Objective To investigate the effect of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) on the degranulation of mast cells and the permeability of gastric mucosa in BALB/c mice, in order to provide further evidence for the important role of Hp in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria (CU). Methods Seventy healthy BALB/c mice were randomly classified into 3 different groups, namely, Hp group (n = 30), fed with Hp liquid once every 3 days for a total of 7 times, and two control groups, alcohol group (n = 20) fed with 45 percent alcohol solution, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) group (n = 20) fed with BSA 2% solution. Alteration in the blood sucrose level was used to assess the permeability of gastric mucosa. Toluidine blue staining of gastric mucosa was used to assess the total number of mast cells, the amount of degranulated mast cells and the per-centage of degranulated cells after feeding. Results There was a statistically significant difference between the total number of mast cells (F = 207.59, P < 0.01 ) and the percentage of degranulated mast cells (F = 108.16, P <0.01 ) among the three groups, with the highest number and percentage observed in the Hp group followed by the alcohol group. In both groups, the concentration of blood sucrose was increased after feed-ing, with a higher increase in the alcohol group; no significant change occurred in the concentration of blood sucrose in the BSA group (F = -4.06, P > 0.05 ), which differed significantly from the other two groups (F =277.03, P< 0.01 ). Conclusions Hp infection could increase the number and degranulation of mast cells in gastric mucosa, resulting in the release of histamines and vasoactive mediators, which may be related to the manifestation of urticaria.

The aim of this study is to prepare self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of the mixture of paeonol (Pae) and borneol (Bor). Solubility test, ternary phase diagrams and simplex lattice method were employed to screen and optimize the formulation of the mixture of Pae and Bor-loaded SMEDDS. After formed into microemulsions, the particle diameter (PD) was determined and a TEM was employed to observe the microemulsions' morphology. The contents of Pae and Bor were determined by gas chromatography. As a result, while ethyl oleate (EO) as the oil phase, cremophor EL35 (EL35) as surfactant and Transcutol HP (HP) as cosurfactant, the range of the microemulsion on the ternary phase diagram was larger than other combinations. And at a ratio of 20:45:35, the microemulsions' PD was about 34 nm and the polydispersity index (PI) was about 0.2. There were 16% of Pae, 2% of Bor, 16% of EO, 37% of EL35 and 29% of HP in the prepared SMEDDS. The preparation process of the Pae and Bor-loaded SMEDDS based on Xingbi Fang is simple and feasible. This study provides a reference for the researches on the related traditional Chinese medicine and the related components.

BACKGROUNDIn recent years, a variety of minimally invasive lumbar surgery techniques have achieved desirable efficacy, but some dispute remains regarding the advantages over open surgery. This study aimed to compare minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion via MAST Quadrant retractor with open surgery in terms of perioperative factors, postoperative back muscle function, and 24-month postoperative follow-up results.

METHODSFrom September 2006 to June 2008, patients with single-level degenerative lumbar spine disease who were not responsive to conservative treatment were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomized to undergo either minimally invasive surgery (MIS, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion via MAST Quadrant retractor, 41 cases) or open surgery (improved transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, 38 cases).

RESULTSThe MIS group had longer intraoperative fluoroscopy time than the open surgery group, and the open surgery group had significantly increased postoperative drainage volume and significantly prolonged postoperative recovery time compared with the MIS group (P < 0.05 for all). MRI scanning showed that the T2 relaxation time in the multifidus muscle was significantly shorter in the MIS group than in the open surgery group at 3 months after surgery (P < 0.01). Surface electromyography of the sacrospinalis muscle showed that the average discharge amplitude and frequency were significantly higher in the MIS group than in the open surgery group (P < 0.01). The Oswestry disability index and visual analog scale scores were better at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively than preoperatively in both groups. Both groups of patients met the imaging convergence criteria at the last follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSMIS can effectively reduce sacrospinalis muscle injury compared with open surgery, which is conducive to early functional recovery. In the short term, MIS is superior to open surgery, but in the long term there is no significant difference between the two procedures.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Spinal Diseases ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDRenal transplantation in sensitized candidates remains a highly significant challenge worldwide. The production of panel reactive antibody (PRA) against human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a major risk factor in presensitized recipients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of HLA matching and recipients' PRA on two-year outcome in presensitized renal allograft recipients.

METHODSWe determined the percentage of panel reactivity and specificity of anti-HLA immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies in 73 presensitized renal allograft recipients compared with 81 unsensitized recipients (control group). HLA genotyping of both recipients and corresponding donors was performed by PCR with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). We analyzed the factors influencing the early graft outcome (two-year rejection rates and survival rates of the grafts), including HLA mismatching, class and degree of panel reactivity, and target antigen of donors.

RESULTSPresensitized recipients had a worse two-year outcome than unsensitized recipients (P = 0.019 for rejection rate, P = 0.01 for survival rate). The difference in number of HLA-mismatched alleles with either 6-antigen matching (Ag M) standard or amino acid residue matching (Res M) standard was not significant between the rejection and non-rejection groups of presensitized recipients or between the graft survival group and graft loss group. Compared with the control group, recipients with both PRA-I and PRA-II antibodies had a significantly worse two-year outcome (P = 0.001 for rejection rate, P = 0.002 for survival rate). The two-year outcomes of the peak PRA >/= 50% group and its subgroup, at-transplant PRA > or = 50% group, were significantly worse compared with the control group (P = 0.025 and P = 0.001 for rejection rate, P = 0.043 and P = 0.024 for survival rate). The rejection rates of the at-transplant target antigen positive group and its subgroup, HLA-I target antigen positive group, were significantly higher than the control group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001), target antigen negative group (P = 0.003 and P = 0.001), and peak target antigen positive with negative at-transplant target antigen group (P = 0.024 and P = 0.002). Two-year graft survival rates of the target antigen positive group and HLA-I target antigen positive group were significantly lower than the control group (P = 0.012 and P = 0.001). The two-year outcome of target antigen unknown group was similar to that of the target antigen positive group. Presensitized recipients with pre-transplant plasmapheresis or immunoadsorption (PRA prepared group) had a better but non-significant two-year outcome than the control group. However, the PRA unprepared presensitized recipients were different to the control group (P = 0.004 for rejection rate and P = 0.005 for survival rate). Hyperacute rejection (HR) occurred in three recipients with positive HLA-I target antigen and without mismatch according to Res M and in one case with positive PRA-II (for an unknown target antigen). No HR occurred in eight cases with positive HLA-II target antigens.

CONCLUSIONSPre-transplant PRA preparations might improve the access of presensitized patients to renal donors. Avoiding antigen-positive donors remains a fundamental measure in preventing HR and early rejections.

Adult ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; immunology ; Graft Survival ; immunology ; HLA Antigens ; immunology ; Histocompatibility Testing ; Humans ; Isoantibodies ; blood ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; immunology ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transplantation, Homologous ; immunology ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of the stems and leaves of Aconitum coreanum (Lèvl.) Rapaics.

METHODSThe constituents of Aconitum coreanum were isolated by using various kinds of modern chromatographic methods. The new alkaloid was identified on the basis of spectral analysis.

RESULTSTwo compounds were isolated and identified as: 13-dehydro-1beta-acetyl-2alpha,6beta-dihydroxyhetisine (I) and Guanfu base G (II).

CONCLUSIONCompound I is a new alkaloid.

Aconitum ; chemistry ; Diterpenes ; Heterocyclic Compounds, Bridged-Ring ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in diagnosis of enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes (LNs), mediastinal occupying lesion of unknown origin, as well as in N-staging for lung cancer. Methods EUS-FNA was performed via esophagus with a 22-gange needle in 61 patients, followed by pathological and cytological examinations. Results The positive diagnosis rate of EUS-FNA was 93.4% (57/61), and the cytological and pathological diagnostic accuracy were 85.2% (52/61) and 83.6% (51/61), respectively. Of 61 patients, 26 were suspected as having lung cancer with mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis, but the bronchoscopy failed to confirm the diag-nosis. EUS-FNA diagnosed lung cancer in 21 and benign lesion in 5. Of 22 patients with mediastinal occupying lesions of unknown origin, 19 (86.4%) were diagnosed by EUS-FNA. Of 7 patients with malignant tumor history and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, EUS-FNA confirmed mediastinal metastasis in 6 (85.7%). Six cases of lung cancer with suspected mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis were confirmed by EUS-FNA and the corresponding therapy regimen was modified. No complications related to EUS-FNA procedure occurred. Conclusion EUS-FNA is a safe and effective method for diagnosis of enlarged medistinal LNs, mediastinal lesion of unkown origin and N-stage of lung cancer.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) combined with transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in the diagnosis of mediastinal and pulmonary hilar lesions as well as in the lymph node staging (N staging) of lung cancer.

METHODS129 patients with mediastinal and pulmonary hilar lesions underwent either TBNA or EUS-FNA with cytological needle aspiration. The samples obtained from TBNA or EUS-FNA were examined by both cytologiy and histopathology.

RESULTSOf the 129 patients, 59 underwent TBNA and 70 EUS-FNA. The diagnostic rate were 84.7% (50/59) by TBNA and 94.3% (66/70) by EUS-FNA, resepectively. The diagnosis of 116 (89.9%) patients were confirmed by either TBNA or EUS-FNA. The pathological and cytological diagnostic rates were 92.2% (107/116) and 88.0% (102/116), resepectively. The diagnostic rate was elevated by 8.4% (9/107) through pathological examination. The histological classification rates by cytological and pathological examination were 73.8% (76/116) and 89.3% (92/103), respectively. The diagnostic rate of histological classification was elevated by 35.5% (27/76) through pathological examination.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of TBNA and EUS-FNA can improve the diagnostic rate for wider mediastinal and pulmlonary hilar lesions. Pathological examination of the samples obtained from the TBNA and EUS-FNA can elevate not only the rate of diagnosis but also the rate of histological classification.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; methods ; Biopsy, Needle ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Endosonography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; secondary ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Young Adult

Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; etiology ; Mediastinal Cyst ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Parathyroid Diseases ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

The aim of this study is to prepare self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of the mixture of paeonol (Pae) and borneol (Bor). Solubility test, ternary phase diagrams and simplex lattice method were employed to screen and optimize the formulation of the mixture of Pae and Bor-loaded SMEDDS. After formed into microemulsions, the particle diameter (PD) was determined and a TEM was employed to observe the microemulsions' morphology. The contents of Pae and Bor were determined by gas chromatography. As a result, while ethyl oleate (EO) as the oil phase, cremophor EL35 (EL35) as surfactant and Transcutol HP (HP) as cosurfactant, the range of the microemulsion on the ternary phase diagram was larger than other combinations. And at a ratio of 20:45:35, the microemulsions' PD was about 34 nm and the polydispersity index (PI) was about 0.2. There were 16% of Pae, 2% of Bor, 16% of EO, 37% of EL35 and 29% of HP in the prepared SMEDDS. The preparation process of the Pae and Bor-loaded SMEDDS based on Xingbi Fang is simple and feasible. This study provides a reference for the researches on the related traditional Chinese medicine and the related components.
Acetophenones ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Bornanes ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Bufonidae ; Cilia ; drug effects ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Emulsions ; Ethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Female ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; drug effects ; Oleic Acids ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Surface-Active Agents ; chemistry

Polymer self-healing is mainly based on the molecular structure and interaction of polymers, and some need external stimulation, such as light, heat, pH, etc. In recent years, many studies have found that the self-healing properties of polymers can prolong the life of materials, while maintaining the mechanical properties of polymers after healing. According to the different action modes of polymer materials, it can be divided into autonomous self-healing and non-autonomous self-healing. Among them, autonomous self-healing mainly works through reversible covalent bonds (Schiff base bond, Diels-Alder reaction, hydrazide bond), reversible non-covalent bonds (hydrogen bond, metal-ligand coordination bond, electrostatic interaction, π-π stacking interaction, hydrophobic interaction) and a combination of the two interactions. Drug carriers with unique self-healing properties play an important role in the encapsulation and stable release of biomacromolecules. In this review, the self-healing mechanism of polymers and their applications in the field of biomedicine were briefly summarized and discussed.