Objective: To discuss the feasibility of a new method to evaluate wearing simulators,and to investigate the feasibility of specimens' depth loss as the index of the materials' wearing resistance.Methods: Two commercial composite resins(SureFil and Spectrum TPH) were selected.The specimens were subjected to 100,200,300,400,500,800,1200,1 600 and 2 000 cycles wearing in the CW3-1 wearing system.Wearing was determined quantitatively by weighing the specimen and measuring the height of the specimen,volume loss(mm 3) and height loss(?m) were calculated.Previous clinical study results on SureFil and Spectrum TPH conducted at Hong Kong University were used to examine the relationship between clinical wearing and laboratory wearing.The difference of the wearing resistance between the two materials and the Pearson correlation of the height loss and the volume loss were analyzed by statistical software SPSS 15.0.Results: The wearing resistance of the two materials was significant difference(P

Objective To investigate the possible pathway of FITC-dextran to the cochlea after post-aural injection.Methods The FITC-dextran(weight between 3 000~5 000) was chosen as a tracer in this study.A total of 200 suckling mice were randomly divided into four groups, with 50 in each group.Each animal was then administered with FITC-dextran or dextran via either post-auricular or intra-muscular injection, to a total dose of 20 μl (5 mg/ml).Samples were obtained at 0, 1/12, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 3, 5, 7, 12, and 24 hours after adminstmiceion, and the confocal technique was used to observe the distribution of the tracer.Taking into consideration the influence of spontaneous fluorescence, the fluorescence intensity ratio of the experimental and control groups was used as the final statistical data.Results FITC-dextran injected intramuscularly group: The fluorescence signal can be detected in the sigmoid sinus(SS) 3h after management, while in endolymphatic sac and cochlea at 12 h.FITC-dextran injected post-aurally group: After administration, an obvious fluorescence signal could be observed in the sigmoid sinus and endolymphatic sac immediately, cochlea at 30 min.The signal of the sigmoid sinus, endolymphatic sac and cochlea gradually increased successively, peaked at 5~15 min, 30 min and 60 min, and then decreased gradually.At 12 h, another small increases appeared, and the signal could not be detected at 24 h.Conclusion Compared with intramuscularly application, post-auricular injection can allow the drug to directly reach the endolymph.It is possible that the tracer first gathered in the SS via local blood circulation or infiltration, then entered the ES via micro-circulation around, and eventually arrived at the cochlea.

The voltage-gated sodium channel subtype Nav1.7 is highly expressed in nociceptive sensory neurons and is a key pathogenic target in several human hereditary pain syndromes. In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that Nav1.7 plays an important role in inflammatory, neuropathic, and nociceptive pain. Therefore, targeting Nav1.7 is a new strategy and hotspot for the development of novel analgesics. This review introduces the structure and function of Nav1.7, its regulatory role in pain, highlights the development progress of small-molecule Nav1.7 inhibitors in clinical trials, and analyzes the preclinical development of highly specific Nav1.7 inhibitors, with a view to providing reference for the development of Nav1.7 analgesic drugs.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Ba-pulling and Qian-traction manipulation with neck suspension and movement for acute cervical radiculopathy. Methods: A total of 85 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into an observation group and a control group by random numbers, with 43 cases in the observation group and 42 cases in the control group. The observation group was treated with Ba-pulling and Qian-traction manipulation with neck suspension and movement;while the control group was treated with Bashen-pulling and stretching manipulation in a supine position. The treatment was performed once a day, 10 times as a treatment course. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after 1 treatment course, and the changes in the scores of visual analog scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) were observed. Results: The total effective rate was 97.7% in the observation group, and 83.3% in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P＜0.05). After treatment, the VAS and NDI scores of both groups were significantly decreased (both P＜0.01), and the differences in the VAS and NDI scores between the two groups were statistically significant (both P＜0.01). Conclusion: Both Ba-pulling and Qian-traction manipulation with neck suspension and movement and Bashen-pulling and stretching manipulation in a supine position can relieve pain and improve cervical function in patients with acute cervical radiculopathy, and Ba-pulling and Qian-traction manipulation with neck suspension and movement can produce more significant efficacy than Bashen-pulling and stretching manipulation in a supine position.

AIMTo examine the liver mechanism with which clenbuterol is explained how to affect growth metabolism.

METHODSTwenty-four adult SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, a control and two treatment groups. The technique of isolated perfused rat liver in vitro was used to study the effects of clenbuterol on urea nitrogen concentration of perfused medium, GPT activity and synthesis and secretion of IGF-I in isolated perfused rat liver.

RESULTSUrea-nitrogen concentration of perfused medium was significantly affected by clenbuterol in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. The urea-nitrogen level was decreased by 15.02% (P > 0.05),17.97% (P > 0.05), 26.76% (P < 0.05) and 30.08% (P < 0.01) for 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h after administering clenbuterol at the dose of 1 x 10(-6) mol/L, respectively, compared to that of control. 1 x 10(-8) mol/L CL had the similar effect on urea-nitrogen level. GTP activity of isolated perfused rat liver was inhibited by clenbuterol. The enzyme activity was decreased by 24.65% (P < 0.05) at the dose of 1 10(-6) mol/L CL in clenbuterol-treated 4h. The production and secretion of IGF-I were also influenced by clenbuterol in isolated perfused rat liver. IGF-I concentration of rat liver was increased by 19.77% (P < 0.05) in 4 h clenbuterol treatment (1 x 10(-6) mol/L). Meanwhile, IGF-I concentration of perfusion medium was also elevated though the difference was not significant compared with control.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that clenbuterol may improve growth metabolism by means of increasing nitrogen retention and enhancing IGF-I production and secretion of rat liver.

Animals ; Clenbuterol ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Nitrogen ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMTo examine the liver mechanism with which clenbuterol (CL) is explained how to affect growth metabolism.

METHODSThe technique of chronic poly catheter was used to study the effects of CL (0.8 mg/kg b w) on the hepatic flux of nitrogen, VFA and glucose in 4 sheep.

RESULTSThe urea-nitrogen flux in CL-treated period always was lower than that in control during 24 h. The average flux of urea-nitrogen in hepatic and portal vein were decreased by 16.86% (P < 0.01) and 15.51% (P < 0.05), respectively, compared with that of control. The peptide level in hepatic vein was decreased with the treatment of CL, average flux of peptide was decreased by 38.71% (P < 0.01). But the peptide level of portal vein in CL treatment period was similar to control. Moreover, VFA level in the portal vein was enhanced by CL, the average flux of acetate in portal vein was increased by 19.49% (P < 0.01). No difference of VFA level in hepatic vein was noted between CL-treated period and control. In addition, the glucose flux in hepatic vein was obviously increased with CL treatment, the average flux of glucose was increased by 25.96% (P < 0.01). And glucose flux in portal vein was also elevated during CL-treated period.

CONCLUSIONCL can affect growth metabolism of animal with increasing nitrogen deposition, improving absorption and utilization of VFA and enhancing glucose synthesis in sheep liver.

Animals ; Clenbuterol ; pharmacology ; Fatty Acids, Volatile ; metabolism ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Sheep

Animals ; Electric Stimulation ; Entopeduncular Nucleus ; physiology ; Male ; Neurons ; physiology ; Pedunculopontine Tegmental Nucleus ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Administration, Intravaginal ; Administration, Rectal ; Anti-Infective Agents ; administration & dosage ; Female ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; psychology ; Humans ; Male ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; psychology

BACKGROUND: Xiaohuoluo pill can expel pathogenic wind, remove dampness and activate collaterals. It is used for treatment of Bi-syndrome due to wind-cold-dampness, pain and numbness in limbs.OBJECTIVE: To observe the pharmacological effect of Xiaohuoluo pills on secondary immune response, specific immunity (including cellular immunity and humoral immunity), non-specific immunity [including complement 3(C3), mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) and red blood cell (RBC)adhesion function] and free radical injury as well as pain and many other inflammations in mice.DESIGN: A randomized controlled stratified trial.SETTING: Guangzhou Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Materia Medica; Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.MATERIALS: Totally 628 NIH and ICR mice of 6 to 8 weeks were involved in this trial. Xiaohuoluo pills (components: Dannanxing, Zhichuanwu, Zhicaowu, Dilong, Ruxiang and so on; Chenli Pharmaceutical Factory,Guangzhou; Brach No. 19980612) were used in this trial. Rabbit antimouse immunoglobulin G (IgG) and C3 antiserum reagent kit (Guangzhou Institute of Medicine and Health) and reagent kit for measuring the antioxidizing activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) (Jiancheng Institute of Bioengineering, Nanjing) were used.METHODS: This trial was carried out in the Guangzhou Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Materia Medica; Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Institute of Medicine and Health during September 1998 to December 1999. ① To observe the suppressive effect of Xiaohuoluo pills on cock red blood cell (CRBC)-induced secondary immune response: Eight-four ICR mice, male and female in half, were selected.Twenty of 84 mice served as blank controls; The other 64 mice were intraperitoneally injected with cyclophos-phamide (CY) of 0.2 g/kgonce. On the 4th and 12th days, CRBC was intraperitoneally injected into the mice twice to induce immunoenhancing pathological models to form secondary immune response. Mice served as blank controls were intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of normal saline; The immunoenhanced mice were assigned into 3 groups by a lot: CY group (n=20, CY, 40 mg/kg, intragastric administration, I.g.), Xiaohuoluo pills (n=21, Xiaohuoluo pills suspension, 5.54 g/kg, I.g.) and model group (n=20, distilled water, the same volume as other groups, I.g.); once a day within 7 successive days. 19 days later, the levels of serum IgG and C3 were measured with single immunodiffusion method, and the level of circulating immune compound (CIC) was measured with polyethylene glycol precipitation method. ② To observe the suppressive effect of Xiaohuoluo pills on delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH): Fifty-four ICR mice, male and female in half, were selected. On the 1st day, the mice were sensitized by subcutaneous injection of 10 g/L 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzen e (DNFB) of 50 μL for each. On the 4th day, the sensitized mice were assigned into 3 groups by a lot: Prednisone group (n=18, prednisone, 0.01 g/kg, I.g.), Xiaohuoluo pills (n=18, Xiaohuoluo pills suspension, 5.54 g/kg, I.g.), model group (n=18, distilled water, the same volume as other groups, I.g.), all once a day within 7 successive days. 11 days later, 10 g/L DNFB of 25μL was spread on the right ear of each mouse in each group. The swelling degree was calculated 24 hours later (The mass difference between right ear and left ear). ③ To observe the suppressive effect of Xiaohuoluo pills on immune adhesion function of RBC of mouse: Thirty-six NIH mice, male and female in half, were selected and assigned into 3 groups by a lot: CY group (n=12, CY, 20 mg/kg,I.g.), Xiaohuoluo pills (n=12, Xiaohuoluo pills suspension, 5.54 g/kg, I.g.)and blank control group (n=12, distilled water, the same volume as other groups, I.g.), once a day within 7 successive days. 7 days later, blood was taken from the orbit of mice for calculating the rosette rate of RBC-C3b receptor and the rosette rate of RBC immune compound. ④ To observe the suppressive effect o20 Mg/kg, I.g.),Xiaohuoluo pills group (Xiaohuoluo pills suspension, 5.54 g/kg, I.g.) , once a day within 7 successive days; IgM-type hemolytic concentration (HC50)was measured at 2 hours after the last administration on the 7th day [ (Sample absorption / Absorption at HC50 of CRBC) ×diluted time]. The levels of serum C3 and MDA and the activity of SOD were measured according to the method from corresponding reagent kit. ⑥ To observe the suppressive effect of Xiaohuoluo pills on agar granulation tissue hyperplasia in mice:Fifty-nine NIH mice were selected and given subcutaneous injection of 20 g/L agar of 0.5 mL for each. 24 hours later, the mice were assigned into 3 groups by a lot: diclofenac group (diclofenac, 10 mg/kg,I.g..), Xiaohuoluo pills group (Xiaohuoluo pills suspension, 5.54 g/kg, I.g.) and model group (distilled water, the same volume as other groups, I.g.), once a day within 7 successive days; On the 8th day, the mice were sacrificed. The hyperplasiainhibiting effect was presented in the form of the mass of agar granulation tissue in one kilogram body mass ⑦ To observe the suppressive effect of Xiaohuoluo pills on acetic distortion reaction: Sixty-three NIH mice were se lected and assigned into 3 groups by a lot: diclofenac group (diclofenac,50 mg/kg, I.g.), Xiaohuoluo pills group (Xiaohuoluo pills suspension, 5.54 g/kg,I.g.) and model group (distilled water, the same volume of other groups, I.g.),once a day within 2 successive days. At 2 hours after the last administration, the mice were given intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 mol/L acetic acid of 0.2 mL for each one. The times of distortion of mice within 20 minutes were counted. ⑧ To observe the effect of Xiaohuoluo pills on the acute exudative inflammation evoked by dimethylbenzene, croton oil and carrageenan, and the level of prostaglandin E in the inflammatory exudates:Totally 219 NIH mice were selected and assigned into 3 groups by a lot:diclofenac group (diclofenac, 50 mg/kg, I.g.), Xiaohuoluo pills group (Xiaohuoluo pills suspension, 5.54 g/kg, I.g.) and model group (distilled water, the same volume of other groups, I.g.) once a day within 2 successive days. At 2 hours after the last administration, dimethylbenzene of 25 μL was spread on the right ear for 20 minutes, or croton oil of 25 μL was also spread on the right ear, 4 hours later, the swelling of right ear was calculated (mass of right ear-mass of left ear). 10 g/L carrageenan of 20 μL was subcutaneously injected into the right foot, 3 hours later, the swelling degree was calculated (The difference of right foot and left foot); and the level of prostaglandin E in the inflammatory exudates was measured. ⑨ t test(t' test for heteroscedasticity) was used for comparing the difference in measurement data among groups.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pharmacological effect of Xiaohuoluo pills on secondary immune response, specific immunity, non-specific immunity and free radical injury as well as pain and many other inflammations in mice.RESULTS: Totally 628 NIH and ICR mice were involved in result analysis. ① The level of IgG and CIC of mice in the model group was significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups respectively (P ＜ 0.01),while the level of C3 was significantly lower than that in the other 3 groups (P ＜ 0.05 to 0.01). ② The swelling degree of mice in the diclofenac group and Xiaohuoluo pills group was significantly lower than that in the blank control group respectively ( both P ＜ 0.01). ③ The rosette rate of RBC-C3b receptor and RBC immune compound in the blank control group was significantly higher than that in the other 2 gro ups respectively (P ＜ 0.01). ④ The phagocytic index (K value )in the diclofenac group and Xiaohuoluo pills group was significantly lower than that in the blank control group, respectively (both P ＜ 0.01).⑤ IgM-type HC50 and the level of serum MDA of CY group and Xiaohuoluo pills group were obviously lower than those in the immune control group (P ＜ 0.01),while the level of C3 was higher than that of immune control group, there was no significant difference in the activity of serum SOD between CY group or Xiaohuoluo pills group and immune control group (P ＞ 0.05). ⑥The ratio of agar granulation tissue mass to body mass in the diclofenac group or Xiaohuoluo pills group was significantly lower than that in the model group(P ＜ 0.01).⑦ The times of distortion of mice within 20 minutes in the diclofenac group or Xiaohuoluo pills group were signifi cantly less than those of model group(P ＜ 0.01,0.05).⑧The ear swelling degree of dimethylbenzene-induced inflammatory models and croton oil-induced inflammatory models,and foot swelling degree of carrageenan-induced acute inflammatory models as well as the level of prostaglandin E in the inflammatory exudates in the diclofenac group were significantly milder or lower than those in the model group(P ＜ 0.05 to 0.01),and the level of prostaglandin E in the inflammatory exudates in the Xiaohuoluo pills group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Xiaohuoluo pills possess pharmacological effects of immunosuppression, anti-proliferative inflammation, analgesia and antioxidation.

Objective To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)in breast cancer tissues,as well as the relationship between COX-2 and the clinicopathological features.Method The expression of COX-2 was detected in 60 cases of breast cancer tissues and 20 cases of breast normal tissues by using immunohistochemistry,and combined with clinicopathological information for analysis.Results The COX-2 expression rate was 65.0%(39/60)in breast cancer tissues and 10.0%(2/20)in breast normal tissues respectively.There was statistic difference between the two(P<0.01).The over expression of COX-2 was significantly correlated with TNM stages,lymphatic metastasis and the expression of epidermal growuth factor receptor-2(C-erbB-2)(P<0.05 or<0.01).Conclusion The expression of COX-2 in breast cancer tissues is significantly higher,which might play a fairly important role in tumorigenesis and progression of breast cancer.