There have been many methods to prepare fluoroquinolones-loaded sustained-release chitosan microspheres, including precipitation, emulsion crosslinking, spray-drying, and ionic gelation. Each of them has its own merits and disadvantages, but the mechanisms underlying drug delivery are basically similar. The prepared drug microspheres can enhance the capacity of anti-fluoroquinolones-resistant bacteria and are primarily used in the anti-inflammation and anti-infection. This paper introduces the preparation methods and sustained drug delivery mechanisms of fluoroquinolones-loaded sustained-release chitosan microspheres and investigates drug delivery characteristics and applications by analyzing, sorting, and summarizing related manuscripts published recently. Fluoroquinolones-loaded sustained-release chitosan microspheres show satisfactory sustained-release and anti-bacterial properties. Therefore, it is of important scientific research and clinical application significance to develop fluoroquinolones-loaded sustained-release nanometer-sized chitosan microspheres.

Chitosan microsphere containing fluoroquinolones is a kind of novel sustained-released antibacterial agent that possesses the antibacterial and bacteriostatic property of chitosan as well as bactericidal properties of fluoroquinolones. Loading fluoroquinolones in the chitosan microsphere can greatly enhance its antibacterial, bactericidal, anti-inflammation and anti-infection characteristics. This paper reviewes the recent study on different preparation methods of chitosan mierosphere containing fluoroqninolones and discusses its applications.

Objective To study the chemical constituents from Dipentodon sinicus. Methods Isolation and purification were carried out on silica gel column and Sephadex LH-20, the structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical evidences and spectral analysis. Results Nine compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as n-1-triacontanol (Ⅰ), ?-sitosterol (Ⅱ), pyrocatechol (Ⅲ), p-dihydroxyl benzene (Ⅳ), coniferyl aldehyde (Ⅴ), vanillic acid (Ⅵ), ergosterol peroxide (Ⅶ), ?-sitosterol-3-O-?-D-glucosides-3'-O-tritriacontanate (Ⅷ), and daucosterol (Ⅸ). Conclusion All the nine compounds are isolated from the title plant for the first time, among them, compound Ⅷ is a new compound named as dipentosinin.

Objective To evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of nucleic acid amplification (TB- RNA),bacteriophage-based assay,3D culture and smear on the detection of Mycobacteria tuberculosis.Methods 291 clinical sample including 110 sputum,54 thoracic fluid,37 throat swab,31 bronchial fluid,13 cerebrospinal fluid,12 urine,8 lymph fluid and 20 others (pericardial effusion,feces, blood and abdominal fluid) and gynecological specimen (including 6 leucorrhoea and menstrual blood) were analyzed by these four methods.Results Among the 291 clinical samples,the positive rate of mycobacteria tuberculosis for TB-RNA,bacteriophage-based assay,3D culture and smear were 37.1%,28.9%,27.5% and 10.3%.The sensitivity and specificity of the TB-RNA,bacteriophage-based assay,3D culture and smear were 54.3% & 100%,41.7% & 88.9%,31.7% & 93.5% and 14.6% & 98.9%,respectively.Conclusions TB-RNA is an effective clinical diagnostic method for Mycobacteria tuberculosis.Although the sensitivity of smear is poorer than others,it is a universal testing method in clinical laboratory due to low cost.The positive rate of mycobacteria tuberculosis for 3D culture is lower than that of bacteriophage-based assay and TB-RNA.Although the time to result for 3D culture might last for few weeks,the isolates can be used for drug resistance screening and bacterial identification.

Adenoma, Sweat Gland ; pathology ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leg ; pathology ; Skin Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible mechanism of the electroacupuncture for improvement of learning and memory in rats of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSSixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a normal saline group, a model group, a western medication group and an electroacupuncture group, 12 rats in each group. The AD rat model was established by injecting Streptozocin (STZ) into lateral cerebral ventricle, except the rats in the normal saline group injecting Normal Saline with the same dose and in normal group with no injection. The western medication group was treated with intragastric administration of Memantine, and in the electroacupuncture group, the electroacupuncture was given at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Dazhui" (CV 14), "Taixi" (KI 3), "Shenshu" (BL 23), "Zusanli" (ST 36), once each day, 7 days for a course, and lasted for 4 courses. The other three groups were fed in routine way and without any treatment. The learning and memory ability was assessed by Morris water maze and the expression of Abeta positive cells of the hippocampus and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were determined by immunohistochemistry and visible spectrophotometer colorimetry.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group and the normal saline group, the Abeta protein expression was significantly increased in the model group (both P < 0.01), and the SOD activity was obviously decreased (both P < 0.01). After treatment, as compared with the model group, the Abeta protein expression was significantly decreased (both P < 0.01), and the SOD activity was obviously increased (both P < 0.01) in the electroacupuncture group and western medication group.

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture treatment can reduce the Abeta protein expression and increase the SOD activity of the hippocampus so as to improve learning and memory ability in the AD rats.

Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Learning ; Male ; Memory ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Streptozocin ; adverse effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To observe the circadian rhythm of blood pressure and investigate the impact of Norvasc and Tanatril administrated at different time points based on the theory of time therapeutics in hypertensive patients. Methods The 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure was monitored in 130 inpatients and outpatients with grade 3 or 2 hypertension from May 2008 to November 2009. A total of 34 dipper hypertensive patients were grouped into dipper blood pressure group and 5 mg/d of Norvasc and Tanatril were taken by them at 6:00 AM. A total of 96 nondipper hypertensive patients were further divided into three subgroups after adjustment for age and gender: 5 mg/d of Norvasc and Tanatril were taken by group I (n = 30) at 6:00 AM; 5 mg/d of Tanatril at 6:00 AM and 5 mg/d of Norvasc at 18:00 PM by group Ⅱ (n = 32); 5 mg/d of Norvasc at 6:00 AM and 5 mg/d of Tanatrilat 18:00 PM by group Ⅲ(n=34).The 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed again after four weeks treatment and 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure(24 hSBP),24-hour mean diastolic blood pressure(24 hDBP),daytime and nighttime mean systolic blood pressure(dSBP,nSBP)and daytime and nighttime mean diastolic blood pressure(dDBP,nDBP),were analyzed.Results The 24 hSBP,24 hDBP and dSBP,and dDBP were reduced from(154.3±5.6),(95.4±3.1),(158.7±6.5),(99.6±3.7)mmHg to(137.2±3.9),(82.5±2.7),(139.7±3.8),(85.2±3.5)mmHg,respectively,in dipper blood pressure group(t=2.124,2.356,2.278,2.449,all P<0.05).The 24 hSBP and 24 hDBP of the three groups in nondipper blood pressure were decreased from(154.4±6.1),(156.7±6.7),(156.6±5.2),(95.8±2.8),(94.9±3.8),(95.7±3.2)mmHg to (139.6±4.1),(134.5±4.6),(133.4±3.5),(83.5±4.2),(80.8±5.6),(81.6±4.7)mmHg,respectively(t=2.038,2.040,2.135,2.142,2.213,2.216,all P<0.05).dSBP and dDBP were decreased from(158.6±3.50),(158.4±5.6),(159.5±4.),(98.4±3.7),(99.6±3.7),(83.9±5.2)mmHg to(138.9±5.4),(136.7±4.1),(137.4±6.4),(85.8±5.3),(83.6±5.1),(83.9±5.2)mmHg,respectively(t=2.021,2.252,2.261,2.217,2.167,2.076,all P<0.05).nSBP and nDBP were decreased from(146.7±6.9),(149.8±3.9),(150.2±4.1),(93.7±4.2),(95.7±4.3),(93.4±3.3)mmHg to(133.7±4.6),(129.8±5.7),(127.6±2.8),(87.8±2.9),(78.5±6.4),(77.8±4.8)mmHg,respectively(t=1.798,2.032,2.014,1.864,2.157,2.166,all P<0.05).There were significant differences in nSBP and nDBP among all groups after treatment(F=2.32,2.17,all P<0.05),and the effect of the drugs was better in groug Ⅱ and Ⅲ than in group Ⅰ(q=3.17,4.03,3.32,4.19,all P<0.05),but there were no significant differences between group Ⅱ and Ⅲ(P>0.05).Conclusions Blood pressure can be controlled effectively by taking two antihypertensive medictions in the morning in hypertensive dipper patient but the blood pressure of nondipper hypertensive patients were able to be controlled more efficiently by taking the two antihypertensive medictions separately in the morning and at the evening compared with that taking the two drugs together in the morning.

Adult ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial ; surgery ; Transplantation, Homologous ; methods

OBJECTIVETo facilitate early recognition of ominous clinical manifestations, to understand pathophysiology and assess treatment effects in patients with severe enterovirus 71 (EV71) associated hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

METHODA retrospective analysis was performed based on the clinical records, laboratory data and treatment effects which were collected from twelve severe EV71 infected cases from nine hospitals in 2008, in Hubei province, China.

RESULTOf the 12 severe cases, ten (83.3%) were male and two female. The median age was 1.96 yrs (8 m to 7 yrs). The mean hyperthermic duration was 6 days with the peak temperature over 38.5 degrees C, and mean rash duration was 7 days. Fever and rash emerged simultaneously in 4 of 5 cases with cardiopulmonary failure. The severe complications included encephalitis (10 cases), pulmonary edema or hemorrhage (5 cases). Eleven cases were checked with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and four cases showed characteristics of encephalitis or meningitis, two with images of naso sinusitis and ethmoid-mastoid inflammation. Chest X-ray examination showed with pulmonary edema on single or both sides (5 cases), bronchitis (4 cases), and normal image (3 cases). There was no specific finding in the cardiac ultrasound and electrocardiogram in any of the patients, as well as the white blood cell count, blood glucose, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and D-dimer. Cerebrospinal fluid showed aseptic meningitis with the increase of cell count in 7 cases. All patients were treated with antibiotics and/or antivirals, such as cephalosporins, ribavirin etc. Eleven patients were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (total dose 2 - 4.5 g/kg) for 2 - 5 days, and the highest blood concentration of immunoglobulin was detected increasing at 7 g/L. Seven cases were also treated with methylprednisolone 10 - 30 mg/(kg x d), four with dopamine, dobutamine, or digitalis. In addition, by using continuous positive airway pressure by nasal catheter and maintenance of circulation in the cases with cardiopulmonary failure could not relieve the symptoms of dyspnoea, and mechanical ventilation was required to maintain for a mean of 72 hrs (24 - 96 hrs). Except one case died of pulmonary edema in the early stage, others were cured without sequelae.

CONCLUSIONSevere EV71 infection is more common in children younger than 3 years old, in which the profound complications include encephalitis and pulmonary edema. The mechanical ventilation should be critically urged for child with complicating cardiopulmonary failure as soon.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enterovirus A, Human ; classification ; Enterovirus Infections ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the toxic effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans).

METHODSAdult C. elegans were exposed to different concentrations of NaF (0.038 mmol/L, 0.38 mmol/L, and 3.8 mmol/L) for 24 h. To assess the physiological effects of NaF, the brood size, life span, head thrashes, and body bend frequency were examined. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell apoptosis were detected as parameters of biochemical response. The gene expressions were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to assess the molecular-level response.

RESULTSAt the physiological level, the brood size of C. elegans exposed to 0.038 mmol/L, 0.38 mmol/L, and 3.8 mmol/L concentrations of NaF were reduced by 6%, 26%, and 28% respectively in comparison with the control group. The maximum life spans of C. elegans exposed to 0.038 mmol/L, 0.38 mmol/L, and 3.8 mmol/L concentrations of NaF were reduced by 3 days and 5 days, respectively. Head thrashes and body bend frequency both decreased with increasing concentrations of NaF. At the biochemical level, the production of ROS and the incidence of cell apoptosis increased with increasing concentrations of NaF (P < 0.05). At the molecular level, different concentrations of NaF exposure raised the expression of stress-related genes, such as hsp16.1, sod-3, ctl-2, dhs-28, gst-1, and cep-1.

CONCLUSIONNaF exposure could induce multiple biological toxicities to C. elegans in a concentration-dependent manner. These toxicities may be relevant to the oxidative stress induced by increased ROS production and accumulation in C. elegans.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; drug effects ; metabolism ; DNA Primers ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sodium Fluoride ; toxicity