OBJECTIVETo prepare Sinomenine hydrochloride-loaded bovine serum albumin microspheres (SM-BSA-MS).

METHODSM-BSA-MS was prepared by spray drying technique. The morphology, drug-loading and release in vitro of SM-BSA-MS was studied.

RESULTThe diameters of SM-BSA-MS were in the range of 1-3 m. The drug loading of microspheres, formulated with different drug/albumin ratios as 1, 2, 1:1, 2:1, were 31.6%, 47.7% and 67.9% , respectively. And the drug entrapment efficiencies of different drug/albumin ratios were higher than 94%. The results of in vitro release experiments showed that the drug loaded microspheres have the properties of sustained-release compared with the Sinomenine hydrochloride injection. Different release characteristics could be obtained by adjusting the prescription composition and the thermal denaturation condition.

CONCLUSIONSpray drying technique is a simple and feasible method for preparing SM-BSA-MS. The drug loaded microspheres had high drug-loading and sustained-release effect.

Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Microspheres ; Morphinans ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; chemistry ; Sinomenium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of combining the injection of beta-sheet breaker H102 with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUCMSC) on APP transgenic mice behavior, P-tau, apoptosis and the expression of relevant enzymes in the brain.

METHODSAPP transgenic mice were randomly divided into model group, hUCMSC group, H102 group, H102 with hUCMSC group and a group of C57BL/6J mice with the same age and background was set as normal. After two weeks and four weeks, the ability of spatial reference memory was tested by Morris Water Maze. After four weeks, immunohistochemical stain and Western blot were done to detect the content of Bad, Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, P-tau, GSK-3beta, PP-2A and PP-1 in mice brain.

RESULTSThe ability of memory of hUCMSC in 2 weeks group was slightly improved than that in the model group. hUCMSC in four weeks group, H102 group and H102 with hUCMSC group significantly improved the ability of and memory, and reduced the phosphorylation of tau and brain cell's apoptosis of the Alzheimer disease (AD) mice.

CONCLUSIONBeta-sheet breaker H102 together with transplanting hUCMSC is an effective therapeutic strategy for AD.

Alzheimer Disease ; therapy ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor ; genetics ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Maze Learning ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Peptides ; therapeutic use ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

Human Interleukin-11(hIL-11)has no Cys residue in its natural form.By site-directed mutagenesis,a Cys residue can be introduced to replace the 1st residue Gly and the rhIL-11 was chemically modified by using 20 kDa mPEG-maleimide conjugated to this site.The mPEG-hIL-11 conjugate was purified and showed a single band on SDS-PAGE with an apparent molecular weight.The biological activity of purified mPEG-hIL-11 was determined using a dependent cell line 7TD1.The remaining biological activity of PEGylated-rhIL-11 was 30% of native rhIL-11,suggesting chemical modification of rhIL-11 by PEG is a promising approach for improving the pharmacological efficacy.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of O/W Microemulsion in enhancing solubility of baicalin and puerarin.

METHODThe Pseudo-ternary phase diagram was employed to selected the formulations of O/W microemulsion. The partical size of microemulsion, and solubility of baicalin and puerarin in water, oil phase, surfactant, microemulsion and alcohol were determined, respectively.

RESULT11 types of microemulsion formulations have the effect in enhancing the solubility of baicalin and puerarin; the solubility of Baicalin in microemulsion is higher as 5-15 times than it in water, the solubility of Puerarin in microemulsion is higher as 3 - 4 times than it in water.

CONCLUSIONMicroemulsion is good in enhancing solubility of effective compounds extracted from Chinese medical herbs.

Drug Compounding ; methods ; Emulsions ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; chemistry ; Isoflavones ; analysis ; chemistry ; Oils ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Solubility ; Surface-Active Agents ; chemistry ; Water ; chemistry

Penile amputation and successful replantation is very uncommon, and there is no routine standardized procedures for dealing with this medical condition. Here we report two cases of penile amputation and replantation involving different degrees of vascular insult leading to different pathogenesis, clinical presentation, surgical approach and prognosis. This report described the microsurgical procedure and postoperative care using bipedicled scrotal flap to achieve successful engraftment and function. A review of the published data and future methods to increase success of such surgical procedures is provided.
Adult ; Amputation, Traumatic ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Penis ; blood supply ; injuries ; surgery ; Replantation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical pathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of ovarian carcinosarcoma.

METHODSThe clinical, pathological and follow-up data of 12 cases of ovarian carcinosarcoma treated in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University from May, 2002 to May, 2009 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe 12 patients with ovarian carcinosarcoma had a median age of 55 years at diagnosis, among whom 10 were postmenopausal women. The patients sought medical attention for such symptoms as pelvic and/or abdominal pain, abdominal distention and ascites. Ten patients showed elevated serum CA125 level ad admission, and postoperative chemotherapy resulted in lowered CA125 level within normal range in 7 of them; in 8 cases, CA125 level increased with disease recurrence. Pelvic mass was found by such imaging examinations as CT, MRI and ultrasound in all cases. A definite diagnosis was obtained by postoperative pathological examination. All the patients received surgical resection and platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Two patients achieved disease-free survival after the treatment. Disease relapse occurred in 10 cases within 2 years after surgery, among whom 2 showed disease remission after a secondary surgery and/or chemotherapy, and 1 was receiving chemotherapy; death occurred in 5 cases, and 2 cases were lost to the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSOvarian carcinosarcoma has a poor prognosis. Primary surgery and platinum-based postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is the main treatment for ovarian carcinosarcoma. The prognosis of ovarian carcinosarcoma is associated with the residual disease after surgery. The patients with disease recurrence may obtain remission and survival through a secondary surgery and/or chemotherapy. Serum CA125 can be used as a marker for monitoring the chemotherapeutic effect in clinical observation and follow-up visits.

Aged ; CA-125 Antigen ; blood ; Carcinosarcoma ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

This study was purposed to culture murine compact bone-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and analyze the immunological and trilineage differentiation potential. Tibia and femur were extracted. Bone marrow cells were flushed out and compact bone fragments were digested with collagenase. The digested cells were cultured in 6-well plates. The immunophenotype, immunosuppressive function and trilineage differentiation potential were analysed by flow cytometry, mixed lympocyte reaction and Oil red O, von Kossa and alcian blue straining, respectively. The results indicated that the pure compact bone MSC could be isolated with in 3 weeks. The resulting MSC had trilineage differentiation potential and immunosuppressive effect on mixed lymphocyte reaction. The count per minute (CPM) value in control group of BALB/c T cells cocultured with irradiated C57BL/6 T cells was (2.56 ± 0.31) × 10(4), while CPM values of mixed lymphocyte cocultured with C57BL/6 compact bone MSC at ratios of 100:1 and 10:1 were (0.47 ± 0.12) × 10(4) and (0.28 ± 0.09) × 10(4). The CPM value of control group was higher than those of MSC cocultured group (P < 0.001). Compact bone-MSC had an immunosuppressive effect on mixed lymphocyte reaction in a dose dependent manner. It is concluded that murine compact bone has rich MSC and the primary MSC is contaminated with less hematopoietic cells. Murine compact bone-MSC have immunosuppressive effect on mixed lymphocyte reaction and trilineage differentiation potential. Compact bone-MSC have promising experimental study value.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Bone and Bones ; cytology ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Immunophenotyping ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVETo study the related risk factors of anemia of rural elderly women in Huangling county, Shanxi, northwest of China.

METHODSElderly women aged 50-75 years in Huangling (northwest of China) were selected as study objects. Finger hemoglobin (Hb) was measured and basic health survey was face-to-face questioned. Two-hundred anemia elderly women were entered into the case group; and by age-matching, 200 with normal Hb concentration were entered into the control group. Dietary survey, health and lifestyle questionnaire were undertaken, and related blood indexes were tested.

RESULTSIn case and control group, annual income was (446.1 +/- 107.9) vs (903.8 +/- 179.1) yuan (t = 3.06, P < 0.01), daily average physical active time was (9.6 +/- 3.2) vs (10.3 +/- 3.1) hours (t = 1.94, P < 0.05), proportion of experiencing food scarce period was 31.8% vs 22.6% (chi2 = 4.14, P < 0.05), waist circumference was (76.2 +/- 7.3) vs (79.5 +/- 8.9) cm (t = 4.08, P < 0.01), respectively; the total protein was (78.0 +/- 5.8) vs (81.9 +/- 6.0) g/L(t = 5.94, P < 0.01), serum iron was (13.9 +/- 5.7) vs (16.1 +/- 5.0) micromol/L (t = 4.19, P < 0.01), serum ferritin was (94.9 +/- 76.4) vs (116.6 +/- 85.2) microg/L (t = 2.58, P < 0.01), saturation of transferrin was 22.9% +/- 10.0% vs 25.6% +/- 8.7% (t = 3.16, P < 0.01), respectively. Multifactor conditioned logistic regression analysis showed that the odd ratio (OR) for anemia with annual income, whether experiencing food scarce period, daily average physical active time, staple food, soybean products, energy was 0.57, 4.74, 0.06, 0.59, 0.55, 0.65, respectively; their confidence interval (CI) was 0.45 - 0.71, 0.73 - 30.56, 0.01 - 0.52, 0.38 - 0.91, 0.34 - 0.87, 0.44 - 0.98, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe quality of diet, health status and related blood indexes in anemia elderly women were lower than those in control group; lower income, less active time, less staple food, soybean products and energy intake should be risk factors of anemia.

Aged ; Anemia ; epidemiology ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Diet Surveys ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nutritional Status ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitor ZD6474 (Vandetanib) on the proliferative inhibition of K562 cells and its derived imatinib-resistant K562/G cells and its mechanism.

METHODSImatinib-resistant K562/G cells were obtained by culturing cells in gradually increasing concentrations of imatinib. The changed factors related to drug-resistance were tested by Western blot. ZD6474 and imatinib affected K562/G and parental K562 cells proliferation were analyzed by WST assay. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle. Direct inhibition of Src activity by ZD6474 was measured by a colorimetric ELISA assay with recombinant human Src kinase.

RESULTS10 µmol/L imatinib failed to inhibit K562/G cells proliferation or induce cell cycle arrest. Compared with that in parental K562 cells, there were marked high levels of p-Src and Src protein in K562/G cells. The expression of Bcl-2 and p-STAT3 also increased in K562/G cells. After 48 hours incubation, the IC(50) values of ZD6474 in K562 and K562/G cells were 1.61 µmol/L and 3.18 µmol/L, respectively. ZD6474 treatment caused accumulation of cells in the G(0)/G(1) fraction and cell apoptosis in K562 and K562/G cells. ZD6474 decreased the expression of p-Src and Src at post-transcriptional level. Moreover, ZD6474 increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of p-STAT3 at the same concentration for inducing apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSZD6474 is effective in inhibiting the proliferation of imatinib-resistant K562/G cells and parental K562 cells, and induces their apoptasis by significant inhibition of Src kinase activity. Our study provides a reliable experimental basis for chronic myeloid leukemia treatment with ZD6474.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzamides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; K562 Cells ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the trabecular bone micro-structure from different sites of spine in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients. The target site consisted of the bilateral facet joints from apical vertebrae and from end vertebrae.

METHODSNine AIS patients with mean age 14.9 years (range 12-17 years) and mean Cobb angle 56 degrees (ranged 48 degrees-84 degrees) were recruited into this study. Corrective surgery was indicated to these patients, and facet joint biopsies were collected during decortications for spinal fusion. Biopsy consents were obtained from patients. Bone specimens were fixed with routine histology procedures and scanned by micro computer tomography (muCT40, Scanco Medical, Switzerland). Ten pairs of facet joint were harvested from apical vertebrae and 12 pairs from end vertebrae. Three-dimensional reconstructed images with the resolution of 20 microm were achieved for histomorphometric analysis.

RESULTSThe values of BV/TV (0.268 vs. 0.354, P < 0.05), TbTh (0.20 vs. 0.24, P < 0.05), TbSP (0.66 vs. 0.56, P < 0.05) and BS/BV (12.7 vs. 10.4, P < 0.05) between convex and concave side at the apex area were significantly different. No difference was found in any structural parameters between left and right side at end area, and upper thoracic (T5, 6) and thoracolumbar (T12, L1).

CONCLUSIONDue to asymmetric compression and tension shared between convex and concave side, more bone and thicker and more profound trabecular bones are observed in the concave side than in the convex side, which seems to resist the progression of spinal curvature. This finding suggests that the provocative factors which cause the progression of the curve in certain patients may not lie in the bone component of spine.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Scoliosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Zygapophyseal Joint ; pathology ; physiopathology