OBJECTIVE: To explore the development channel of on-line pharmacy in China. METHODS: The problems existing in the individual customers and the retail chain pharmaceutical enterprises were analyzed. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: The relation between the individual customers and the retail chain pharmaceutical enterprises should be coordinated when developing the on-line pharmacy. Only when the problmes such as the psychology and habbits of individual customers, and the running cost, drug safe distribution, network development and so on in the retail chain pharmaceutical enterprises have been solved can the on-line pharmacy smoothly developed.

AIM To prepare the andrographolide-loaded solid dispersions.METHODS Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) were used for the analysis of solid dispersions previously prepared from the mixture of andrographolide and PVPK30 (1 ∶ 9) in autoclave.In addition to the evaluation index of in vitro dissolution rate,the influencing factors of pressure,temperature and reaction time were taken into consideration for the preparation optimization by Box-Behnken method.RESULTS Andrographolide was totally dispersed in solid dispersions in an amorphous state,manifesting an inhibited crystal diffraction peaks' formulation.Under the optimal conditions of 21.26 MPa for pressure,40.76 ℃ for temperature,and 1.13 h for reaction time,the in vitro dissolution rate was 85.49％.CONCLUSION After andrographolide is made into solid dispersions,its in vitro dissolution rate is obviously increased.

The culture medium and cultural conditions of solid-state fermentation of Streptomyces Menmyco-93-63 were tested in this study. The suitable medium which contains rice, sorghum, millet bran, and rice hull with the proportion of 2:2:3:3 was developed for the spore production of Streptomyces Men-myco-93-63 using single substrate screening, mixture substrate screening and orthogonal experiments, and the sporulation was up to 2.52?109 CFU/g. And then, initial charge, initial ratio of water to solid, inoculating quantity, and culture temperature impact to sporulation of Streptomyces Men-myco-93-63 were tested. The favorite cultural conditions are developed as the following: the initial charge is 15 g in 500 mL Erlenmeyer flask; initial ratio of water to solid is 1.7:1.0 (V/W, rice hull excluding), inoculating quantity is 7 mL, culture temperature is 28℃.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of liver transplantation for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 68 patients with ICC who underwent hepatic resection or liver transplantation between January 2007 and September 2013.In the surgical treatment of ICC,overall survival and prognostic risk factors were analyzed to determine the clinical value of liver transplantation for ICC compared with hepatic resection.Results Of the patients with ICC,55 underwent hepatic resection and 13 were given liver transplantation.The 1 and 3-year survival rate was significantly higher in the liver transplantation group than in the hepatic resection group (76.9％ versus 52.7％,and 61.5％ versus 27.3％,P＜0.05).In addition,liver transplantation resulted in higher tumor recurrence-free survival rate than hepatic resection (69.2％ versus 41.8％,and 61.5％ versus 20.0％,P＜0.05).The multivariate analysis showed that tumor size larger than 5 cm was an independent risk factor and HBV infection was an independent protective factor of ICC.Conclusion The prognosis of patients who underwent liver transplantation was better than hepatic resection,suggesting that liver transplantation is perhaps a prior treatment in strictly selected and unresectable patients with ICC.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT-1 receptor) blocker on the progression of rat pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin A5.

METHODSTwenty-four male Wistar rats were randomized into pulmonary fibrosis model, perindopril treatment, losartan treatment and control groups. In the former 3 groups, pulmonary fibrosis was induced via intratracheal injection of bleomycin A5 (5 mg/kg), after which the rats in the perindopril and losartan groups received intragastric administration of the corresponding agents at the daily dose of 2 mg/kg and 10 m/kg, respectively. The rats in the control group had intratracheal injection of normal saline only. In the 4th week, the histological changes of the lung tissues were examined microscopically with Masson staining. Hydroxyproline content in the lungs was measured, and the protein expressions of AT-1 receptor, TGF-beta1 and IkappaBalpha were examined using Western blotting. DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB was analyzed with electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA), and zymography was used to assess the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 (MMP-2, 9).

RESULTSBoth perindopril and losartan treatment significantly reduced the pulmonary fibrosis score, content of hydroxyproline, protein expression of TGF-beta1, DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB and MMP-2, 9 activity, and increased cytoplasmic protein expression of IkappaBalpha. Perindopril treatment lowered the protein level of AT-1 receptor.

CONCLUSIONPerindopril and losartan may inhibit bleomycin A5-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats by reducing the protein expression of TGF-beta1 and suppressing the DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB and MMP-2, 9 activity.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; therapeutic use ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Bleomycin ; analogs & derivatives ; Blotting, Western ; Losartan ; therapeutic use ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Perindopril ; therapeutic use ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

ObjectiveAn increasing number of patients requiring ventricular assist devices (VAD) have had previous valvular corrections,including valve repair,and valve replacement with mechanical or bioprosthetic valves.The operative and peri-operative management of these patients has been varied.MethodsA retrospective study of VADs between Jan 1994 and June 2008 revealed 10 patients with previous prosthetic valves requiring management during and after VAD placement.Three patients were supported post-cardiotomy after valve surgery.Two patients were supported due to cardiogenic shock postopera-tively.Four patients were supported as a bridge to transplantation.One patient was supported as a destination therapy.ResultsThe mitral valve was left untreated during VAD implantation regardless of valve repair or replacement.For aortic valves,the mechanical aortic valve was replaced with tissue valve in two patients and left untreated in one case.One patient had tricuspid valve repair previously and was left untouched.All patients with prosthetic valves in aortic,mitral and tricuspid position during VAD support received anticoagulation therapy.There were 4 deaths,and 4 went on to transplantation.One patient weaned from VAD and discharge from hospital.One patient received HeartMate Ⅰ as destination therapy.The most common causes of death were multisystem organ failure and sepsis.One patient had a thromboembolic event.ConclusionThe survival rate of 60% is encouraging when compared to overall survival rates.The most common cause of death was multisystem organ failure.Patients with prosthetic valves may be safely managed during VAD support.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose rituximab therapy and sequential maintenance for patients with refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Methods Thirty-three patients with refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura received intravenous rituximab at the dose of 100 mg once a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Complete blood cell count and serum concentrations of immunoglobulin (IgG,IgM and IgA) were monitored regularly. The numbers of CD3+ and CD19+ CD20+ lymphocyte cells were assayed by flow cytometry before and after therapy. Twenty-five patients with responses(complete response and response) were divided into maintained group (12 patients) and control group (13 patients) by random digits table method. The patients in maintained group were treated with rituximab 100 mg every 6 months. The efficacy of maintenance therapy was evaluated through long-term follow-up. Results The complete response(CR) rate, response (R) rate and no response(NR) rate were 48.48%(16/33), 27.27%(9/33) and 24.24% (8/33), respectively. As a result, total effective rate was 75.76% (25/33). There were no significant changes of peripheral blood white blood cell count,hemoglobin,serum immunoglobulin and CD3+lymphocyte counts before and after treatment (P>0.05). However, CD19+ CD20+ cells were almost depleted in patients treated with rituximab: (3.71±2.64)×106/L vs. (279.33±92.78)×106/L, P<0.01. Five patients suffered from allergic response, and 1 patient developed pneumonia and respiratory failure. The relapse rates of maintained group and control group were 1/12 and 4/13, respectively. Conclusions Treatment with low-dose rituximab may be an effective and safe approach in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Relapse rates can be decreased through maintenance therapy with refractory low-dose rituximab. However, the optimal therapeutic schedule need further investigation.

According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Qi (vital energy) is regarded as a driving force of biological activities in human body, including both nutrient substances and organ functions. Qi-invigorating TCMs are widely used to treat various symptoms and disorders, such as fatigue, obesity, immunosuppression, intestinal flora imbalance, and gastrointestinal diseases, in which Qi is considered to be reduced or depleted. Interestingly, abundant clinical evidences suggest that these disorders are associated with the alternation of intestinal flora, which directly affects disease status. Herein we review the interaction between gut microbiota and Qi-invigorating TCMs under healthy and disease conditions and discuss the mechanisms of action and applications of Qi-invigorating TCMs in enhancing health status through microbial alternation. A better understanding of the role of Qi-invigorating TCMs in modulating microbial composition and the association between intestinal microbiota and diseases would help reveal the clinical consequences of microbiota alteration and explore opportunities to harness this symbiotic relationship to improve public health.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; drug effects ; Humans ; Prebiotics ; Qi

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic value of serum galactomannan antigen (GM) and (1→3)-β-D-glucan antigen (BG) assay in invasive fungal infections (IFI) in the patients with hematologic malignancies and the role in monitoring therapeutic response.

METHODSFifty one patients with hematological malignancies met the criteria for inclusion: (1) body temperature above 38°C for 48 hours, (2) failure to respond to broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment, or (3) temperature rose again after the responded drop. Blood samples were collected twice at the first week, then once a week in at least four weeks. The double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and colorimetric assay were used for detecting GM and BG. The positive GM test is defined as two consecutive tests at different time GM value > 0.5 or > 0.8 and the positive G test is defined as BG value > 80 pg/ml. The patients were assigned into four groups as proven, probable, possible, and non-fungal infection respectively, and 21 normal volunteers were as controls.

RESULTSTwo hundred and forty serum samples were collected from 51 patients including 2 of proven IFI, 26 probable IFI, 17 possible IFI and 6 non-fungal infection. The true-positive group including the proven and probable groups, and true negative group was the non-fungal infection group. GM tests were positive in 21 of 28 cases in true positive group, and only one of 6 cases in non-fungal infection. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 75%, 83.3%, 95.5% and 41.7%, respectively. G tests were positive in all 28 cases of the true positive group, and 4 in 6 non-fungal infection cases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 100%, 33.3%, 87.5% and 100%, respectively. G test is more sensitive than GM test (P = 0.015), but there was no significant difference in specificity of the two tests (P = 0.242). In 19 of 21 patients with GM test positive, anti-fungal treatment was effective, and GM value gradually decreased to negative, two invalid patients were persistent with GM test positive. After two weeks treatment, the average GM value was significantly lower in the effective group than in the ineffective group (P < 0.05). BG values in the responded patients showed a gradual decline similar to that of GM values, but not to negative. The changes of BG value in ineffective group varied with a trend upward. The changes in BG value had no relation with treatment effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONSSerum GM and BG antigens detection provides strong evidence for early diagnosis of IFI. Combination of GM and G tests can improve the diagnostic specificity and reduce the false positive GM test seems superior to G test for monitoring GM and BG values during treatment.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, Fungal ; blood ; immunology ; Female ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; immunology ; microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mannans ; immunology ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses ; blood ; immunology ; Young Adult ; beta-Glucans ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of the matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and membrane-type 1 metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) in lung of rats exposed to paraquat (PQ) and the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza monomer IH764-3 on above expression.

METHODSNinety adult healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the control group (group A, 6 rats), the exposure group (group B, 42 rats) and the group treated by Salvia miltiorrhiza monomer IH764-3 (group C, 42 rats). The group B and C were treated intragastrically with 1ml of PQ (50 mg/kg), and the group A was treated intragastrically with normal saline. The group C was treated intraperitoneally with 1 ml Salvia miltiorrhiza monomer IH764-3 at the dose of 40 mg/kg a day. The group A and B were treated intraperitoneally with 1 ml normal saline day. The expression of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP was detected on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th and 35th days after exposure for all groups.

RESULTSAs compared with the expression level (0.305 ± 0.045) of MMP-2 mRNA in group A, the expression levels of MMP-2 mRNA in Group B significantly increased, which were 0.654 ± 0.077, 0.623 ± 0.051, 0.637 ± 0.024, 0.533 ± 0.043 and 0.552 ± 0.050 on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st days after exposure, respectively (P < 0.01). As compared with group A, the the expression levels of MMP-2 mRNA on the 1st, 3rd, 7th days in Group C slightly increased, but the expression levels of MMP-2 mRNA on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st days in Group C were 0.523 ± 0.074, 0.567 ± 0.097, 0.514 ± 0.058, 0.359 ± 0.018 and 0.374 ± 0.020, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in group B (P < 0.01). As compared with the expression level (0.391 ± 0.058) of MT1-MMP mRNA in group A, the expression levels of MT1-MMP mRNA in Group B significantly increased, which were 0.796 ± 0.021, 0.762 ± 0.043, 0.590 ± 0.010, 0.803 ± 0.076 and 0.680 ± 0.034 on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st days after exposure, respectively (P < 0.01). As compared with group A, the expression levels of MT1-MMP mRNA in Group C significantly increased, which were 0.594 ± 0.010, 0.653 ± 0.044 and 0.564 ± 0.009 on the 1st, 3rd and 21st days after exposure, respectively (P < 0.01). The expression levels of MT1-MMP mRNA in Group C were significantly lower than those in group B (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe expression changes of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP genes of lungs in rats intragastrically exposed to PQ could result in the unbalance the synthesis and degradation of ECM, which may be a cause of lung fibrosis. The Salvia miltiorrhiza monomer IH764-3 could affect the expression of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP genes to a certain extent, resulting in the reduction of lung fibrosis.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Paraquat ; toxicity ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salvia miltiorrhiza