Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; genetics ; physiology ; Enterovirus Infections ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; virology ; Humans ; Receptors, Virus ; genetics ; metabolism

The effects of ultrafine grinding on the dissolution rates of the effective components in Sanjie Zhentong capsule (SZC) were studied in this experiment. Fine and ultrafine powder of SZC intermediates were made by ordinary grinding and ultrafine grinding technology, and then granulated by wet granulation. SZC were prepared by fine powder, ultrafine powder and ultrafine granules, respectively. With resveratrol and loureirin B as investigated indexes, dissolution rates of the four intermediates in SZC were determined by cup method and HPLC. The dissolution rates of resveratrol in SZC prepared by fine powder, ultrafine powder and ultrafine granules were 26.11%, 63.27%, 67.49%, respectively; and the dissolution rates of loureirin B were 7.160%, 20.29%, 23.05%, respectively. The dissolution rate of resveratrol and loureirin B in SZC prepared by ultrafine granules was the best. D90 size of ultrafine grinding was 13.221 μm and could improve the dissolution rates of resveratrol and loureirin B in SZC.
Capsules ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Silicones ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the histological changes in liver biopsy tissues taken from chronic hepatitis B patients with HBsAg and HBeAg positive and ALT abnormal after lamivudine therapy for one year.

METHODSLamivudine was given orally at the dose of 100 mg once a day for one year. 101 patients were enrolled into this open-label study. Paired liver biopsies from patients with hepatitis B before and after therapy with lamivudine were studied. Blinded biopsies were evaluated by a histopathologist and scored according to Knodell's histology activity index(HAI).

RESULTS53.5% (54/101), 51.5% (52/101) and 31.7% (32/101) patients had a reduction of their total hepatic HAI score, necroinflammation and fibrosis scores by >or=2 points or 1 points at the end of one year of lamivudine therapy, compared with their pretreatment values, respectively. There were significant reduction of HAI score, necroinflammation and fibrosis scores from 8.0+/-4.7 to 5.2+/-3.3 (t=7.358, P<0.01), from 5.9+/-3.8 to 3.6+/-2.5 (t=7.298, P<0.01), and from 2.1+/-1.2 to 1.6+/-1.2 (t=3.827, P<0.01), respectively. The histological improvement was independent on the HBeAg seroconvertion during the therapy.

CONCLUSIONSignificant improvement in liver histology, both necroinflammation and fibrosis, can be obtained in the majority of patients treated with lamivudine for one year.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; Male

Articular cartilage has limited regeneration capacity, thus significant challenge has been made to restore the functions. The development of hydrogels that can encapsulate and multiply cells, and then effectively maintain the chondrocyte phenotype is a meaningful strategy to this cartilage repair. In this study, we prepared alginate-hyaluronic acid based hydrogel with type I collagen being incorporated, namely Alg-HA-Col composite hydrogel. The incorporation of Col enhanced the chemical interaction of molecules, and the thermal stability and dynamic mechanical properties of the resultant hydrogels. The primary chondrocytes isolated from rat cartilage were cultured within the composite hydrogel and the cell viability recorded revealed active proliferation over a period of 21 days. The mRNA levels of chondrocyte phenotypes, including SOX9, collagen type II, and aggrecan, were significantly up-regulated when the cells were cultured within the Alg-HA-Col gel than those cultured within the Alg-HA. Furthermore, the secretion of sulphated glycosaminoglycan, a cartilage-specific matrix molecule, was recorded higher in the collagen-added composite hydrogel. Although more in-depth studies are required such as the in vivo functions, the currently-prepared Alg-HA-Col composite hydrogel is considered to provide favorable 3-dimensional matrix conditions for the cultivation of chondrocytes. Moreover, the cell-cultured constructs may be useful for the cartilage repair and tissue engineering.
Aggrecans ; Animals ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Cell Survival ; Chondrocytes* ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type II ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Hydrogel* ; Hydrogels ; Phenotype* ; Rats ; Regeneration ; RNA, Messenger ; Tissue Engineering

Cartilage repair is substantially intractable due to poor self-healing ability. Porous microspheres can be a fascinating three-dimensional matrix for cell culture and injectable carrier in cartilage engineering. In this study, we assessed the feasible use of porous biopolymer microspheres for chondrocyte carriers. When seeded onto the blended biopolymer microspheres and followed by a dynamic spinner flask culture, the chondrocytes showed robust growth behaviors during the culture period. The gene expressions of SOX9, type II collagen, and aggrecan were significantly upregulated after 2-week of culture. Furthermore, immunolocalization of type II collagen and secretion of glycosaminolglycan became prominent. The results suggest the feasible usefulness of the porous microspheres as the cell culture matrix and the subsequent delivery into cartilage defects.
Aggrecans ; Biopolymers ; Cartilage* ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Chondrocytes* ; Collagen Type II ; Feasibility Studies* ; Gene Expression ; Microspheres

Brain diseases and damages come in many forms such as neurodegenerative diseases, tumors, and stroke. Millions of people currently suffer from neurological diseases worldwide. While Challenges of current diagnosis and treatment for neurological diseases are the drug delivery to the central nervous system. The Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB) limits the drug from reaching the targeted site thus showing poor effects. Nanoparticles that have advantage of the assembly at the nanoscale of available biomaterials can provide a delivery platform with potential to raising brain levels of either imaging therapeutic drugs or imaging. Therefore, successful modeling of the BBB is another crucial factor for the development of nanodrugs. In this review, we analyze the in vitro and in vivo findings achieved in various models, and outlook future development of nanodrugs for the successful treatment of brain diseases and damages.

This case report describes the diagnosis and endodontic therapy of maxillary fused second and third molars, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A 31-year-old Chinese male, with no contributory medical or family/social history, presented with throbbing pain in the maxillary right molar area following an unsuccessful attempted tooth extraction. Clinical examination revealed what appeared initially to be a damaged large extra cusp on the buccal aspect of the distobuccal cusp of the second molar. However, CBCT revealed that a third molar was fused to the second molar. Unexpectedly, the maxillary left third molar also was fused to the second molar, and the crown of an unerupted supernumerary fourth molar was possibly also fused to the apical root region of the second molar. Operative procedures should not be attempted without adequate radiographic investigation. CBCT allowed the precise location of the root canals of the right maxillary fused molar teeth to permit successful endodontic therapy, confirmed after 6 months.
Adult ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; methods ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fused Teeth ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Maxilla ; Molar ; abnormalities ; Molar, Third ; abnormalities ; Pulpitis ; diagnostic imaging ; Root Canal Therapy ; Tooth Root ; abnormalities ; Tooth, Supernumerary ; diagnostic imaging ; Tooth, Unerupted ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVESome research has shown that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) can decrease the rate of mortality and disability caused by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates. However, the HBO pressure used in the clinical reports and the efficacy of HBO are different. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of HBO therapy under different pressures by observing the changes of peroxidation, antioxidant levels and brain vasomotor regulation factors as well as the score of neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) in neonates with HIE after HBO therapy.

METHODSSixty neonates with HIE were randomly administered with 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6 atmosphere absolute (ATA) of HBO, once daily for seven days. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were measured before and after HBO therapy. Meanwhile, NBNA and eye ground examination were performed.

RESULTSSerum SOD level increased and serum levels of MDA, NO and NOS decreased significantly after HBO therapy in the three HBO therapy groups (P<0.01). Serum SOD level was significantly higher and serum levels of MDA, NO and NOS were significantly lower in the 1.6 ATA HBO group than those in the 1.4 ATA group after therapy (P<0.05). The 1.6 ATA HBO group also showed increased SOD and decreased MDA levels compared with the 1.5 ATA HBO group after therapy (P<0.05). NBNA scores in the three groups increased significantly after HBO therapy (P<0.05). None of the three HBO therapy group patients showed abnormal eye grounds after therapy.

CONCLUSIONSHBO therapy with 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6 ATA is safe and effective for neonatal HIE. The antioxidant capacity increases with the increasing HBO pressure in neonates with HIE.

Female ; Humans ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; Pressure ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the compliance of standard antenatal care (ANC) model with 12-13 visits currently used in Beijing region, and to assess the efficacy of this model in reducing adverse maternal and perinatal complication.

METHODSThe clinical data of 544 women who delivered at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (West Section) from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2002 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Three areas were addressed in this paper: compliance of pregnant women with standard ANC model; association of maternal and perinatal complication with different number of ANC visits; effectiveness of screening for risk factors at the first ANC visit.

RESULTSA median of 8 ANC visits was made in 544 cases, of whom 22 cases (4.0%) never had ANC visit before delivery. The women were divided into three groups according to the status of residence and education levels: temporary residents in Beijing city (group A), permanent residents with middle or low education level (group B), and permanent residents with high education level (group C). The average number of ANC visits in group A was 4.55 +/- 3.1, which was much lower than in group B (8.71 +/- 2.2) and in group C (9.56 +/- 2.1) (P < 0.001). The mean duration of gestation at the first ANC visit in group A was (25.44 +/- 8.8) weeks much longer than (15.58 +/- 5.8) weeks in group B and (14.24 +/- 3.2) weeks in group C (P < 0.001). Among 544 cases, 93 (17.1%) had ANC visit for 0-3 times, 299 (55.0%) for 4-9 times and 152 (27.9%) for > or = 10 times. There was no statistical difference among varied number of ANC visits when the results were pooled for pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, vaginal bleeding at the second and third trimesters, postpartum hemorrhage, fetal macrosomia, premature rupture of membrane, and fetal distress (P > 0.05). An increase in the number of ANC visits was associated with the decreased rates of fetal growth restriction (P < 0.05) and premature delivery (P < 0.05), whereas it was paralleled with increased rates of anemia and cesarean section (P < 0.001). It was found that 35.6% of women who developed maternal and perinatal complications would be identified through screening for risk factors at the first ANC visit.

CONCLUSIONSStandard ANC model is currently not well complied. It has limited efficacy in reducing most maternal and perinatal complications. A more practical and effective ANC model for low educated women and temporary residents needs to be explored.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Patient Compliance ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Pregnancy Outcome ; epidemiology ; Prenatal Care ; standards ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

AIMTo explore the influence of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) preconditioning on anoxic resistance and anti-weariness at high altitude.

METHODS(1) SOD, MDA, NO, NOS, BLA and BUN of 20 youths living at 3 700 m altitude for half year were tested, then they were divided into group A (n=10, received HBO pretreatment twice) and group B (n=10, received HBO pretreatment 5 times) randomly. They were asked to pedal the EMG-bicycle-ergometer at the second and eighth day, and then the same items were tested. (2) 29 youth who would go to Astronomical Spot (5200 m) were randomly divided into group HBO (n=11, received HBO pretreatment once per day for 2 days at Yecheng (1400 m)) and comparison group (n=10). When they reached I Astronomical Spot, thematic biochemical index were investigated. (3) When 20 youth reached Thirty Milepost Barracks (3700 m) at the second day in their way to Immortal Gulf (5380 m) from Yecheng were randomly divided into group HBO (n=10, received HBO pretreatment once per day for 3 days) and comparison group (n=10). When they reached Immortal Gulf, the thematic biochemical index were investigated.

RESULTS(1) SOD, NO, NOS were increased and BLA, BUN, MDA were decrease in group A compared with that in group B until the eighth day, there was significant difference (P < 0.01). (2) SOD, NO, NOS were increased and BLA, BUN, MDA were decrease in group HBO compared with that in comparison that in group, there was significant difference between groups (P < 0.01, or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHBO could enhance the activity of anti-oxidase and the cleared ability of lactic acid, and the effect of anti-weariness could last for 8 days.

Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; prevention & control ; Fatigue ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; methods ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; physiology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Young Adult