BACKGROUND:Corneal lymphangiogenesis is beneficial to the transport of corneal antigenic materials, and accelerates the process of antigen presentation, thereby playing an important role in corneal immunity. However, due to the paral el outgrowth of corneal blood and lymphatic vessels in transplanted corneas, it is often difficult to accurately evaluate the role of corneal lymphatic vessels in allograft rejection. OBJECTIVE:To explore the development of corneal lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in transplanted rat corneas after the blockade of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C). METHODS:130 rats used to establish corneal al ogenic transplantation models were equally randomized into two groups:the anti-VEGF-C group and the control group. VEGF-C was blocked in the anti-VEGF-C group by intraperitoneal injection of neutralizing monoclonal anti-VEGF-C antibody every other day for 2 consecutive weeks. Meanwhile, rats in control groups received intraperitoneal injections of saline. Corneal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis were characterized using whole mount immunofluorescence, and the immune rejection of the grafts was evaluated by scoring the rejection index (RI). In addition, the expression of VEGF-C was examined by real-time PCR. The relationship of corneal lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis to RI in transplanted corneas was also characterized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:VEGF-C expression was markedly downregulated after VEGF-C blockade. Corneal lymphangiogenesis developed in parallel with corneal angiogenesis in the control group. While there was a mild reduction in blood vessel area (BVA) and a significant decrease in lymphatic vessel area (LVA) in the anti-VEGF-C group (P<0.05). In addition, RI was positively correlated with BVA (P<0.05) and LVA (P<0.05) in the control group. However, although RI was significantly correlated with BVA (P<0.05) in the anti-VEGF-C group, the correlation between RI and LVA was not statistically significant (P>0.05). the graft survival time in the anti-VEGF-C group was significantly increased compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). Our results show that the outgrowth of lymphatic vessels is separated from that of blood vessels in transplanted corneas by blocking VEGF-C. The blockade of VEGF-C has a significant role in preventing corneal lymphangiogenesis in corneal beds, which results in higher al ograft survival rates.

Paeoniflorin is the main active ingredient of Chinese herbaceous peony. This study is to investigate the protective effect of paeoniflorin (Pae) on acute brain damage induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. The mice were randomly assigned to the normal control, model control (LPS), as well as groups of paeoniflorin and lipopolysaccharide (Pae + LPS). Then the mice were administered intraperitioneally with normal saline or Pae (10, 30 mg · kg(-1)) once daily for 6 d. One hour after intrapertioneally treatment on the seventh day, each group were injected LPS (5 mg · kg(-1)) to establish the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide inflammation model except the normal group. The mice were sacrificed after 6 h and the brain homogenates were prepared and measured. The malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), succinatedehydrogenase (SDH), Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase were dectected by the colorimetric method. The levels of HO-1 and Nrf2 protein in subcellular fractions of brain tissue were detected by Western blot. The results demonstrated that the administration with paeoniflorin reduced the levels of the MDA production; significantly increase the activities of antioxidant enzyme (SOD and GSH-PX). In addition, paeoniflorin could enhance the total antioxidant capacity, decrease the level of H2O2, and increase the activities of SDH, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase. Furthermore, paeoniflorin can increase the expression of HO-1 and activate the nuclear transfer of Nrf2. Taking together, these findings suggest that paeoniflorin alleviate the acute inflammation in mice brain damage induced by LPS, which is related with its antioxidant effect and improvement of energy metabolism.
Animals ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Monoterpenes ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism

Objective To explore the effect of PGE1 on the cognitive impairment and the expression of VEGF and BDNF in the hippocampus after bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in adult rats. Methods Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into PGE1 group (10μg·kg-1·d-1, iv), PGE1+VEGFR antagonist group (PGE1, 10μg·kg-1·d-1, iv;SU5416, 25 mg·kg-1·d-1, ip), saline group and sham group (n=12 each). Morris Water Maze test (MWM) was used to examine cognitive function in rats. Drugs and saline were given to VD rats at 24 d for 7 consecutive days following opera?tion. Half of the rats in each group were sacrificed for Western Blot at 6 days after MWM test. Western Blot was conduct?ed to examine the relative expression levels of VEGF and BDNF in the hippocampus. Results Compared to saline and PGE1+VEGFR antagonist groups, the escape latency in PGE1 group was shorter (P<0.05), and the times that rats swam across the platform location and time percentage in previous platform quadrant in PGE1 group was longer (5.77±0.83 vs.2.88 ± 0.47 vs. 2.63 ± 0.44, P<0.01;32.28%± 4.56%vs. 20.42%± 5.50%, 23.08%± 5.06%, P<0.05). Compared with saline group and sham group, PGE1 group had higher levels of VEGF (0.057±0.005 vs. 0.038±0.002 vs. 0.027±0.002, P<0.05) and BDNF (0.481±0.049 vs. 0.339±0.021 vs. 0.224±0.04, P<0.05). but the increase in VEGF expression in PGE1 group was no significant (0.057±0.005 vs. 0.053±0.003, P>0.05) compared with PGE1+VEGFR antagonist group, while the aug?ment of BDNF in PGE1 group was remarkable (0.481±0.049 vs. 0.373±0.034, P<0.05). Conclusions PGE1 can upregu?late VEGF and BDNF expression and modify cognitive impairment in VD rats, while the effects of PGE1 on cognitive function and BDNF expression can be partially blocked by VEGFR antagonist SU5416.

Objective To explore the level of patient safety culture of nurses, so as to provide more objective information for the developmental measures to improve patient safety culture. Methods 1 866 nurses from six grade-3 hospitals of a province were investigated by patient safety culture assessment scale. Results The total scores of patient safety culture of nurses was 3.57 ± 0.42, belongs to the middle-level. 5 factors in descending order according to the questionnaire scores was teamwork climate, safety climate, job Satisfaction,perception of management and stress recognition. The lower scores were the punishment of adverse events, job stress, work intensity, the staffing and so on. Conclusions It is very important that nurse managers should focus on improving a safer system in nursing, find out the potential risks, create a positive patient safety culture,and reduce or prevent adverse events of nursing in order to promote patient safety.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli ; Escherichia coli Infections ; epidemiology ; Germany ; epidemiology ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Measurement uncertainty characterizes the dispersion of the quantity values attributed to a measurand. Although this concept was introduced to medical laboratories some years ago, not all medical researchers are familiar with it. Therefore, the evaluation and expression of measurement uncertainty must be highlighted using a practical example. METHODS: In accordance with the procedure for evaluating and expressing uncertainty, provided by the Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology (JCGM), we used plasma glucose (Glu) as an example and defined it as the measurand. We then analyzed the main sources of uncertainty, evaluated each component of uncertainty, and calculated the combined uncertainty and expanded uncertainty with 2 budgets for single measurements and continuous monitoring, respectively. RESULTS: During the measurement of Glu, the main sources of uncertainty included imprecision, within-subject biological variance (BVw), calibrator uncertainty, and systematic bias. We evaluated the uncertainty of each component to be 1.26%, 1.91%, 5.70%, 0.42%, and -2.87% for within-run imprecision, between-day imprecision, BVw, calibrator uncertainty, and systematic bias, respectively. For a single specimen, the expanded uncertainty was 7.38% or 6.1+/-0.45 mmol/L (kappa=2); in continuous monitoring of Glu, the expanded uncertainty was 13.58% or 6.1+/-0.83 mmol/L (kappa=2). CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated the overall procedure for evaluating and reporting uncertainty with 2 different budgets. The uncertainty is not only related to the medical laboratory in which the measurement is undertaken, but is also associated with the calibrator uncertainty and the biological variation of the subject. Therefore, it is helpful in explaining the accuracy of test results.
Blood Chemical Analysis/methods/standards ; Clinical Chemistry Tests/*methods/standards ; Glucose/*analysis/standards ; Humans ; Models, Statistical ; Quality Control ; *Uncertainty

BACKGROUND: Measurement uncertainty characterizes the dispersion of the quantity values attributed to a measurand. Although this concept was introduced to medical laboratories some years ago, not all medical researchers are familiar with it. Therefore, the evaluation and expression of measurement uncertainty must be highlighted using a practical example. METHODS: In accordance with the procedure for evaluating and expressing uncertainty, provided by the Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology (JCGM), we used plasma glucose (Glu) as an example and defined it as the measurand. We then analyzed the main sources of uncertainty, evaluated each component of uncertainty, and calculated the combined uncertainty and expanded uncertainty with 2 budgets for single measurements and continuous monitoring, respectively. RESULTS: During the measurement of Glu, the main sources of uncertainty included imprecision, within-subject biological variance (BVw), calibrator uncertainty, and systematic bias. We evaluated the uncertainty of each component to be 1.26%, 1.91%, 5.70%, 0.42%, and -2.87% for within-run imprecision, between-day imprecision, BVw, calibrator uncertainty, and systematic bias, respectively. For a single specimen, the expanded uncertainty was 7.38% or 6.1+/-0.45 mmol/L (kappa=2); in continuous monitoring of Glu, the expanded uncertainty was 13.58% or 6.1+/-0.83 mmol/L (kappa=2). CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated the overall procedure for evaluating and reporting uncertainty with 2 different budgets. The uncertainty is not only related to the medical laboratory in which the measurement is undertaken, but is also associated with the calibrator uncertainty and the biological variation of the subject. Therefore, it is helpful in explaining the accuracy of test results.
Blood Chemical Analysis/methods/standards ; Clinical Chemistry Tests/*methods/standards ; Glucose/*analysis/standards ; Humans ; Models, Statistical ; Quality Control ; *Uncertainty

Polymeric micelles which are self-assembled from amphiphilic copolymers are thermodynamically stable, and they can solubilize hydrophobic drugs by the hydrophilic core. Many excellent active compounds are confined because of general low oral bioavailability due to poor solubility. Take into account from the two points above, polymeric micelles may be used as proper oral carrier to improve the dissolubility of hydrophobic drugs, and enhance the permeation though gastrointestinal tract, therefore, the pharmacodynamics is elevated. Meanwhile, the segments in copolymers are multivariate, so many kinds of micelles can be obtained, such as, pH- or thermo- sensitive as well as mucoadhesive ones. The modified micelles can alter drug release profiles while solubilizing them, that is why the oral bioavailability increase further. In this review, recent progress of polymeric micelles used in oral administration is summarized, and the prospect of polymeric micelles' application in this field is also evaluated.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Biological Availability ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Humans ; Micelles ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; administration & dosage ; Poloxamer ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Risperidone ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Silymarin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Solubility

Objective To investigate the effects of early activities combined with evodia hot salt pack applying to the navel in prophylaxis against abdominal distension after surgery for gynecological malignancies.Methods 318 patients suffered from gynecological malignancies were randomly divided into three groups,activity group (n =102),vitamin B1 group ( n =110) and evodia group ( n =106 ).The activity group began activities within 24 hours after surgery; the vitamin B1 group,in addition to the traditional nursing,received injection of vitamin B1 through tsu-san-li meridians,each side with 50mg; the evodia group,besides the activities,was managed with evodia mixed with hot salt pack applied to the navel.The incidence of abdominal distension,the average time of bowel sound recovery,the first time of flatus passing and defecation of the three groups were compared.Results The incidence of abdominal distension in the evodia group ( 16.9％ ) was significantly lower than that in the activity group (55.9％) and the vitamin B1 group (67.3％) ( x2 =70.50,P ＜ 0.01 ).The average time of bowel sound recovery,the first time flatus passing and defecation in the evodia group [ (30.02 ±4.37)h,(42.16 ± 16.03 )h,(72.62 ± 20.79 )h] was significantly shorter than those in the activity group [ (40.57 ±5.27)h,(74.25 ± 12.14)h,(135.33 ±40.18) h] and the vitamin B1 group [ (44.23 ± 12.16)h,(77.25±16.32)h,(139.71 ±38.25)h] (F=8.88,4.37,5.49; P＜0.01).Conclusions Early activities after surgery combined with evodia hot salt pack applying to the navel could effectively facilitate the recovery of gastrointestinal function for patients suffered from gynecological malignancies and prevent abdominal distension.