BACKGROUND: Dialysis-related amyloid may occur during long-term dialysis for patients with uraemia, of which the main evocator is β_2-microglobulin (β_22M); therefore, how to eliminate 132M from blood is always the focus of research. OBJECTIVE: To observe ability of removal of β_2-microglobulin (β_2M) from serum using two kinds of polyethersulfone (PES) membrane materials with various degrees of sulfonation.METHODS: These materials were incubated in radio-labeled β_2M (~(125)Ⅰ-β_2M) solution and human serum respectively at appointed time at 37 ℃, and then the amounts of ~(125)Ⅰ-β_2M and serumβ_2M adsorbed by materials were measured by radio immunoassay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the ~(125)Ⅰ-β_2M system, amounts of ~(125)Ⅰ-β_2M adsorbed by the materials decreased in the following sequence PES with high degree of sulfonation > PES with low degree of sulfonation > PES, whatever the source of PES was. In the serum system, amounts of β_2M adsorbed reached maximums at 30 minutes and the final adsorptions decreased in sequence of PES with high degree of sulfonation > PES with low degree of sulfonaUon > PES. Sulfonated PES removed β_2M more than PES did and the adsorption of β_2M increases with the increase in the degree of sulfonation. Its ability to remove significant amount of β_2M may result in less β_2M available for incorporation into amyloid. The use of sulfonated PES membranes may lessen the likelihood of development of dialysis-related amyloidosis, which remains a major source of morbidity for patients treated with long-term hemodialysis.

Objective To investigate the antiviral efficacy of standard treatment with interferon (IFN)-α 2b and ribavirin (RBV) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) originating from a same blood donor.Methods The test group consisted of 65 CHC patients originating from a same blood donor,and was treated with IFN-α 2b 3-5 MU every other day in combination with RBV 0.6-1.0 g/d.Meantime,the control group consisted of 32 CHC patients who visited the Department of Infectious Diseases in Qiannan People's Hospital,and was treated with Peg-interferon (PEG-IFN)-α 2a 180 μg every week in combination with RBV 0.6-1.0 g/d.All the patients in the two groups were treated for 48 weeks and followed up for 96 weeks.Assessment indictors included sustained virological response (SVR),early virological response (EVR),end of treatment virological response (ETVR),biochemical response after withdrawal of treatment.Side effects during treatment were also evaluated.Measurement data were analyzed by x2 test.Results In test group,SVR rate was 83.1％ (54/65),EVR rate was 93.8％ (61/65),ETVR rate was 86.2％ (56/65) and biochemical response rate after withdrawal of treatment was 100.0％.In control group,SVR rate was 87.5％ (28/32),EVR rate was 96.9 ％ (31/32),ETVR rate was 90.6 ％ (29/32) and biochemical response rate after withdrawal of treatment was 100.0 ％.SVR rates of the two groups were not significantly different (x2 =0.072,P=0.086).Patients of the two groups were divided into two subgroups according to viral load:hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA＜1.0 × 106 copy/mL and HCV RNA≥1.0 × 106 copy/mL.SVR rates of patients with low and high viral load in test group were 88.9％ and 54.5％,respectively (x2=7.67,P=0.008),those in control group were 96.0％ and 57.1％,respectively (x2 =4.41,P=0.038).SVR rates were higher in the subgroup of patients with low viral load.Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were more common in control group than in test group (x2 =9.805,P =0.003 ; x2 =6.643,P=0.009).Conclusion IFN-α 2b and RBV combination therapy has similar antiviral efficacy to that of PEG-IFN-α 2a and RBV combination therapy,and has a lower rate of side effects as well.

Pharmaceutical preparations, particularly as a "secret recipe" of traditional Chinese medicine in medical institutions, are the product of China's medical and health industry, and they are also an important means of competing of different medical institutions. Although pharmaceutical preparations have advantages and characteristics than institutes for drug and pharmaceutical companies, the quality standards of pharmaceutical preparations in medical institutions has not reached the desired level over the years. As we all know, the quality of pharmaceutical preparations is important to ensure the efficacy, especially under the environment of people pay more sttention on drug safety and effectiveness and contry increase emphasis on the stste of pharmaceutical preparations. In view of this, we will improve the grade, stability, and clinical efficacy of pharmaceutical preparations by the advanced equipment, testing instruments and the process dynamic quality control technology. Finally, we hope we can provide new ideas for the quality control of pharmaceutical preparations.
Drug Compounding ; standards ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Quality Control

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic and preventive effects of paeoniflorin ( PF) on APP/PS1 mice, and to explore the possible mechanism. METHODS:Fifteen male 5-month-old APP/PS1 non-dominant mice were chosen as normal control group, 15 male 5-month-old APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were used as model group, and 15 male 5-month-old APP/PS1 double transgenic mice treated with 5 mg/kg PF by intraperitoneal injection were allocated in administation group. The learning and memory ability of the mice in each group was detected by Morris water maze. The apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL fluorescence staining. The protein expression of PI3K, Akt, p-PI3K, p-Akt, caspase-3, caspase-9, Bcl-2 and Bax in cerebral cortex and hippocampus was detected by Western Blot. The protein expression levels and distribution of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:(1) Compared with nor-mal control group, the learning and memory ability declined in APP/PS1 model group. Compared with APP/PS1 model group, PF obviously improve the ability of learning and memory in mice. (2) Compared with normal control group, the ap-optosis of nerve cells in APP/PS1 model group significantly increased and distributed in wider areas, while that in PF group was reduced (P<0.05). (3) Compared with APP/PS1 model group, PF could significantly lower pro-apoptotic factors, caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax (P<0.05), and increase the expression of anti-apoptotic factors, p-PI3K, p-Akt and Bcl-2 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:PF can up-regulate the expression of Bcl-2 and down-regulate the expression levels of caspase-9, caspase-3 and Bax via the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway, thereby inhibiting the nerve cell apoptosis and pro-tecting the nerve cells, so as to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

This study was performed to evaluate the adsorption of beta2-microglobulin(beta2 M) by blood dialysis membrane materials which are polyethersulfone (PES), sulfonated polyethersulfones, (PES-SO3Na-I and PES-SO3Na-I ) in vitro incubated in human serum and radiolabeled beta2M (125I-beta2 M) solution respectively. In these experiments, the materials were incubated in 125I-beta2 M solution and human serum at the appointed time ranging from 15 minutes to four hours at 37 degrees C, and then the amounts of 125I-beta2M and serum beta2M adsorbed by materials were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). In the 125I-beta2 M system, amounts of 125I-beta2M adsorbed by the materials decreased in sequence of PES-SO3 Na-II > PES-SO3Na-I > PES. In the serum system, amounts of beta2M adsorbed reached maximums at 30 minutes and the final adsorptions decreased in sequence of PES-SO3Na-II > PES-SO3Na-I > PES. Sulfonated PES removes beta2M more than PES does and the adsorption of beta2M increases with the increase in the degree of sulfonation. Its ability to remove significant amount of beta2M may result in less beta2M available for incorporation into amyloid. The use of PES-SO3Na membranes lessens the likelihood of dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) development, which remains a major source of morbidity for patients treated with long-term hemodialysis.
Adsorption ; Amyloidosis ; blood ; Humans ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Renal Dialysis ; adverse effects ; Sulfones ; chemistry ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; blood

OBJECTIVETo assess the reaction of cytokines induced killer (CIK) cells treatment in hematopoietic injury at different levels on patients with benzene poisoning and seek a novel, safe and effective immunotherapy for benzene poisoning.

METHODSCIK cells were in vitro activated by interleukin-2 (IL-2) and granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Thirty-two patients with benzene poisoning were treated with CIK cells. Nineteen patients with mild or moderate benzene poisoning in the control group were treated with VitB4, batilol, leucogen, inosine and stanozolol. The results for treatment of 12 patients with aplastic anemia induced by severe benzene poisoning (the efficacy rate and the case fatality rate) were analyzed. The change of T-lymphocyte subset analyzed by flow cytometry was also observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSFor mild or moderate benzene poisoning, the increase of WBC and RLT in CIK group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The CD(4)/CD(8) levels were significantly increased after CIK treatment. And for severe benzene poisoning, the effective rate of the CIK group was 91.7% and the mortality rate was 0%.

CONCLUSIONCIK treatment is safe and effective for hematopoietic injury caused by benzene poisoning. The mechanism may be related with the immune modulation of CIK treatment on immunodeficiency of patients with benzene poisoning.

Adult ; Benzene ; poisoning ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; immunology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of total flavonoid extract of Epimedium sagittatum (TFE) on the proliferation and differentiation of newborn rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROB).

METHODTFE was supplemented into the culture medium of ROB at 0. 1, 1, 10 and 100 microg x mL(-1) respectively. The serum of rats administered TFES (SRAT) was also added into the medium in a parallel treatment at 2.5%, 5% and 10% respectively. Their effects on cell proliferation and differentiation was studied by MTT and the analysis of osteogenic differentiation marks.

RESULTTFE had no appreciable and on cell proliferation and differentiation at any concentration. However, 2.5% and 5% SRAT stimulated cell proliferation strongly and, 5% SRAT significantly promoted the maturation and function of osteoblast by improving the alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin secretion, calcium deposition and the number of mineralized nodular structures.

CONCLUSIONThe metabolites of TFE should be the anti-osteoporosis constitutes of Epimedium sagittatum.

Animals ; Calcification, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; blood ; pharmacology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To assess the income status of primary care providers and to explore the determinants of income in a county of Dali. Methods In August 2016, the questionnaire was employed to collect the data of income status of 191 rural health workers and 217 village doctors in the county. Results Through the study, we found that the income of rural health workers in the county was 34, 000 (26, 000, 46,000) yuan with a satisfaction rate of 62.3% (95% CI 55.4%～69.2%) and no change (74.7%) was seen in the income among majorities after implementing the Zero Mark-up Policy for essential medicines. For the village doctors, the income was 20,000 (15,000, 24,000) yuan with a satisfaction rate of 40.6% (95% CI 34.0%～47.1%) and a fall of the income was found in more than half of the doctors after the implement of the policy. Conclusion Health care workers in towns are quite satisfied with their income whereas those in health stations of villages are not content, compared with the average income at the national level. We should increase government's investments on grass-root healthcare team, improve the incentive pay plans and promote the integrated management of health facilities in towns and villages.

OBJECTIVETo prepare the monoclonal antibody (mAb) against tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases I (TIMP-I) fusion protein.

METHODSTIMP-I gene was amplified from fibrotic human liver tissue by RT-PCR, then ligated with pQE31 to form recombinant plasmid pQE-TIMP-I and transformed into E. coli BL21. The protein induced by IPTG was purified by 6 x His-tag and used to immunize the BALB/c mice. The specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were prepared by the cell fusion technique. Western Blot were used to detect specificity of mAbs.

RESULTSThe prokaryotic plasmid expressing the recombinant protein was constructed, and the TIMP-I recombinant protein was expressed and purified. Four hybridoma cell lines that secreted anti-TIMP-I mAbs were obtained. 3 of 4 mAbs were the IgG1 subtype. Western Blot indicated the mAbs showed specific combination with TIMP-I protein.

CONCLUSIONThe TIMP-I recombinant protein is highly purified and has strong antigenicity. The anti- TIMP-I mAbs were prepared successfully.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To determine the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and its determinants in the elderly hypertensive patients of Dean nationality so as to explore the associated determinants. Methods This was a cross-sectional, population-based survey. A total of 939 persons aged 60 years and older sampled by stratified sampling method from the elderly population of Dean nationality were examined from July to September 2016. Meanwhile, the data of medical history and examination were collected. Results There were 353 elderly patients with hypertension in the 939 subjects. The awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in the elderly hypertensive patients (EHP), which was 47.3％, 36.5％and 22.1％respectively, were higher than the results of previous national study and had the upward trends with the increasing age (<0.05) . In comparison with the reference group, EHP living in middle economic level area had the higher awareness, treatment and control of hypertension (<0.05) . The results of covariate-adjusted multilevel logistic regression model indicated that there was a cross-level interaction effect between middle economic level area and dyslipidemia on the awareness and treatment of hypertension respectively, and a cross-level interaction effect between middle economic level area and low fat diet on the control of hypertension ( <0.05) . The individual level covariates, age (OR=1.3412, 1.3144, 95％ CI 1.0217-1.7609, 1.0030-1.7225) and diabetes ( OR=2.6735, 2.3078, 95％ CI 1.0721-6.6672, 1.0240-5.2007), had the positive association with the awareness and treatment of hypertension;age (OR=1.4740, 95％CI 1.0034-2.1654), non-drinking (OR=3.2056, 95％CI 1.5554-6.6066) and low salt diet (OR=3.6969, 95％CI 1.7996-7.5946) had the positive association with the control of hypertension. Conclusion The awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in the EHP of Dean nationality were higher than those of the national level, and the dominant factors were economic level, age, dyslipidemia, diabetes, non-drinking, low fat diet and low salt diet, etc.