OBJECTIVE: To characterize morphology and drug release kinetics of protein-loaded poly(?-caprolactone)/poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(?-caprolactone) amphiphilic block copolymeric (PCE) microspheres, and elucidate the mechanistic details regarding protein release. METHODS: BSA-loaded PCE microspheres were prepared using a water-in-oil-in-water, followed by solvent evaporation. Morphology of the polymer microspheres was observed using scanning electron microscopy. Protein loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency were determined by extracting the proteins from the microspheres and measured using MicroBCA method. Protein release kinetics was characterized by cumulative release against the date of release incubation. RESULTS: The protein-loaded PCE microspheres were spherical and possess smooth surface under SEM. Protein loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency in the microspheres were independent of PCE molecular weight. However, the kinetic features of the protein release varied significantly with PCE molecular weight, suggesting a diffusion-degradation combined release mechanism. For the microspheres made of larger molecular weight PCE 4000, the portion of protein release attributed to diffusion from the polymer matrix was remarkably less than that from microspheres of small molecular weight PCE. In vitro release profile can be simulated using a diffusion-degradation model(Q=k1t1/2+k2t+k3t2+k4t3)(r=0.997). CONCLUSION: PCE microsphere formulation can offer sustainedrelease of proteins with initial burst and incomplete release reduced to acceptable level.

Female ; Hemophilia A ; complications ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myasthenia Gravis ; complications

Adult ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

Organophosphate chemicals are widely used as agricultural pesticides and war reagents, their biodegradation is emphasized on the theoretical and practical aspects. Organophosphate hydrolases play important roles in the biodegradation of organophosphate chemicals. Great advancement was achieved recently in the determination of crystal structure and catalytic mechanisms of the hydrolase. This paper reviewed the research progresses in the enzymology, protein structure, catalytic mechanisms and application of the organophosphate hydrolase, and predicted the future research in this field.

Objective　To evaluate the therapeutic effect of rapid angulation rotation traction for lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. Methods　A total of 88 patients (66 male and 22 female;age: 18-65), with a history of 2 days to 10 years were analyzed. Among them 20 cases were central protrusion 68 cases were lateral protrusion. Traction range: 60-65 mm, angle: 20°-25°, rotation degree: 20°-25°, traction time: 3 s-1 min. The process of treatment was computer designed. The traction was then 1 to 3 times, with a interval of 4-7 days between two treatments. Results　The effective rate was 96% for the case with history <1 month 96% and 85% for cases with history >1 month (P<0.01). The effective rate was 62% for central protrusion, and 87% for lateral protrusion respectively. χ2 test showed the difference was not significant. Conclusion　The rapid angulation rotation is an effective treatment for lumbar inter-vertebral disc protrusion and this non operative method should be used as early as possible.

To evaluate the adjuvant effect of recombinant enterovirus 71 (EV71) subunit vaccine formulated with chitosan, rabbits were orally immunized with recombinant VP1 (rVP1) or rVP1 mixed with chitosan adjuvant. Levels of virus-specific IgG and IgA antibodies in sera, mucosal wash buffer (intestine, nasal cavity, and lung), and feces were determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The titers of neutralizing antibodies against EV71 were determined using cytopathic effect-based neutralizing assay, and levels of cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-4) secreted from in vitro-cultured rabbit splenic lymphocytes under antigen stimulation were also determined by ELISA. Results showed that immunization with rVP1 alone could only induce low levels of serum IgG and mucosal IgA, while rVP1 combined with chitosan adjuvant were able to induce significantly higher levels of antibodies, rVP1 can only induce neutralizing antibodies when used in combination with chitosan. Levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the group immunized with rVP1 plus chitosan were significantly higher than those in the group immunized with rVP1 only or those in the control groups. Our study lays the foundation for development of oral VP1 vaccine against EV71 infection.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Chitosan ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; genetics ; immunology ; Enterovirus Infections ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Rabbits ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Subunit ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Proteins ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To analyze the law of the mid﹣term hepatic hemodynamics after liver transplantation and to investigate its relationship with liver function. Methods A total of 56 recipients underwent liver transplantation in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from February 2014 to October 2015 were studied,and divided into normal group (n =24)and abnormal group (n =32)according to the liver function.General information and liver function of both groups were recorded.Furthermore,hepatic artery peak velocity (HAP),portal vein peak velocity (PVP)and portal vein flow (PVF)before the liver transplantation and on postoperative day 1,30 and 90 were measured through ultrasonic detection;hepatic arterial buffer capacity (BC)and adjustment BC were calculated.The univariable and multivariable analysis were performed to analyze the relationship between hepatic hemodynamics and liver function in two groups,and the receiver operating curve (ROC)was drawn. Results The PVP and PVF on postoperative day 30 in abnormal group were significantly higher than those of normal group (P =0.014,0.049).The BC and adjustment BC in normal group were significantly higher than those of abnormal group (P =0.048,0.011).The multivariable analysis showed that adjustment BC was the independent risk factor (P =0.047),with the area under the curve (AUC)of ROC of 0.705,sensitivity of 0.652 and specificity of 0.750. Conclusions PVP,PVF,BC and adjustment BC on postoperative day 30 may be related to abnormal liver function,of which adjustment BC can be used as one of the indicators for diagnosis and intervention of abnormal liver function.

Objective: This is a review of our cases and published literature on cheiro-oral syndrome (COS), to better understand its localization, etiology and outcome. Methods: In addition to our database, we reviewed the medical database (including PUBMED, BIOSIS, EMBASE, and SCOPUS) and other sources, searched by the keyword of “cheiro-oral”. The defi nition of COS was a subjective or an objective sensory disturbance confi ned to the perioral area and the fi nger(s)/hand without a detectable abnormality in mental, motor or cerebellar function. Only cases of COS where the clinicoanatomic correlation could be identifi ed by neuroimaging study, autopsy or stereotatic surgery was included. Results: There were a total of 174 patients; 85 patients from our database, 76 patients from medical database, and 13 patients from other sources. They were 111 men and 63 women. Their age ranged from 12 to 85 years; average being 58.2 years. Stroke is the leading etiology and constituted 74% of the patients. The most common location of lesion was thalamus, followed by pons and cortex. Classical unilateral COS was seen in 81% of patients, atypical COS in 19%. Whereas the lesions were from cortex to cervical spinal cord in unilateral COS, atypical COS was associated with lesions in pons or medulla oblongata. An early deterioration was seen in 16.5% of patients, especially in large cortical infarction and subdural hemorrhage. Structural lesions were found in 85% of patients. Conclusion: Classical unilateral COS do not have a high localizing value, the atypical COS is associated with lesion in pons or medulla.

AIMTo approach the effects of multi-site synchronous ventricular pacing on myocardial mechanics and cardiac work.

METHODSFive modes of multi-site synchronous ventricular pacing were randomly performed in 12 dogs with anesthetized, opened chest and artificial-ventilation. Some parameters were measured simultaneously including: the peak of left ventricular pressure rise and fall (+/- dp/ dt(max)), the time constant of left ventricular relaxation(tau), the muscle tensile force in left/right ventricular wall (V-tensile force, V-TF), SV, LVSW and RVSW.

RESULTSThe myocardial systolic mechanical parameters: +dp/dt(max) and LV-TF of cHisB-LVPL and RVA-LVPL pacing by biventricular pacing modes were increased than that of cHisB-RVA pacing in right ventricular bifocal pacing mode. +dp/dt(max) in above two groups of biventricular pacing was increased than that in cHisB-RVA pacing. Tau value of cHisB-LVPL and RVA-LVPL pacing modes were shorted than that of cHisB-RVA pacing. The above parameters of cHisB-RVA-LVPL and cHisB-RVA-LVA biventricular trifocal pacing were superior to that of cHisB-LVPL and RVA-LVPL biventricular pacing. The +dp/dt(max), LV-TF and RV-TF of cHisB-RVA-LVPL pacing were increased as compared with that of cHisB-RVA-LVA pacing (P > 0.05). The -dp/dt(max) in cHisB-RVA-LVPL pacing were increased by 6.0% and tau value was shorted by 3.7% compared with those in cHisB-RVA-LVA pacing (P > 0.05). SV, LVSW and RVSW of cHisB-LVPL and RVA-LVPL biventricular pacing were increased than those of cHisB-RVA bifocal pacing. The above parameters of cHisB-RVA-LVPL pacing were increased than that of cHisB-RVA-LVA and cHisB-LVPL pacing.

CONCLUSIONIt was explained that the cHisB-RVA-LVPL biventricular trifocal sites synchronous pacing mode would increase the velocity of ejection and filling during myocardial contraction and relaxation and enhance cardiac work by maintaining normal VSS.

Animals ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; methods ; Dogs ; Female ; Heart ; physiology ; Heart Ventricles ; Male ; Myocardium

AIMTo study the effects of hypoxic preconditioning on anoxic tolerance and Jun expression in cultured rat hippocampal neurons after anoxia/reoxygenation.

METHODS12 day cultured hippocampal neurons in control and hypoxic preconditioning group were exposed to anoxic environment (0.90L/L N2 + 0.10 L/L CO2) for 4 h, and then reoxygenated for either 24 h or 72 h. The neurons were immunocytochemically stained using the antiserum against Jun. The number of survival neurons and the percentage of Jun expressing neurons were investigated.

RESULTSThe percentage of Jun expressing neurons induced by anoxia in hypoxic-preconditioning group was significantly less than that in control group. The number of survival neurons was more in the hypoxic-preconditioning group than that in control group after anoxic reoxygenation.

CONCLUSIONHypoxic-preconditioning can induce the development of anoxic-tolerance in cultured hippocampal neurons. The decrease in Jun expressing neurons in hippocampus may be an adaptive reaction to acute anoxia.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Genes, jun ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar