Objective:To prepare DEET-ethylcellulose microsphere(DEET-EC) and observe its properties to retard volatilization of DEET. Methods: DEET-EC was prepared with solvent evaporation method. DEET was dissolved in CH 2Cl 2 with EC served as dispersed phase and 1% PVA water solution as continuous phase. The dispersed phase was added into the continuous phase with stirring rate at 1 000 r/min. The stirring rate was changed into 600 r/min after 30 min, and was kept until CH 2Cl 2 was entirely volatilized. After being watered, precipitated and lyophilized for 12 h, DEET-EC was derived, and the shape was observed with electron microscope. The particle size distribution was detected in 500 microspheres with optical microscope. HPLC method was established to determine the embedding ratio and loaded ratio of DEET-EC microsphere. Chromatograph conditions: Diamonsil ODS column (150 mm?4.6 mm), CH 3OH∶H 2O=65∶35 as mobile phase at 1 ml/min, the detected wavelength 210 nm. Results: The DEET-EC was egg-white and had spherical shape. Almost 90% of the MS distributed in 30-70 ?m, while ( ar ) and ( v ) were 49.6 ?m and 51.2 ?m, respectively. The loading ratio was 18.7% and the embedding ratio was 56.1%(n=6). Conclusion: The solvent evaporation method is convenient and simple to prepare DEET-EC microsphere.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; etiology ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Female ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Prosthesis Failure

BACKGROUND:Correlation between subchondral bone and articular cartilage in the process of osteoarthritis has not been fuly elucidated. Degeneration of cartilage is the focus of attention, and the subchondral bone also plays an important role in the process of osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To observe the differences between experimental osteoarthritis models in rabbit knees established by two kinds of surgical methods and two kinds of proteases inducing methods, and to explore the correlation between subchondral bone mass and degeneration of cartilage. METHODS:Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were randomly and averagely divided into four groups: Hulth group (group A), anterior cruciate ligament transaction group (group B), colagenase type II group (group C) and papain group (group D). The right knees of rabbits were established as osteoarthritis models, and the left knees served as controls. Bone mineral density of the knee joint was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning at 0, 4 and 8 weeks after modeling. The rabbits were sacrificed at 8 weeks after MRI scanning, bilateral knee joints were harvested for general and histological observation. Quantitative analysis was done according to Mankin scores. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Bone mineral density of the right knees decreased at 0, 4 and 8 weeks after modeling, and the rank was as folows: group A > group B > group C > group D. MRI scanning showed that the articular cartilage thickness of the medial and lateral femoral condyle on the right knees became thinner compared with the left side, and the rank was as folows: group A < group B < group C < group D. Observation by specimens and pathological slices showed that the articular cartilage degeneration of the surgery groups worsened, group A was the most serious one, and group 1D was the lightest. Both surgery and proteases inducing methods can successfuly establish osteoarthritis models in rabbit knees. Surgery inducing models resemble the advanced or intermediate stage of osteoarthritis, while the proteases inducing models resemble the early stage of osteoarthritis. Degeneration of the articular cartilage and changes of subchondral bone are related in progressive development.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is involved in autoimmune destruction of islet beta cells, which has been proven to be an important underlying pathogenesis for insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a widely distributed neuropeptide, which has been found to play an important role in protecting myocytes from ROS. We hypothesized that exogenous CGRP gene administration before the pathogenic stage of insulitis might suppress the production of ROS and provide a hopeful therapeutic intervention for autoimmune diabetes. We performed CGRP gene transfer by injecting naked plasmid directly into skeletal muscles of mice with electroporation enhancement to achieve a continuous expression of CGRP in skeletal muscles, and thereby its secretion into the circulation. The effect of CGRP gene transfer on the pathogenesis of diabetes was studied in autoimmune diabetic mice induced by multiple low dose streptozotocin (MLDS). The CGRP gene therapy decreased morbidity of autoimmune diabetes, and significantly ameliorated hyperglycemia in these mice. CGRP gene transfer inhibited the production of ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, it enhanced the activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) significantly. The data suggest that intramuscular CGRP gene transfer ameliorates autoimmune destruction of islet beta cells, resulting in significant reduction in diabetes incidence of MLDS diabetes mice. CGRP benefits might be mediated at least in part by inhibiting the oxidative stress in islet beta cells of these mice.
Animals ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; therapeutic use ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; prevention & control ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; prevention & control ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Islets of Langerhans ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Pancreas ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Transgenes ; genetics

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is main regulatory enzyme for pentose phosphate pathway. To amplify the core sequence of G6PDH gene from Chimonanthus praecox, the primers were synthesized, based on the conserved nucleotide sequence of other reported plant G6PDH genes. The specific primers were designed according to the major fragment. The full length cDNA of the G6PDH1 gene was isolated by the 3' and 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends approach. Transcript levels of G6PDH1 isoform was measured by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in different tissues and in responds to cold treatment. The G6PDH1 subcellular localization, transmembrane domain, three-dimensional structure, and phylogenetic analysis were predicted by different software to analysis the bioinformatics of G6PDH1 protein. The G6PDH1 cDNA sequence was 2 011 bp in length and consisted of 1 551 bp Open Reading Frame (ORF) , encoding a protein of 516 amino acids. Expression analysis results in different tissues showed that G6PDH1 was primarily observed in flowers and roots, as opposed to the leaves and stems. Cold treatment experiments indicated that cold treatment caused a rapid increase in G6PDH1 expression in flowers within 12 h. The full-length cDNA of G6PDH1 and its expression analysis will play an important role for further study on cold stress responses in Ch. praecox.
Calycanthaceae ; chemistry ; classification ; enzymology ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Enzyme Stability ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Models, Molecular ; Open Reading Frames ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of biological zinc in the treatment of male infertility with chronic prostatitis (MICP).

METHODSThirty-eight patients with MICP were treated with biological zinc. The zinc concentration in the semen and the seminal parameters were tested before and after using biological zinc.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the zinc concentration in the semen was increased markedly, and the semen liquefaction and the sperm motility were also improved in the patients who had received biological zinc supplementation as compared with those who had not (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that biological zinc has the effect of increasing zinc concentration in semen, and the supplementation of biological zinc for one of the effective methods for the treatment of MICP.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Prostatitis ; complications ; drug therapy ; Semen ; metabolism ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Zinc ; metabolism ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from the roots and rhizomes of Clematis hexapetala.

METHODThe compounds were separated by means of solvent extraction, repeated chromatography with silica gel and HPLC. The structures were determined by spectral analysis.

RESULTNine compounds were isolated as friedelin (1) , anemonin (2) , beta-sitosterol (3) , palmitic acid (4) , vanillic acid (5) , isolariciresinol (6) , 5-hydroxumethyl-5H-furan-2-one (7) , n-nonane (8) , daucosterol (9).

CONCLUSIONAll the compounds were isolated from the plant for the first time.

Clematis ; chemistry ; Furans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Lignin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Naphthols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Palmitic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the biocompatibility of nano-silver base inorganic antibacterial agents and compare the cytotoxicity in vitro among six types of nano-silver base inorganic antibacterial agents.

METHODSFUMAT T200-4, HN300, Novaron, Kangwang, MOD and SR1000 were diluted to different concentrations, such as 100 g/L, 50 g/L, 25 g/L and 12.5 g/L. The cytotoxicity in vitro of these agents on rat's fibroblast was assayed with MTT method. And the grades of cytotoxicity were compared.

RESULTSHigh concentrations of nano-silver base inorganic antibacterial agents had cytotoxic effects on rat's fibroblasts L-929. As the concentration decreased, the cytotoxicity decreased. No cytotoxic effects were observed at or below the concentration of 25 g/L. FUMAT T200-4, Kongwang and SR1000, with the carrier of phosphate zirconium, had less cytotoxity than the others.

CONCLUSIONSNano-Silver base inorganic antibacterial agents, such as FUMAT T200-4, Kangwang, SR1000, have good biocompatibility. And they have the possibility of clinical application. The safe concentration of these agents is at or below 25 g/L.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Cell Line ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Nanostructures ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Rats ; Silver Compounds ; administration & dosage ; classification ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of a continuous infusion of low-dose dexmedetomidine on patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with fentanyl in elderly patients after total hip replacement.

METHODSForty patients (ASA I-II) aged 66-81 years after total hip replacement were randomized equally into the control and test groups. The patients in the test group received continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine at the rate of 0.2 µg·kg(-1)·h(-1) from the beginning to the end of PCA with fentanyl after the surgery, while those in the control group received normal saline. The cumulative fentanyl dose, VAS pain scores and Ramsay sedation score were recorded at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after the surgery.

RESULTSAll the patients in the two groups reported good pain relief and none needed additional fentanyl. The VAS pain score was significantly lower (P<0.05 or 0.01), while the Ramsay sedation scores higher (P<0.05) in the test group than in the control group. The cumulative fentanyl dose was significantly lower in the test group (P<0.05 or 0.01). The incidence of such adverse effects as nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in the test group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPCA with fentanyl combined with low-dose dexmedetomidine infusion is safe for elderly patients, and can decrease fentanyl consumption and improve the effect of PCA with fentanyl.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; methods ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Dexmedetomidine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fentanyl ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy

Objective To establish a quick,economical and reproducible method for high-quality RNA extraction from pancreas.Methods We utilized TRIzol Reagent and liquid nitrogen to isolate total RNA from the rat pancreas.The RNA quality was determined by detection of its content and optic density(A) at 260/280nm,and electrophoresis in 1% non-denatured agarose gel.Then reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was performed to detect expression of the pancreas-specific genes.Results The content of the total RNA extracted from the rat pancreas reached 3-6?g/mg pancreatic tissues,and A260/280 ratio was 1.75-1.89.Electrophoresis of the total RNA showed 28S and 18S rRNA bands with clear smear between them.The RT-PCR products of pancreas-specific genes including insulin 1,glucagon,?-amylase and housekeeping gene ?-actin all exhibited clear bands on 1% agarose gel,which were located in the expected positions,respectively.Conclusion These results suggest that we have successfully isolated the high-quality and intact RNA from the rat pancreas with TRIzol Reagent and liquid nitrogen.The extracted total RNA can be used in RT-PCR for pancreatic gene expression.