Good palatability of pediatric drugs improves the accuracy of dosing and adherence to dosing regimens. Many active pharmaceutical ingredients have an undesirable taste, so effective taste masking methods need to be developed to improve the palatability of pediatric medicines. This article mainly introduces the commonly taste masking techniques and taste evaluation methods, and puts forward suggestions on the concerns and general principles of the pharmaceutical evaluation of taste masking effects based on cases, in order to provide reference for the development of drug taste masking technology in children.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures has achieved very good results, but its long-term efficacy as well as impact on patients has been rarely reported so far.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term effect of vertebroplasty with bone cement on osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures through a follow-up.METHODS: Thirty-four patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures who had undergone percutaneous vertebroplasty were recruited. Visual analogue scale scoring was measured and compared as well as lesioned vertebral height and kyphosis angle shown on lateral X-ray examination prior to, 1 week and 6 years after percutaneous vertebroplasty.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The kyphosis angle was improved 1 week and 6 years after percutaneous vertebroplasty, and it changed insignificantly during the follow-up period. The vertebral height was also improved significantly after percutaneous vertebroplasty (P < 0.01); however, there was no obvious variation in the vertebral height at 1 week and 6 years after percutaneous vertebroplasty. The visual analogue scale exhibited an improvement after percutaneous vertebroplasty (P < 0.01); however, with time going by, the scoring on the visual analogue scale had an increased tend. All the parameters remained stable and had no large fluctuations. It is proved that the percutaneous vertebroplasty is effective and safe to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with an excellent long-term effect.

Objective To explore the effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), OSAS-like intermittent hypoxia (IH)on the expression levels of P-YAP and YAP in A549 lung cancer cell lines. Methods A549 cells were treated with IH exposure ( exposed to 5%O2 for 300 seconds and 21%O2 for 300 seconds) for 1, 3 and 6 h (IH1, IH3, IH6) or normoxia exposure (N group). Quantificational real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of YAP. Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression levels of YAP and P-YAP. Results The mRNA expression levels of YAP were significantly increased with the increase of IH exposure time points in IH1 (2.50±0.18), IH3 (4.07±0.25) and IH6 (9.18 ± 0.58) groups than those in N group (1.00 ± 0.01) (all P<0.05). The protein expression levels of YAP were significantly increased with the increase of IH exposure time points in IH1, IH3 and IH6 groups than those in N group. The protein expression levels of P-YAP were significantly decreased with the increase of IH exposure time points in IH 1, IH3 and IH6 groups than those in N group. Conclusion YAP cell signaling plays an important role in the process of OSAS-like IH induced tumor development.

Objective To explore the effects of different degrees of intermittent hypoxia (IH) on the activation and the secretion of extracellular matrix in MLg lung fibroblast cell line. Methods MLg lung fibroblast cells in logarithmic growth phase were exposed for 5%O2 for 100 seconds and 21%O2 for 120 seconds in 1 h, 4 h and 8 h groups (IH1, IH4 and IH8) and normoxia group (21%O2 for 8 h, N group). The cells in each group were collected at the end of experiment. Real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels ofα-SMA and typeⅠcollagen (COL1) A1, and Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression levels ofα-SMA and COL1. Results The mRNA and protein expression levels ofα-SMA and COL1 were significantly increased in IH1, IH4 and IH8 groups than those in N group (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, expression levels of α-SMA and COL1 showed a time-dependent increase with IH exposure time. Conclusion The intermittent hypoxia can promote the cell activation and the extracellular matrix secretion of mouse lung fibroblast cells, which may be related with the oxidative stress.

Objective:To compare two flexible embryo catheters and determine whether clinical out-come differs in the in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET)cycles.Methods:This prospective control study was conducted by one doctor between July 2012 and November 2013.In the study,2 064 patients undergoing fresh embryo transfer by using IVF-ET/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-ET in Reproductive Medical Center of Peking University Third Hospital were recruited.The subjects were di-vided into two groups.Cook Sydney IVF embryo transfer catheters (product model:K-JETS-7019-SIVF) were used for embryo transfer in group 1 (n =949),and FrydmanCCD catheters (product model:131230301)were used in group 2 (n =1 115).Pregnancy outcomes were compared between these two groups.Results:There was no significant difference in age,diagnosis for infertility and stimulation proto-col used between the two groups.In addition,there was no difference in the number of oocytes collected and in the number and score of embryos transferred.The significantly higher implantation rate,clinical pregnancy rate,and live birth rate (34.40% vs.26.92%,51.21% vs.41.52%,42.57% vs. 33.09%,P <0.05)were observed in group 1 compared with group 2.The abortion rate was not signifi-cantly different between the two groups (11.93% vs.15.98%,P >0.05).The proportion of difficult transfer was higher in group 1 than that in group 2 (5.27% vs.3.41%,P <0.05 ).There was no difference in the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate between the two difficult transfer cycles.Con-clusion:The type of embryo transfer catheter affects the clinical outcome in IVF.Good clinical outcome can be obtained by using Cook Sydney IVF catheter,which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To explore the effects of cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced hypoxia on migration of melanoma cells, and to detect the transcription, expression and secretion of Follistatin-like 1(FSTL1) in this process. Methods B16F10 melanoma cell line was treated with CoCl2 in order to mimic hypoxia. Experimental cells were divided into three groups: 0μmol/L, 50μmol/L and 100μmol/L CoCl2 treatment groups. MTT assay was used to assure cell viability, and to determine the treatment concentration of CoCl2. Transwell assay was used to determine the migration ability of B16F10 melanoma cell line. Real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of Fstl1. Western blot assay was used to detect the intracel?lular and extracellular protein expression of FSTL1. Results The cell viability of B16F10 melanoma cell line was signifi?cantly reduced by CoCl2 treatment, with a time and concentration-dependent manner. The migration ability of B16F10 cell line was significantly increased in CoCl2 treated group compared with that of control group (P<0.05). The mRNA level of Fstl1 was obviously higher in CoCl2 treated group than that of control group (P<0.05). The intracellular expression of FSTL1 protein was consistent with the expression trend of Fstl1 mRNA. Simultaneously, the extracellular protein level of FSTL1 was significantly decreased compared with that of control group. There was no expression of FSTL1 in 100μmol/L CoCl2 treat?ment group. Conclusion The migration ability of melanoma cell line is enhanced by CoCl2 treatment, which may be associ?ated with expression and secretion of FSTL1, however, the relevant mechanism still needs further investigation.

OBJECTIVETo compare the regulatory effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) at acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Hegu (LI4) on the visceral hyper-sensitivity in the rat model of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and to explore the acting targets and specialty of acupoints.

METHODSExcept 8 rats of the normal control group, the rest 32 rats were prepared to set up the IBS models. IBS animal model was prepared by enema with acetic acid. Model rats were divided into three groups. Except for rats in the model group for control, those in the other two groups were treated 20 min by EA on ST36 (EA-ST36) and LI4 (EA-LI4) respectively for 2 weeks to observe the effect on behavior response of viscera sensitivity. The changes of neuropeptide (NPY), the somatostatin (SS) levels in blood and tissues of brain and intestine were monitored as well.

RESULTSThe volume thresholds for abdomen uplifting and back hunching were obviously increased after EA-ST36 (P<0.05), but showed insignificant change after EA-LI4. NPY contents lowered and SS contents increased in model rats; both EA-ST36 and EA-LI4 could raise the level of thalamic NPY (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively), but showed insignificant effects on NPY in colonic tissue. As for SS content, its colonic level could be reduced by EA-S36 and EA-LI4 (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively), however, its blood level was affected only by EA-ST36 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEA-ST36 or EA-LI4 could regulate the NPY in thalamus and SS in colonic tissue, the former could affect blood level of SS as well. It is deemed that NPY and SS may be the key substances for regulating the action of acupuncture in the brain-intestinal axis; their different levels could be regarded as an indicator for the functional difference between the acupoints.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Neuropeptide Y ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Somatostatin ; metabolism ; Viscera ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the psychology of infertility patients from the perspective of economic sociology so as to prevent the patients from medical frauds in seeking medical treatment.

METHODWe investigated 902 infertility patients of the Third Hospital of Peking University from September 2005 to January 2006 using a randomized questionnaire.

RESULTSOf the total number, 84.4% had education below college level; the majority had a low monthly family income, 36.6% below Y1,000, 19.7% from Y1,000 to Y2,000, 16.5% from Y2,000 to Y3,000, 7.8% from Y3,000 to Y4,000 and 19.4% above Y4,000; 88.7% had a strong desire for a child; 60.3% were psychologically stressed. As for the advertisements for the treatment of infertility, 50.2% of the patients disbelieved them, 6.2% wanted to have a try and about 43.6% accepted them to be true. Regarding the treatment in individual hospitals, 55.2% disbelieved in it, 5.8% wanted to try it and about 39.0% believed in it.

CONCLUSIONInfertility patients of low economic status usually have a lower educational level but a higher desire for children, and therefore are more likely to be the victims of medical frauds and more psychologically stressed. It calls for our attention how to provide them with medical help.

Educational Status ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; economics ; psychology ; therapy ; Male ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To evaluate the protective effect of Yersinia pestis capsular antigen F1 and recombinant rV270 on mice after immunization with them.Methods According to body weight,40 female Balb/c mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into four experimental groups(Fl-10 μg + aluminum adjuvant,F1-20 μg + aluminum adjuvant,rV-10 μg + aluminum adjuvant,and rV-20 μg + aluminum adjuvant) and a control group,8 in each group.Mice in experimental groups were immunized with the natural antigen F1 and recombinant antigen rV270 adsorbed to 25％ aluminum adjuvant and the control group was immunized with the same amount of aluminum adjuvant.Each mouse was immunized at the hind leg muscle with 100 ml immunizing agent,then a booster immunization was done once on the 21st day after the first immunization.The blood of all mice was collected on the 8th week after the first immunization,serum antibody titers were detected by ELISA and the data of antibody titers were analyzed by t test for comparison between groups.At the same time the mice were injected subcutaneously with 2000-fold LD50 of Yersinia pestis virulent strain 141,after 14 days,the protective effect of immunization was analyzed.Results The control group did not produce antibody.Antibody geometric mean titers (GMT) of the F1-10 mg + aluminum adjuvant and F1-20 mg + aluminum adjuvant groups were 1 ∶ 30443.9,and 1 ∶21527.8,respectively,and compared between the two groups,the difference was not statistically significant (t =1.1282,P ＞ 0.05).The GMTs of the rV-10 μg + aluminum adjuvant and rV-20 μg + aluminum adjuvant groups were 1 ∶ 13957.3 and 1 ∶18100.9,respectively,and compared between the two groups,the difference was not statistically significant(t =0.9408,P ＞ 0.05 ).After subcutaneous injection with Yersinia pestis virulent strain 141,all mice died in the control group but all survived in the experimental group.Conclusion The immune activity of natural antigen F1 and recombinant rV270 is high,which can be used as the main component of subunit vaccine in the plague subunit vaccine study.

Objective To analyze the optimal threshold of Doppler ultrasonography(DUS)in the diagnosis of hepatic artery stenosis(HAS)after liver transplantation and propose the diagnostic criteria of CT angiography(CTA) or digital subtraction angiography(DSA)for patients with tardus parvus waveform(TPW)in combination with liver dysfunction. Methods Clinical data of 171 patients undergoing liver transplantation, postoperative conventional DUS, liver function test, CTA or DSA were collected. The optimal threshold of resistance index(RI)and systolic acceleration time (SAT)for the diagnosis of HAS were determined by multi-level likelihood ratio(MLR). Different diagnostic criteria were established and the diagnostic efficacy was statistical y compared. Positive TPW was defined as the diagnostic criterion with low confidence, positive TPW+liver dysfunction as the moderate confidences, and positive TPW+liver dysfunction or positive TPW+optimal threshold as the high confidence. Results MLR revealed that RI<0.4 and SAT>0.12 s were the optimal threshold for the diagnosis of HAS. The specificity of diagnostic criteria with moderate and high confidence was significantly higher compared with that of the low confidence(P<0.05). Moreover, the false-positive rate was significantly decreased(P<0.05). The sensitivity of diagnostic criterion with moderate confidence was significantly lower than those of low and high confidence(both P<0.05), whereas the sensitivity did not significantly differ between the diagnostic criteria with low and high confidence(P>0.05). Conclusions For patients with positive TPW detected by DUS after liver transplantation, the optimal threshold of diagnostic criteria combined with liver dysfunction contribute to appropriate clinical decision-making for clinicians.