In order to solve the adhesion and the softening problems of traditional Chinese medicine extract during spray drying, a new method of adding dehumidified air into spray drying process was proposed, and the storage stability conditions of extract powder could be predicted. Kouyanqing extract was taken as model drug to investigate on the wet air (RH = 70%) and dry air conditions of spray drying. Under the dry air condition, the influence of the spray drying result with different air compression ratio and the spray-dried powder properties (extract powder recovery rate, adhesion percentage, water content, angle of repose, compression ratio, particle size and distribution) with 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 °C inlet temperature were studied. The hygroscopic investigation and Tg value with different moisture content of ideal powder were determined. The water activity-equilibrium moisture content (aw-EMC) and the equilibrium moisture content-Tg (EMC-Tg) relationships were fitted by GAB equation and Gordon-Taylor model respectively, and the state diagram of kouyanqing powder was obtained to guide the rational storage conditions. The study found that in the condition of dry air, the extract powder water content decreased with the increase of air compression ratio and the spray drying effect with air compression ratio of 100% was the best performance; in the condition of wet air, the extract powder with high water content and low yield, and the value were 4.26% and 16.73 °C, while, in the dry air condition the values were 2.43% and 24.86 °C with the same other instru- ment parameters. From the analysis of kouyanqing powder state diagram, in order to keep the stability, the critical water content of 3.42% and the critical water content of 0.188. As the water decreased Tg value of extract powder is the major problem of causing adhesion and softening during spray drying, it is meaningful to aid dehumidified air during the process.
Drug Stability ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Humidity ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Powders ; Temperature

BACKGROUND: Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus can be used to treat many diseases of cardiovesculer and neurosystem by calming and protecting endothelium and neuron.OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of drinking water extracts of Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus on body mass, food intake, energy intakes, serum glucose, insulin, total antioxidative ability of high-fat-fed rats.DESIGN: A completely randomized and controlled experiment.SETTING: Institute of Physiology, Foundational Medical College of Lanzhou University.MATERIALS: The experiment which is Gansu Province Key Labor of Pre-clinical Research for Chinese Herbs & New Drugs was carried out at the Physiological Laboratory of Institute of Foundational Medical College of Lanzhou University from March 2003 to May 2003. Twenty-seven healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the following three groups (9 rats each group): namely, the normal control group, the high-fat-fed group and the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group.METHODS: [1] The rats of control group were fed with referenced diets(Protein, fat and carbohydrate was made up fore18.2%, 4.5%, 55.2% respectively), while the rats of high-fat-fed and the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group were fed with high-fat diets in which protein, fat and carbohydrate accounted for 23.7%, 21.6%, 39.0% respectively. [2]The rats in control and high-fat group could drink water freely every day while the rats in Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group drank freely one percent water extract of Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus at the first day of the experiment, later the concentration of Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus increased gradually to six percent at the sixth day, which lasted until the end of the experiment. [3]Food intake was monitored daily, and body mass weekly at set time, the energy intake was calculated on basis of food intake. We calculated the Lee's Index [(body mass)1/3 (g) × 103 / body length (cm)]. [4] At the end of the seventh week, all rats were fasted for twelve hours to collect blood for the measure of some serum items. The serum levels of glucose were determined with hexokinase. The levels of insulin was measured by Radioimmunology methods. Malondiadehyde was measured by thiobarbituricbased colorimetric assay. Total antioxidative ability and free fatty acid were evaluated by colorimetric assay. [5] The difference of quantity data among the tree groups were statistically analyzed by F analysis, while the difference between two groups was analyzed by LSD methods. The main indexes of the experiment were body mass, food intake, energy intake, serum glucose after fasting, insulin, free fatty acid, malondialdehyde and total antioxidative ability respectively.RESULTS: Twenty-seven rats date was analyzed and nine rats in every group. [1] Body mass: Compared with the high-fat-fed group, body mass in rats of the control group and the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group were less from the end of the third week to the end of the experiment (P ＜ 0.05-0.01).As compared between the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group and the control group, there was no significant difference from the first week to the sixth week (P ＞ 0.05), while the body mass of the former group was bigger than that of the latter at the end of the seventh week (P ＜ 0.01). [2] Lee's Index of the rats in high-fat-fed group was significantly higher than those of the rats in the control and Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group (P ＜ 0.01).[3] Food intake: From the first week, compared with the control group, the food intake of rats in Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group was less (P ＜ 0.01)and lower than that in high-fat-fed group at the end of the third, fifth, sixth and seventh week, too (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). [4] Energy intake: As the food was high-fat, the Energy intake of rats in the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group was higher than that of the control group at the end of the first, second and forth week (P ＜ 0.05-0.01), while less than that of the high-fat-fed group at the end of the third, fifth, sixth and seventh week (P ＜ 0.01). [5] The serum glucose: There was no statistical significance among the three groups. [6]The level of serum insulin and malondiadehyde of the rats in high-fat-fed group were higher than that of the control group and the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus (P ＜ 0.01). [7] The level of free fatly acid of rats in high-fat-fed group was higher than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05), while there wasno statistical difference compared with the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group. [8] The level of total antioxidative of the rats in high-fat group was lower than that of the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: [1] Drinking water extracts of Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus could inhibit the weight gain and food intake, [2] reduce level of free radical and insulin of serum, which could be caused by the dec lining of free fatty acid. [3] In the same time, increase the total antioxidative ability of the obese rats caused by high-fat diets.

Objective To study the role of preoperative CA19-9 level in predicting resectability of pancreatic cancer.Methods Preoperative CA19-9 levels were determined by radioimmunoassay.The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the cut-off point.The clinical value of the level of CA19-9 as a predictive marker of resectability was evaluated by the area under curve.Results The preoperative CA19-9 levels in the resectahle group was (313.6±515.5) kU/L,which was significantly lower than (852.1± 865.1)kU/L in the unresectable group (P＜0.001).The cut-off point of CA19-9 for predicting pancreatic cancer resectability was 312.1 kU/L,which had a sensitivity of 56.6％ and a specificity of 73.3％.The area under curve was 0.67.Conclusions The preoperative CA19-9 level may be used to predict resectability of pancreatic cancer.

Objective To explore the febrile response and placental pathological inflammation of pregnant rats exposed to intrauterine infection in late gestation.Methods Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats at gestational day 18 were randomly divided into control group and intrauterine-infected group with six rats in each.The intrauterine-infected group was intraperitoneally injected with 350 μ g/kg lipopolysaccharide to establish a rat model of intrauterine infection,while the control group was injected with sterile saline of the same dose.Core temperature was measured every 1 h after intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide or saline for 8 h.At gestational day 19,after anesthesia,the placentas were taken and stained with HE.The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,and interleukin-1β in the placenta were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Student t test was used for statistical analysis.Results (1) There was no temperature difference between the two groups before experimental treatment (P ＞ 0.05).Core temperature was increased 1 h after the lipopolysaccharide injection,reaching (37.67 ±0.08) ℃.The increase of temperature was significant compared with the control group [(37.13 ± 0.08) ℃,t=10.178,P ＜ 0.01].Fever was lowered 2 h later and the rats became hypothermic with body temperature below 37 ℃ in the intrauterine-infected group.The body temperature in the intrauterine-infected group after 2-6 h was (37.70 ± 0.10),(37.23 ± 0.05),(36.57 ± 0.06),(36.60 ± 0.10) and (36.57 ± 0.08) ℃,respectively,compared with the control group [(36.83 ±0.12),(36.63 ± 0.12),(36.71 ± 0.07),(36.87±0.12),and (36.77±0.08) ℃,respectively],the differences being all statistically significant (t=11.402,11.163,-4.025,-4.000 and-4.243,all P ＜ 0.01).(2) HE staining revealed large amounts of neutrophils infiltration,vascular enlargement and congestion in the placenta of the intrauterine-infected rats.No inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in the control placentas.(3) The expression levels of proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α [(0.62 ± 0.02) ng/g],interleukin-6 [(66.12 ± 5.11) ng/g],and interleukin-1β [(7.09± 1.23) ng/g] in the intrauterine-infected group were higher than those in the control group [(0.27±0.01),(16.71 ±1.55) and (2.86 ± 0.38) ng/g,respectively].The differences were all statistically significant (t=-26.608,-18.749 and-5.714,all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion After exposure to lipopolysaccharide in late gestation,pregnant rats show significant inflammatory response in the placenta,with suppression of febrile response and presence of hypothermia.

Objective To assess the antiangiogenic role of recombinant human endostatin combined with chemoradiotherapy and the capacity,and to explore the early tumor response as measured by comparing the change of MRI perfusion parameter.Methods From May 2012 to March 2013,22 locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who received recombinant human endostatin combined with chemoradiotherapy following induction chemotherapy,were included in the prospective study group.The other 25 patients,who received chemoradiotherapy following induction chemotherapy alone in the same period,were included in the control group.The perfusion parameters including blood volume(BV),blood flux(BF),mean transit time (MTT) were obtained by carrying out MR perfusion scanning at 3 time points:before induction chemotherapy,after induction chemotherapy,the end of concurrent chemoradiotherapy.Results Compared with before induction chemotherapy,the perfusion parameters including BV and BF obviously decreased in the study group (F =3.05,3.85,P ＜ 0.05).The parameter of MTT had no obviously change in the study group(P ＞0.05).In the control group,the change of BV,BF and MTT of nasopharyngeal lesions area during the treatment showed no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).To make comparison between the two groups,at the end of concurrent chemoradiotherapy,BF of nasopharyngeal lesions area in the study group was 0.72 ± 0.56 and 1.92 ± 1.26 in the control group,the former showing significantly declined results (t =-3.056,P =0.012).Conclusions Recombinant human endostatin might be a good indicator of local tumor microvascular changes and the treatment-related toxicity could be tolerated.Magnetic resonance perfusion imaging maybe assessed the capacity of anti-angiogenesis therapy to induce early tumor response.Clinical trial registration Chinese clinical trial registry,ChiCRTONRC-12002394.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of Ki-67, Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 in simple benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and BPH combined with prostatitis,and to evaluate the effect of inflammation on the development and progression of BPH. METHODS: All specimens were obtained from patients undergoing surgical resection of the prostate. The paraffin section of the specimens was stained with hemotoxyline and eosin, and observed under light microscope to examine the inflammation hispathological changes. Sixteen patients with simple BPH (Group A) and 42 patients with BPH combined with prostatitis (Group B) were included. Immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot were used to examine the expression of Ki-67, Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3. RESULTS: The expression of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 was significantly higher in Group B than that in Group A (P<0.05), and caspase-3 expression was significantly lower (P<0.05). There was no difference in Bax expression between the 2 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Prostatitis can up-regulate Ki-67, Bcl-2 expression, and down-regulate the expression of caspase-3 in BPH. Prostatitis appeared to play an important role in the development of BPH by affecting the proliferation and apoptosis of the prostatic cells.
Aged ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; complications ; metabolism ; Prostatitis ; complications ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; Up-Regulation ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of atorvastatin on C-reactive protein (CRP) induced Toll-Like receptor 4 (TLR4)expression on CD14+ monocyte, and the production of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9), and to study the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of statins.

METHODSThe monocytes were isolated from blood of healthy volunteers by the Ficoll density gradient and stimulated by CRP with different doses (5, 25, 50, 100 microg/ml) and different exposure time (6, 12, 24, 48 h). Cells were also incubated with atorvastatin of different doses (1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 micromol/L) in the presence of CRP 50 microg/ml. The protein expression of TLR4 was measured by flow cytometry, mRNA expression of TLR4 and of myeloid differentiation protein (MD2)was detected by quantitative PCR. TNFalpha, IL-6, MMP-9 concentrations in supernatants of cultured medium were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the un-stimulated control group, enhanced TLR4 protein expression was already detected at a concentration of 5 microg/ml of CRP and increased in a dose-dependent manner (32.22 +/- 2.80)%, (49.94 +/- 5.58)%, (74.82 +/- 3.24)% and (90.82 +/-2.88)% at 5, 25, 50 and 100 microg/ml CRP. (2) TLR4 protein expression on 50 microg/ml CRP stimulated cells also increased in a time-dependent manner (29.80 +/- 2.70)%, (47.44 +/- 4.41)%, (81.71 +/- 2.92)% and (50.57 +/- 3.34)% after 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h. (3) When monocytes were incubated with CRP 50 microg/ml and atorvastatin (1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 micromol/L), protein expression [(68.17 +/- 1.71)%, (52.43 +/- 1.38)%, (27.72 +/- 4.55)%, (17.46 +/- 3.20)%, (9.99 +/- 2.81)%] and mRNA expression (82.72%, 67.34%, 48.16%, 30.88%, 13.85%) of TLR4 as well as mRNA expression of MD2 (81.78%, 71.04%, 47.85%, 27.06%, 18.30%) were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. (4) Level of TNFalpha, IL-6 and MMP-9 in supernatants was significantly reduced by atorvastatin (2.5 micromol/L) compared with control group (P < 0.01). When monocyte incubated with CRP 50 microg/ml and atorvastatin 10.0 micromol/L, the level of TNFalpha, IL-6, MMP-9 decreased to (25.8 +/- 2.5) microg/ml, (128.2 +/- 14.7) pg/ml, (65.2 +/- 12.3) ng/ml, respectively.

CONCLUSIONCRP increased the protein expression of TLR4 on CD14+ monocyte in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Atorvastatin can inhibit the signal transduction of TLR4 and reduce proinflammatory cytokines release induced by CRP on CD14 monocyte, and this might be one of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of atorvastatin.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Heptanoic Acids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Pyrroles ; pharmacology ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism

Lymph metastasis has great impact on the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients, which can relfect the biological and invasive potential of pancreatic cancer. However, currently, there is no standard in the clinical management of the lymph metastasis in pancreatic cancer. In this report, we will discuss and summarize the followings:lymph metastatic rate and its impact on prognosis, the rule of lymph metastasis, sentinel lymph node, intra-operative lymph nodes mapping, TNM staging, regional lymph nodes resection, number of lymph nodes examined, lymph node ratio, guiding adjuvant treatments, lymphatic targeted therapy.

Objective: To assess the quality for meta-analysis on prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) in China.
Methods: We systemically searched 4 Chinese databases of VIP, CNKI, CBM and Wan Fang for their meta-analysis on CAD prevention and treatment from 1987-01 to 2013-10. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 2 researchers independently screened and cross-checked all the literatures. The qualities of methodology and report were evaluated by R-AMSTAR and PRISMA scales.
Results: A total of 201 literatures were enrolled for our study. The average score of methodology quality was (24.65±3.97), no literature met all required items, and the major problems were as lack of“a priori design”, insufifcient and bias of data selection combining inappropriate data synthesis. The average score of report quality was (17.20 ± 2.90), no literature met all 27 required items, and the major problems were as incomplete report of abstract, objective, protocol and registration, incomplete data collection/analysis, using and publishing bias information, incomplete quality assessment.
Conclusion: Both of methodology and report of meta-analysis for CAD prevention and treatment have quality problems at different levels, further improvement should be expected.

Objective To demonstrate the morphology,distribution and ultrastructure of intersti- tial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the mouse gallbladder.Methods CD1 mice gallbladder tissue was stained with methylene blue for immunohistochemical examination by confocal microscopy and transmission elec- tron microscopy.Results The results revealed a dark blue network of ICC in the gallbladder.ICC were spindle-shaped,with thin and long processes in two poles.They were distributed in the all layers of the gall bladder wall.The ICC that had typical ultrastructure were adjacent to the smooth muscle and nerve cells. Conclusions Spindle-shaped ICC are present as a network structure in the gallbladder,which may act as slow wave pacemaker cells and have a major role in the transmission of signals from neurons to smooth muscle cells.