The aim of this study is to develop the Tripterygium glycosides nanoemulsion gels and investigate its pharmacodynamics. Oleic acid was used as oil phase, polyoxyethylene castor oil as surfaetant, and 1,2-propanediol as cosurfactant to screen the formula of Tripterygium glycoside nanoemulsion using the pseudo-temary phase diagrams. Then the nanoemulsion gels was prepared. The ICR mouse ears were sensitazated by 7% DNCB, and then were excited by 0.3% DNCB to stimulate the model of mouse chronic dermatitis and eczema. The concentrations of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-8 in mouse blood were determined by ELISA. The results showed that Tripterygium glycosides nanoemulsion gels could significantly inhibit the swelling of mouse ears(P < 0.01) and ameliorate the edama and erythema of model mouse ears skin. Also it could significantly decrease the expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 in model mouse blood. Tripterygium glycosides nanoemulsion gels had a good therapeutic effect on mouse model of dermatitis and eczema. It was expected to provide a new and long-acting exterernal preparation for the treatment of dermatitis and eczema.
Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Dermatitis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Emulsions ; chemistry ; Female ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; immunology ; Interleukin-8 ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of the diameter of the esophageal hiatus on multislice spiral CT(MSCT)and to present the MSCT manifestations of esophageal hiatus hernia (EHH).Methods(1)The distance between diaphragmatic crura(DDC),which indicated the diameter of esophageal hiatus,was measured in 140 normal adult patients on their thoracic and/or abdomenal CT images.(2)The DDC of 56 patients with EHH diagnosed by barium examination was measured on MSCT, and the MSCT findings were analyzed retrospectively.Results(1)The DDC of 140 normal adult cases were(13.44?4.41)mm on average and increased with age.The mean DDCs of patients under the age of 59 year-old(80 cases)and over 60-year-old(60 cases)were 11.03?2.10 mm and 16.67?4.64 mm respective]y,there was a significant difference(t=8.762,P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of total flavonoids of Litsea Coreana (TFLC) on the gap junction (GJ) intercellular communication in TM3 testicular Leydig cells and whether TFLC can reduce the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin (OHP) in vitro.

METHODSWe detected the effect of TFLC on the dye spread of the in vitro cultured TM3 cells by parachute assay, observed changes in the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) total protein in the TFLC-treated TM3 cells by Western blot, and determined the effects of TFLC on the expression of Cx43 on the membrane of the TM3 cells by immunofluorescence assay and on the cytotoxicity of OHP by MTT assay.

RESULTSTFLC obviously enhanced the GJ function with the increasing of the TFLC concentration in the TM3 cells. Western blot and immunofluorescence assay confirmed that TFLC significantly enhanced the expression of Cx43 total protein and Cx43 expression on the membrane of the TM3 cells. MTT assay showed that at a high cell density (confluent with GJ formation), 20 microg/ml TFLC enhanced the GJ function of the TM3 cells and reduced the cytotoxicity of OHP (P < 0.05), while at a low density (preconfluent with no GJ formation), TFLC exhibited no effect on the cytotoxicity of OHP (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTFLC increases the Cx43 expression and GJ function in normal TM3 Leydig cells, and the enhancement of GJ function reduces the cytotoxicity of OHP.

Antineoplastic Agents ; toxicity ; Cell Communication ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Count ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Litsea ; chemistry ; Male ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; antagonists & inhibitors ; toxicity ; Proteins ; metabolism

With human chromosomes,as antigen,anti—human—chromosome antibodies (AhChrA)were detected specifically from SLE patients sera by the methods of immunogold—silver staining(IGSS)and immnuofluorescenee tese (IFT)。To SLE,the sensitivity and specificity of serumAhChrA was 58.1%and98.5%respeetively in IGSS,34.9%and99.5%respectively in IFT。Boththe incidence and titer of AhChrA were found to be colsely related to the pathoactivity and thedamages of some important organs or tissues,such as kidney damage,abnormal immunity andhematocytopenia.A preliminary analysis of the antigen components reacting to AhChrA was alsoperformed。

AIMTo investigate the effects of melatonin (MT) on histology and behavioral tests during global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in gerbils.

METHODSGlobal cerebral ischemia was induced by occluding the bilateral common carotid arteries for 10 min in gerbils. Three doses of MT were administrated intraperitoneally 30 min prior to the onset of ischemia. Locomotor activity was measured by using the open field method 3 and 7 days after the ischemic episode. T maze test was carried out 4, 5 and 6 days after ischemia to assess the working memory of gerbils. Neuronal damage was assessed in CA1 pyramidal layer of gerbil hippocampus and evaluated 7 days after ischemia.

RESULTSMT significantly reversed the locomotor activity increases, ameliorated learning and working memory deficit, and reduced the extent of CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells injury after transient global cerebral ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil.

CONCLUSIONMT provides significantly protective effect against both histological and behavioral consequences of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in gerbils.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; Female ; Gerbillinae ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Memory ; drug effects ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Neurons ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; physiopathology ; prevention & control

AIMTo study the synthesis and antitumour activities of some aryl-substituted pteridines.

METHODSA series of aryl-substituted pteridines were synthesized from 4, 6-diamino-5-nitrosopyrimidines by cyclization with 4-aminophenylacetonitriles. The antitumour activities were tested by MTT method.

RESULTSNine new compounds (I-III) were synthesized and their structures were characterized by EA, IR, 1HNMR and MS spectra. Compounds I-III showed antitumour activities in vitro.

CONCLUSIONCompounds I-III showed remarkable antitumour activities in vitro. No interaction was determined between the title compounds and calf thymus DNA. It indicated that these compounds possibly inhibit dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) or other enzymes on which folic acid depends.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Humans ; KB Cells ; drug effects ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Molecular Structure ; Pteridines ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology

AIMTo study the effects of ginkgolides (Gin) on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (H1F-1alpha) in primary cultured cortical neurons treated with CoCl2 and the relationship with ERK signal pathway.

METHODSWe observed the effects of Gin (37.5 mg/L) on morphology and viability on primary cultured cortical neurons with treatment of CoCl2 (125 micromol/L). The expression of HIF-1alpha and p-ERK of neurons induced by CoCl2 pretreated with Gin were assessed by Western-blot. We analyzed the relationship between HIF-1alpha expression activated by Gin and ERK signal pathway with treatment of PD98059 (100 micromol/L), a selective inhibitor of ERK.

RESULTSIt was shown that Gin had protective effects on CoCl2 damaged neurons by raising the neuronal viability. Some basic expression of HIF-1alpha and p-ERK were observed in normal cultured cortical neurons. The expression of HIF-1alpha and p-ERK increased strikingly when treated with CoCl2 for 4 h. The levels of HIF-1alpha and p-ERK increased even more in the neurons pretreated with Gin for 24 h before CoCl2. The levels of HIF-1alpha and p-ERK were notably inhibited with pretreatment of PD98059, while Gin could prevent this inhibition.

CONCLUSIONGin has protective effects on neurons damaged by CoCl2 which might be related to the increase of the level of HIF-1alpha and the activation of ERK signal pathway.

Animals ; Cell Hypoxia ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Ginkgolides ; pharmacology ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism

Background Corneal neovascularization ( CNV ) is a complication of many ocular surface diseases.It often worsen the pathological course.Effective therapy for CNV is still researching. Objective This study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of irradiation on CNV. Methods CNV models were established in 70 right eyes of 70 clean Wistar rats by corneal alkali burning.The models were randomized into β ray 10 Gy once irradiation group( 2 eyes),β ray 7 Gy multiple irradiation group( 17 eyes),β ray 10 Gy multiple irradiation group( 17 eyes),1％ cyclosporin A ( CsA ) eye drops group ( 17 eyes) and model group ( 17 eyes),and 6 matched normal rats were used as normal controls.All treatments started from the first day of the corneal alkali burning.CNV length and area were measured under the slit lamp every day.Corneal samples and homogenate were prepared 3,5,7 days after corneal alkali burning.The expressions of bcl-2,bax,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in rat corneas were detected by immunochemistry,VEGF proteins and VEGF mRNA were detected by Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),respectively. Results Corneal ulceration was found in the βray 10 Gy once irradiation group and β ray 10 Gy multiple irradiation group.CNV length and area were much less in the β ray 7 Gy multiple irradiation group and 1％ CsA eye drops group compared with the model group on the seventh day after experiment( length:q=14.40,24.20,P＜0.01 ;area:q=17.80,14.00,P＜0.01 ).Immunochemistry revealed that compared with the model group,expressions of bcl-2 and VEGF proteins were weaker,but the expression of bax protein was stronger in the β ray 7 Gy multiple irradiation group and 1％ CsA eye drops group.RT-PCR showed that the expression of VEGF mRNA in cornea was lower in the β ray 10 Gy multiple irradiation group,β ray 7 Gy multiple irradiation group and 1％ CsA eye drops group in comparison with that in model group,and the results from Western blot showed the same pattern as RT-PCR. Conclusions Low dose irradiation of 90Sr-90Y ophthalmic applicator inhibits CNV formation after alkali burn.The study provide a new understanding of the irradiation for the treatment of CNV.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the bacterial pathogenic characteristics of respiratory tract infection in children.

METHODSThe medical data from 14,994 children with respiratory tract infection who were hospitalized in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University between November 2005 and October 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSAmong the 14,994 sputum samples from the children with respiratory tract infection, 3,947 (26.32%) had a positive bacterial culture. The most common bacterial pathogen was Streptococcus pneumonia (12.79%), followed by Haemophilus influenzae (5.02%) and Moraxella catarrhalis (2.91%). The bacterial detection rates differed significantly in different years and seasons and children of different ages (P<0.01). The children who had not taken antibacterial agents before admission had a significantly higher positive bacterial culture rate than those who had taken antibacterial agents (P<0.01). There were significant differences in the bacterial detection rate among the children with different course of disease (<1 month, 1-3 months and >3 months) (P<0.05). The detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Moraxella catarrhalis and Acinetobacter baumannii showed an increased trend with a prolonged disease course (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSStreptococcus pneumonia is the most common bacterial pathogen causing respiratory tract infection in children, followed by Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. The detection rate of bacterial pathogens varies in different years and seasons and children of different ages. The course of the disease and application of antibacterial agents outside hospital can affect the detection rate of bacterial pathogens in children with respiratory tract infection.

Adolescent ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; microbiology ; Seasons ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVEMany children were found to have low free carnitine level in blood by tandem mass spectrometry technology. In some of the cases the problems occurred secondary to malnutrition, organic acidemia and other fatty acid oxidation metabolic diseases, and some of cases had primary carnitine deficiency (PCD). In the present article, we discuss the diagnosis of PCD and evaluate the efficacy of carnitine in the treatment of PCD.

METHODWe measured the free carnitine (C0) and acylcarnitine levels in the blood of 270 000 neonates from newborns screening program and 12 000 children with suspected clinical inherited metabolic diseases by tandem mass spectrometry. The mutations of carnitine transporter protein were tested to the children with low C0 level and the diagnosis was made. The children with PCD were treated with 100 - 300 mg/kg of carnitine.

RESULTSeventeen children were diagnosed with PCD, 6 from newborn screening program and 11 from clinical patients. Mutations were found in all of them. The average C0 level [(2.9 ± 2.0) µmol/L] in patients was lower than the reference value (10 µmol/L), along with decreased level of different acylcarnitines. The clinical manifestations were diverse. For the 6 patients from newborn screening, 4 were asymptomatic, 1 showed hypoglycaemia and 1 showed movement intolerance from 2 years of age. For the 11 clinical patients, 8 showed hepatomegaly, 7 showed myasthenia, 6 showed cardiomyopathy, 1 showed chronic abdominal pain, and 1 showed restlessness and learning difficulty. Among these patients, 14 cases were treated with carnitine. Their clinical symptoms disappeared 1 to 3 months later. The C0 level in the blood rose to normal, with the average from (4.0 ± 2.7) µmol/L to (20.6 ± 8.3) µmol/L (P < 0.01). However, the level was still lower than the average level of healthy children [(27.1 ± 4.5) µmol/L, P < 0.01].

CONCLUSIONSeventeen patients were diagnosed with PCD by the test levels of free carnitine and acylcarnitines in blood with tandem mass spectrometry, and gene mutation test. Large dose of carnitine had a good effect in treatment of the PCD patients.

Cardiomyopathies ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Carnitine ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; deficiency ; genetics ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperammonemia ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Muscular Diseases ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Mutation ; Neonatal Screening ; methods ; Organic Cation Transport Proteins ; deficiency ; genetics ; Reference Values ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry