OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding and bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets in the treatment of tobacco dependence. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with tobacco dependence who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into an acupoint catgut embedding group and a drug group, 50 cases in each group. In the acupoint catgut embedding group, acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Xinshu (BL 15), Shenmen (HT 7), Tianmei (Extra), Taichong (LR 3), the treatment was given once every 2 weeks for 4 times; The bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets was orally administered in the drug group for 7 weeks, 150 mg each time, once a day for the first 3 days, twice daily from day 4 to day 7, and once a day after day 8. The Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND) score before and after treatment, the 4th and 8th week smoking cessation rate, the continuous smoking cessation rate and efficacy, compliance rate and adverse reaction rate were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were enrolled, and 97 patients completed the study (loss rate was 3%), including 49 cases in the acupoint catgut embedding group and 48 cases in the drug group. The FTND scores in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (both <0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups after treatment (>0.05). At the 4th and the 8th week, the smoking cessation rate in the acupoint catgut embedding group was 40.8% (20/49) and 79.6% (39/49) respectively, the smoking cessation rate in the drug group was 41.7% (20/48) and 83.3% (40/48) respectively, the two groups were equally effective (both >0.05). The continuous smoking cessation rate in the acupoint embedding group was 40.8% (20/49), which was equivalent to 41.7% (20/48) in the drug group (>0.05). The rate of complete compliance in the acupoint embedding group was 61.2% (30/49), which was significantly better than 37.5% (18/48) in the drug group (<0.05). The adverse reaction rate in the acupoint catgut embedding group was 12.2% (6/49), which was significantly lower than 29.2% (16/48) in the drug group (<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupoint catgut embedding can effectively improve the symptoms of tobacco dependence after smoking cessation. Its curative effect is close to that of bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets, and it has good clinical compliance and less adverse reactions.
Acupuncture Points ; Bupropion ; therapeutic use ; Catgut ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Humans ; Tablets ; Tobacco Use Disorder ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: The research progress of new multifunctional bone cement in bone tumor therapy in recent years was reviewed, in order to provide help for the future research of anti-tumor bone cement. METHODS: The related literature on the treatment of bone tumors with new multifunctional bone cement at home and abroad in recent years was extensively reviewed and summarized. RESULTS: The new multifunctional bone cements include those with the functions of photothermotherapy, magnetic thermotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, and antibacterial after operation, which are discussed from the aspects of anti-tumor, drug controlled release, and cytotoxicity. Controlled drug release has been achieved in multifunctional bone cements by adjusting heat and pH or incorporating particles such as chitosan oligosaccharides and γ-cyclodextrin. At present, multifunctional bone cement with hyperthermia, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy has effectively inhibited the local recurrence and distant metastasis of bone tumors. Broadening the application of bone cement for photothermal and magnetic thermal therapy to deeper bone tumors, investigating more precise controlled release of drug-loaded bone cement, and introducing nanoparticles with both thermal conversion and intrinsic enzymatic activities into bone cement for synergistic anti-tumor therapy are promising research directions. CONCLUSION The new multifunctional bone cement inhibits bone tumor cells, promotes new bone formation in bone defects, and prevents incision infection after tumor resection. Certain progress has been made in anti-tumor, antibacterial, drug-controlled release, and reduction of cytotoxicity. Expanding the deeper application range of the new multifunctional bone cement, verifying the safety in clinical application, and focusing on the individualized treatment of the new multifunctional bone cement are the problems that need to be solved in the future.
Humans ; Bone Cements/therapeutic use* ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Bone Neoplasms/therapy* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Nanoparticles/therapeutic use*

Modified Release (MR) tacrolimus is an extended release formulation of tacrolimus (Prograf (R) ) administered once daily in the morning. In healthy volunteers, the MR tacrolimus formulation given qd AM and Prograf administered twice daily (bid) have a similar exposure (AUC) and trough levels (Cmin), with a reduced peak level (Cmax). Subsequently, pharmacokinetic studies were performed in stable kidney and liver transplant recipients converted from Prograf bid to MR tacrolimus qd AM. The steady-state tacrolimus exposure and target trough level range of MR tacrolimus were equivalent to Prograf after a mg-for-mg daily dose conversion in these two groups of patients, and there is a high correlation of exposure to trough levels for both Prograf and MR tacrolimus, as well as significantly less intra-subject variability in exposure after conversion to MR tacrolimus. These results indicate that stable kidney and liver transplant recipients can be safely converted from standard Prograf twice daily dosing to the same mg- for-mg daily dose of MR tacrolimus once daily in the morning. Hopefully a once daily dosing regimen of tacrolimus can improve patient compliance while maintaining effective immunosuppression.
Delayed-Action Preparations ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents/*administration & dosage/therapeutic use ; *Kidney Transplantation ; *Liver Transplantation ; Tacrolimus/*administration & dosage/therapeutic use

OBJECTIVE: To prepare an injectable hydrogel/staple fiber composite loaded with combretastain A-4 disodium phosphate (CA4P) and doxorubicin (DOX) and evaluate its antitumor efficacy via intratumoral injection. METHODS: DOX-loaded PELA staple fibers (F_DOX) were prepared using electro-spinning and cryo-cutting, and the drug distribution on the surface of the fibers was observed using a fluorescence microscope, and the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of F_DOX were determined with a fluorospectro photometer. The fibers were then dispersed in CA4P-loaded PLGA-PEG-PLGA tri-block polymer solution at room temperature to obtain the hydrogel/staple fiber composite (G_CA4P/F_DOX). The thermo-sensitivity of this composite was determined by a test tube inverting method. An ultraviolet spectrophotometer and a fluorospectrophotometer were used to detect the release profile of CA4P and DOX, respectively. We observed in vivo gel formation of the composite after subcutaneous injection in mice. The in vitro cytotoxicity of G_CA4P/F_DOX composite in MCF-7 and 4T1 cells was assessed using cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) reagent. In a mouse model bearing breast tumor 4T1 cell xenograft, we evaluated the antitumor efficacy of the composite by monitoring tumor growth within 30 days after intratumoral injection of the composite. HE staining, immunohistochemistry for Ki67 and immunofluorescence (TUNEL) assay were used for pathological examination of the tumor tissues 21 days after the treatments. RESULTS: The average length of F_DOX was 4.0±1.3 μm, and its drug loading capacity was (2.69±0.35)% with an encapsulation efficiency of (89.70±0.12)%. DOX was well distributed on the surface of the fibers. When the temperature increased to 37 ℃, the composite rapidly solidified to form a gel in vitro. Drug release behavior test showed that CA4P was completely released from the composite in 5 days and 87% of DOX was released in 30 days. After subcutaneous injection, the composite solidified rapidly without degradation at 24 h after injection. After incubation with G_CA4P/F_DOX for 72 h, only 30.6% of MCF-7 cells and 28.9% of 4T1 cells were viable. In the tumor-bearing mice, the tumor volume was 771.9±76.9 mm³ in G_CA4P/F_DOX treatment group at 30 days. Pathological examination revealed obvious necrosis of the tumor tissues and tumor cell apoptosis induced by intratumoral injection of G_4A4P/F_DOX. CONCLUSION As an efficient dual drug delivery system, this hydrogel/staple fiber composite provides a new strategy for local combined chemotherapy of solid tumors.
Animals ; Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Delayed-Action Preparations/therapeutic use* ; Doxorubicin/therapeutic use* ; Female ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Hydrogels/therapeutic use* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Phosphates

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles as drug carrier have become the new hot point in the field of biomedical application in recent years. This review focuses on the more recent developments and achievements on experimental design aspect of mesoporous silica nanoparticles with cancer diagnosis and therapy. The key advances of functionalization strategies of mesoporous silica nanoparticles with controlled release, tumor targeting and overcoming multidrug resistance are discussed in particular. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles as unique delivery systems have the potential to provide significantly a sound platform for cancer theranostic application.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Nanoparticles ; Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Porosity ; Silicon Dioxide

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of sustained-release alpha-lipoic acid tablets (SRLA) on blood lipid, glucose and insulin levels in hyperlipidemic New Zealand rabbits.

METHODSTwenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomized into normal diet group, high-fat diet group, and high-fat diet + SRLA (300 mg/tablet) group with corresponding feed. At the beginning and 4 weeks after the feeding, the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), blood glucose, and serum insulin were measured, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was calculated.

RESULTSFour weeks after feeding with high-fat diet, the insulin levels was elevated and the ISI lowered in the New Zealand rabbits, indicating successful establishment of the animal model of hyperlipidemia. Compared with the high-fat diet group, the serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C and insulin were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the ISI was significantly increased (P<0.05) in high fat diet + SRLA group. But no statistically significant difference was found in the blood glucose among the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONSRLA can significantly correct blood lipid and insulin disorders in hyperlipidemic New Zealand rabbits and prevent the occurrence of insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Rabbits ; Tablets ; Thioctic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) combined with GnRH analogue (GnRH-a) in the treatment of adenomyosis with uterine body enlargement.

METHODSTwelve women (mane age 40.3 years) with adenomyosis and uterine cavity depth over 11 cm received injections of GnRH-a every 4 weeks, and after the uterine cavity depth was reduced to below 10 cm, LNG-IUS was deployed. VAS pain score, PBAC bleeding score, uterine volume, and hemoglobin levels of the women were measured before the treatment and at 6 and 12 months after LNG-IUS placement.

RESULTSThe VAS pain score was significantly lowered at 6 and 12 month after LNG-IUS placement (P<0.05), and the PBAC bleeding score also showed significant reductions (P<0.05). The uterine volume decreased significantly at 6 and 12 months after LNG-IUS placement as compared with that before the treatment, but was significantly greater at 6 month in comparison with that at the time of LNG-IUS placement (P<0.05). Serum hemoglobin levels underwent significant increments after LNG-IUS placement (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLNG-IUS combined with GnRH analogue injection can be effective in the treatment of adenomyosis with dysmenorrhea and hypermenorrhea.

Adult ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; administration & dosage ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Endometriosis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Levonorgestrel ; administration & dosage ; Uterine Diseases ; drug therapy

Regional lymph node recurrence is no longer the prominent concern regarding the prognosis of gastric cancer patients since the establishment of the standard D2 dissection procedure. Peritoneal metastasis has become the most prominent clinical problem. The treatment strategy for peritoneal metastasis includes intraperitoneal chemotherapy, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and intraperitoneal chemotherapy with drug delivery systems. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy has pharmacokinetic advantage when used in combination with drug delivery systems. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy with drug delivery systems is an effective treatment and prevention method.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Humans ; Peritoneal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology

BACKGROUNDAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders during childhood, characterized by the core symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention and puts great burden on children themselves, their families and the society. Osmotic release oral system methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) is a once-daily controlled-release formulation developed to overcome some of the limitations associated with immediate-release methylphenidate (IR-MPH). It has been marketed in China since 2005 but still lacks data from large-sample clinical trials on efficacy and safety profiles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of OROS-MPH in children aged 6 to 16 years with ADHD under naturalistic clinical setting.

METHODSThis 6-week, multi-center, prospective, open-label study enrolled 1447 ADHD children to once-daily OROS-MPH (18 mg, 36 mg or 54 mg) treatment. The effectiveness measures were parent-rated Inattention and Overactivity With Aggression (IOWA) Conners I/O and O/D subscales, physician-rated CGI-I and parent-rated global efficacy assessment scale. Blood pressure, pulse rate measurement, adverse events (AEs) and concomitant medications and treatment review were conducted by the investigator and were served as safety measures.

RESULTSA total of 1447 children with ADHD (mean age (9.52 ± 2.36) years) were enrolled in this trial. Totally 96.8% children received an OROS-MPH modal dose of 18 mg, 3.1% with 36 mg and 0.1% with 54 mg at the endpoint of study. The parent IOWA Conners I/O score at the end of week 2 showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) improvement with OROS-MPH (mean: 6.95 ± 2.71) versus the score at baseline (10.45 ± 2.72). The change in the parent IOWA Conners O/D subscale, CGI-I and parent-rated global efficacy assessment scale also supported the superior efficacy for OROS-MPH treatment. Fewer than half of 1447 patients (511(35.3%)) reported AEs, and the majority of the events reported were mild (68.2%). No serious adverse events were reported during the study.

CONCLUSIONThis open-label, naturalistic study provides further evidence of effectiveness and safety of OROS-MPH in school-aged children under routine practice.

Adolescent ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; drug therapy ; Child ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methylphenidate ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy of intraperitoneally injected epirubicin (EPI)-loaded poly (d, l)-lactic acid (PLA) microspheres (MS) alone or combined with free epirubicin (FEPI) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in mice.

METHODSMice that were transplanted with H22 ascites HCC were randomized into seven groups, which were intraperitoneally injected with blank microspheres, normal saline, three different doses of microspheres (9, 18, and 36 mg/kg EPI) , FEPI (9 mg/kg) , and the combination (microspheres with EPI 4.5 mg/kg + FEPI 4.5 mg/kg). The survival time of all animals was recorded. The rates of increase in life span of all the treatment groups were calculated.

RESULTSEPI-PLA-MS significantly prolonged the survival time of HCC mice in a dose-dependent manner, with a maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of 18 - 36 mg/kg. The combination group had the highest average survival time, median survival time, and rate of increase in life span, which were (40.0 +/- 16.9) days, 33.5 days, and 222.58%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONEPI-PLA-MS combined with FEPI is highly effective in treating HCC in mice when intraperitoneally injected.

Animals ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Epirubicin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Infusions, Parenteral ; Lactic Acid ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Microspheres ; Polyesters ; Polymers