China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Pneumoconiosis ; epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To investigate the interaction between NMDA receptor subunit 2B (NR2B) and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) in the spinal cord of morphine-tolerant rats. Methods Sixteen male SD rats weighing 220-280 g were randomly divided into 2 groups with 8 rats in each group: control group (C) and morphine group (M). In group M morphine 10μg was administered intrathecally (IT) twice a day for 7 consecutive days. In group C equal volume of normal saline was given instead of morphine. Tail flick latency (TFL) (a segment of tail 4-5 cm long was immersed in 52-53℃ hot water) was used to measure the antinocicepitve effect of morphine before and 30 min after morphine administration every morning. MPE (percentage of maximal possible effect) was calculated (pain threshold after drug administration - baseline pain threshold)/(10- baseline pain threshold)× 100% . The animals were killed at the next day after last IT administration and the dorsal half of L4-5 spinal cord was isolated and homogenized for determination of NR2B and mGluR5 protein expression by Western blot and CO-IP. Results MPE was significantly increased at 1-5 d of drug administration and returned to baseline at 7 d in group M as compared with group C. The mGluR5 protein expression was significantly up-regulated in group M as compared with group C but there was no significant difference in NR2B protein expression between the 2 groups. Conclusion There is interaction between NK2B and mGluR5 in the spinal cord of morphine-tolerant rats.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of glycemic control on refraction in diabetic patients. METHODS: Twenty newly diagnosed diabetic patients were included in this study. The random blood glucose, HbA1c levels, fasting C-peptide and postprandial 2h C-peptide were measured before treatment. The patients with random blood glucose higher than 12.0mmol/L and HbA1c level higher than 10.0% were selected. Refraction, intraocular pressure, radius of the anterior corneal curvature, depth of the anterior chamber, lens thickness, vitreous length, and axial length were measured on admission and at the end of week 1, 2, 3 and 4 during glycemic control.RESULTS: A transient hyperopic change occurred in all the patients receiving glycemic control. The maximum hyperopic change was 1.60D (range 0.50±3.20D). Recovery of the previous refraction occurred between two and four weeks after insulin treatment. There was a positive correlation between the maximum hyperopic changes and the HbA1c levels on admission (r=0.84, P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the maximum hyperopic changes and the daily rate of blood glucose reduction over the first 7 days of the treatment (r=0.53, P<0.05). During transient hyperopia, no significant changes were observed in the intraocular pressure, radius of the anterior corneal curvature, depth of the anterior chamber, lens thickness, vitreous length and axial length.CONCLUSION: Transient hyperopic changes occur after glycemic control in diabetic patients with severe hyperglycemia. The degrees of transient hyperopia are highly dependent on HbA1c levels before treatment and the rate of reduction of the blood glucose level.

Biopsy ; Brain ; pathology ; Frozen Sections ; methods ; Humans

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Shuanghuanglian injection in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD),and to observe its effects on the plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP),procalcitonin(PCT)and interleukin-6(IL-6). METHODS:A total of 100 AECOPD patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 50 cases in each group. Control group received routine treatment,such as controlled oxygen therapy,intravenous dripping of moxifloxacin,bronchodilator for relieving asthma,mucolytic for eliminating phlegm,nu-tritional support. Observation group was additionally given Shuanghuanglian injection 1 ml/(kg·d)added into 5% Glucose injec-tion 250 ml intravenously,qd,on the basis of control group. Treatment course of 2 groups lasted for 10 d. Clinical efficacies of 2 groups were compared as well as the changes of serum levels of CRP,PCT and IL-6 before and after treatment and the occur-rence of ADR. RESULTS:After treatment,total effective rate of observation group was 96.0%,which was significantly higher than 82.0% of control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05). Before treatment,there was no statistical significance in se-rum levels of CRP,PCT and IL-6 between 2 groups (P>0.05). After treatment,serum levels of CRP,PCT and IL-6 were de-creased significantly in 2 groups,and those of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group,with statis-tical significance (P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR between 2 groups (P>0.05). CON-CLUSIONS:Shuanghuanglian injection can effectively improve serum inflammatory factors of AECOPD patients,and shows good clinical efficacy and safety.

The microbial populations and community structure characterization technologies of the enhanced biological phosphate removal system were reviewed comprehensively in this paper, and their future research directions were outlined.

In recent years, non-viral gene vectors have attracted great attention for efficient gene delivery due to the advantages, including low toxicity, low immunogenicity and simple preparation. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is one of the typical non-viral gene carriers that have been widely utilized for gene delivery owing to its superior capabilities in gene compression and buffering capacity. This article discusses the processes of gene delivery and the barriers of PEI-based carrier during the gene delivery, such as low biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, lack of specific targeting and insufficient gene release, etc. Therefore, we summarize the multiple approaches for the modifications of PEI in terms of improved biocompatibility, degradability, specific targeting and buffering capacity. Furthermore, we also review on the recent impressive progresses of smart stimuli-responsive PEI carriers, including endogenous stimuli (pH, reactive oxygen species, glutathione, biomolecular, etc), exogenous stimuli (light, temperature, magnetic field, etc) and dual-responsive strategies, which might provide guidance for the development of more efficient and safer non-viral gene vectors.

Oleanolic acid-precipitated calcium carbonate solid dispersion was prepared by using solvent evaporation method. The microscopic structure and physicochemical properties of solid dispersion were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). And its in vitro release also was investigated. The properties of the precipitated calcium carbonate was studied which was as a carrier of oleanolic acid solid dispersion. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis suggested that oleanolic acid may be present in solid dispersion as amorphous substance. The in vitro release determination results of oleanolic acid-precipitated calcium carbonate (1: 5) solid dispersion showed accumulated dissolution rate of.oleanolic acid was up to 90% at 45 min. Accelerating experiment showed that content and in vitro dissolution of oleanolic acid solid dispersion did not change after storing over 6 months. The results indicated that in vitro dissolution of oleanolic acid was improved greatly by the solid dispersion with precipitated calcium carbonate as a carrier. The solid dispersion is a stabilizing system which has actual applied value.
Calcium Carbonate ; chemistry ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Stability ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Oleanolic Acid ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Solubility

In this paper, the process performance indexes (PPIs) P(p) and P(pk) were introduced and applied to evaluate the process capability and quality consistence of Chinese medicine products. The historical quality analysis data of Qingkailing injection were collected and taken as the research object. The confidence intervals of P(p) and P(pk) were estimated based on the Bootstrap sampling methods. Results showed that the value and width of the confidence interval P(p) of were smaller that of P(pk) suggesting that the P(pk) index was more sensitive than P(p) in process capability analysis. Within the production period concerned, the P(pk) values estimated from different quality indexes of Qingkailing injection, such as baicalin, cholic acid, geniposide and total nitrogen, were 1.122, 2.055, 1.564 and 0.891, respectively. It could be found that the cholic acid had the highest process capability, followed by the geniposide and baicalin. The total nitrogen had the lowest process capability, indicating that it is necessary to reinforce the quality management of total nitrogen related manufacturing processes. The case studies demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of PPIs, which are convenient to be used in production practice of Chinese medicine.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; standards ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; standards ; Injections ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the applicability of immune-related response criteria (irRC) in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by Chinese medicine (CM).

METHODSTotally 97 stage III a-IV NSCLC patients were predominantly treated with comprehensive CM. Curative effects were evaluated by three methods such as Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), Oncologic Curative Effect Evaluation Criteria of Chinese Medicine in Solid Tumor (draft, abbreviated as CM criteria), and irRC. The correspondency and consistency between irRC, RECIST and CM criteria were analyzed and compared. The objectivity of irRC in evaluating curative effect of Chinese medical treatment for NSCLC was assessed.

RESULTSThe correspondency rate of irRC to RECIST was 59. 79% with Kappa value of 0. 379 (U test, P <0. 01). The two criteria had certain correspondence, but with an unsatisfactory consistency. The correspondency rate of irRC to CM criteria rate was 83. 51% with Kappa value of 0.751 (U test, P <0. 01). The two criteria had good correspondence and consistency.

CONCLUSIONSCM criteria had good consistency with CM criteria in evaluating curative effect for Chinese medical treatment of advanced NSCLC. Its results could objectively reflect features and advantages of CM for treating advanced NSCLC.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Treatment Outcome