Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paresthesia ; Pharyngeal Diseases ; Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

Objective To investigate the relationship among the proliferation of CD4+T cells, the intracellular levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-?1(TGF-?1), and allergic bronchial asthma. Methods Dermatophagoides farinae antigen were prepared as allergen. Twenty-five patients with asthma and 15 healthy individuals were enrolled and divided into blank control group, allergen group and self control group, respectively, after venous blood sample collection. The proliferation of CD4+T cells and the distributions of CD4+/IL-10+, CD4+/TGF-?+1 and CD4+/IL-10+/TGF-?+1 were measuredby flow cytometry (FCM). Results The distributions of CD4+/IL-10+, CD4+/TGF-?+1 and CD4+/IL-10+/TGF-?+1 could hardly be detected in the peripheral blood samples of the blank controls of the patients with asthma and healthy ones. In the allergen group of the healthy individuals, the peripheral blood CD4+T cells were significantly proliferated, and the proportions of CD4+T cells andCD4+/IL-10+ cells were much higher than the self control group, while there was no significantly increase in the proportions of CD4+/TGF-?+1 and CD4+/IL-10+/TGF-?+1 subgroups. In the allergen group of those with asthma, the proportions of peripheral blood CD4+, CD4+/IL-10+, CD4+/TGF-?+1 and CD4+/IL-10+/TGF-?+1 cells were not found significantly increased compared with those self controls. After being activated by allergen, the proportion of peripheral blood CD4+/IL-10+ cells was significantly lower in the patients with asthma than the healthy individuals(P

This article mainly summarise the results of the chemical compositions and their pharmacological activities of Arnebiae Radix since 1966. The chemistry components isolated from Arnebiae Radix are mainly naphthoquinone, monoterpene phenol and quinone, phenolic acids and their salts, alkaloids, aliphatic and esters. Pharmacological results showed that the chemical compositions and the extracts of Arnebiae Radix have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, hepatoprotection, antioxidant, anti-tumor and immune function and other activities. This article hopefully to provide a reference for further research, development and utilization of Arnebiae Radix.
Animals ; Boraginaceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

The present study is to establish Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells and investigate the transport capability of PLGA nanoparticles with different surface chemical properties across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells. PLGA-NPs, mPEG-PLGA-NPs and chitosan coated PLGA-NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation method using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as carrier material with surface modified by methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) and chitosan. The particle size and zeta potential of nanoparticles were measured by dynamic light scattering. Coumarin 6 was used as a fluorescent marker in the transport of nanoparticles investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The transport of furanodiene (FDE) loaded nanoparticles was quantitively determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Colchicine and nocodazole were used in the transport study to explore the involved endocytosis mechanisms of nanoparticles. Distribution of the tight junction proteins ZO-1 was also analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that the nanoparticles dispersed uniformly. The zeta potential of PLGA-NPs was negative, the mPEG-PLGA-NPs was close to neutral and the CS-PLGA-NPs was positive. The entrapment efficiency of FDE in all nanoparticles was higher than 75%. The transport capability of mPEG-PLGA-NPs across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells was higher than that of PLGA-NPs and CS-PLGA-NPs. Colchicine and nocodazole could significantly decrease the transport amount of nanoparticles. mPEG-PLGA-NPs could obviously reduce the distribution of ZO-1 protein than PLGA-NPs and CS-PLGA-NPs. The transport mechanism of PLGA-NPs and mPEG-PLGA-NPs were indicated to be a combination of endocytosis and paracellular way, while CS-PLGA-NPs mainly relied on the endocytosis way. PEG coating could shield the surface charge and enhance the hydrophilicity of PLGA nanoparticles, which leads mPEG-PLGA-NPs to possess higher anti-adhesion activity. As a result, mPEG-PLGA-NPs could penetrate the mucus layer rapidly and transport across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells.
Biological Transport ; Caco-2 Cells ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; chemistry ; Coculture Techniques ; Drug Carriers ; Furans ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; metabolism ; HT29 Cells ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) modified bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA) on the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in human renal mesangial cells (HRMCs).

METHODSHRMCs were cultured in vitro with medium containing different doses of AGE-BSA or BSA (50,100, 200, 400 mg/L) for 48 hours, or with AGE-BSA (200 mg/L) for different times (12, 24, 48, 72 h). Immunocytochemistry assay was used to estimate the protein level of RAGE. The ROS in cells were measured by flow cytometry and the mRNA expression of MCP-1 were analyzed by semi-quantiative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after treatment with AGE-BSA or BSA.

RESULTSThe protein level of RAGE was upregulated in the HRMCs with AGE-BSA. The expression of ROS and MCP-1 significantly enhanced by incubation of AGE-BSA in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The effects of AGE-BSA-induced up-regulation of ROS and MCP-1 level was significantly blocked by neutralizing antibodies to RAGE, while the expression of ROS and MCP-1 stood nearly unchanged after cultured with huamn IgG.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of ROS and MCP-1 in HRMCs is induced by AGE-BSA through RAGE, which may have potential effects in the pathgenic mechanism of diabetic nephropathy.

Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products ; Receptors, Immunologic ; metabolism ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; pharmacology

Objective To study the bioavailability and bioequivalence of erythromycin ethylsuccinate granules in healthy male volunteers.Methods In a randomized two-period crossover study,20 healthy male volunteers received single 500 mg test and reference formulations of erythromyein ethylsuccinate granules.The plasma concentrations of erythromycin were assayed by microbiological method.Results The parameters of test and reference preparations were as follows:T_(max)(0.86?0.22)and (0.80?0.13)h,C_(max)(2.13?0.64)and(2.16?0.61)mg/L,t_(1/2)(2.04?0.2)and(1.97?0.4)h,AUC_(0-t)(4.96?1.73)and(4.63?1.52)mg?h/L,respectively.There was no significant difference between the two preparations.The rela- tive bioavailahility of the test granules was(109.1?22.8)%.Conclusions The two preparations of erythromycin ethylsucci- nate granules are bioequivalent.

OBJECTIVETo prepare andrographolide composite particles, and evaluate their particle structure and dissolution.

METHODThe mechanical crushing method was adopted to prepare andrographolide and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 composite particles. The structures were characterized by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The contact angles were determined by the contact angle analyzer. The in vitro dissolution curve was detected.

RESULTAndrographolide and PEG 6000 gave rise to coated composite particle structures, with the decrease in the crystallinity of andrographolide. The in vitro dissolution rate of composite particles was significantly obvious than that of its raw materials, ultrafine powder and their physical mixtures.

CONCLUSIONAndrographolide composite particles based on the mechanical crushing method could notably enhance the in vitro dissolution of andrographolide.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Solubility ; Torsion, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of a self-made guiding needle of steel wire in guiding the wire through the tibial tunnel for the treatment of avulsion fractures of tibial posterior cruciate ligament with open reduction and wire fixation.

METHODSFrom February 2011 to June 2014, a total of 22 patients with avulsion fractures of tibial posterior cruciate ligament underwent surgical treatments were analyzed, including 14 males and 8 females with an average age of 35.6 years old (ranged, 17 to 63 years old). According to Meyers classification, 9 patients were classified as type II, 13 patients were classified as type III. All the patients underwent open reduction and wire fixation with medial knee "L" shape approach. A wire guiding needle was used to guide the wire through the tibial tunnel during operation.

RESULTSWith the assistance of wire guidance needles, wires passed through the tibial tunnel rapidly during the operation in all the 22 patients. All the patients were followed up, X-ray imagings 6 months after operation showed the fractures healed well. The average follow-up time in all patients was 6 months (ranged, 6 to 12 months). The averaged Lysholm knee score in 22 knee was 92.7 +/- 3.4. All patients' posterior drawer test were negative.

CONCLUSIONSelf-made wire guiding needle can simplify the operation procedures in which the wires pass through the tibial tunnel, shorten the operation time, reduce the surgical trauma and complications, and be worthy of clinical application.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Wires ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; injuries ; surgery ; Tibia ; injuries ; surgery ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of alcohol intake and hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with hepatitis B virus infection.

METHODSA total of 553 patients with HCC and 160 control subjects affected with hepatitis B virus were recruited. Serum virology, serum biochemistry, as well as demographic information were studied. Finally, risk factors were selected by stepwise Logistic regression analyse. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated for each risk factor. According to alcohol intake, HCC patients were divided into three groups,then to observe the differences between them.

RESULTSElevated AST, GGT, ALP and AFP levels were seen more frequently in the HCC case groups compared to control group (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that heavy alcohol use, smoking, positive family history of liver cancer is associated with HCC development among patients with hepatitis B virus infection. Significantly increased risk was found among patients for heavy alcohol use [A = 2.66 (2.01-3.50)] and for smoking [A = 2.51 (1.66-3.80)] and for positive family history of liver cancer [A = 1.64 (1.04-2.59)]. Compared to patients who did not have alcohol use, elevated GGT and ALP were seen more frequently in patients who had alcohol use either mild or heavy (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHeavy alcohol use, smoking, positive family history of liver cancer is positive correlation with HCC development among patients with hepatitis B virus infection in China. In patients with hepatitis B virus infection who also has history of heavy alcohol, the most risk factor of HCC is hepatitis B virus infection, not alcohol.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; epidemiology ; etiology ; virology ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult