OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of crystallization inhibition by cellulose polymers against supersaturated drugs. METHODS: The biopharmaceutics classification system(BCS) II class drug indometacin was selected as the model drug.Supersaturated amorphous drug solid was prepared and the solubility of indometacin was measured. The types, added amounts, ionic intensity and viscosity of cellulose polymers were employed as influential factors to assess the crystallization inhibition effect of polymers against indometacin. RESULTS: HPMC E15 displayed the strongest crystallization inhibition effect. The crystallization inhibition was enhanced by adding larger amount of polymers, decreasing the viscosity of polymers and increasing the ionic intensity. CONCLUSION: The study is helpful to clarify the profiles that cellulose polymers inhibit the crystallization of drugs in supersaturated states. This research may provide scientific guide for the practical application of cellulose polymers for drug crystallization.

OBJECTIVE: To prepare curcumin solid dispersions by different preparation technologies and compare their properties. METHODS: Curcumin/poloxamer 407 solid dispersions were prepared by freeze-drying, co-precipitation and microwave/quench cooling methods, respectively. Internal properties of obtained solid dispersion were analyzed by SEM, DSC, XRD and FT-IR. The improvement effect on the insolubility of curcumin by making it into solid dispersions by different technologies was characterized by dissolution and solubility experiments. RESULTS: Curcumin was dispersed in solid dispersions in micro-crystal form. Compared with other technologies, microwave/quench cooling method could significantly improve the solubility and dissolution of insoluble curcumin. CONCLUSION: The study provides reference for choice of applicable production technology for solid dispersions of insoluble Chinese traditional medicine curcumin.

Converting two poorly water-soluble crystalline drugs to co-amorphous drug systems by ball milling, quench-cooling, or cryo-milling method can improve stability of the drug, enhance dissolution rates, and reduce adverse reactions of the single drug. Co-amorphous system has been used to solve problems of co-administration of medicines. Formation and intermolecular interactions of co-amorphous drug systems may be verified by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Raman spectroscopy (RS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Stability of co-amorphous drug systems is influenced by their glass transition temperature (Tg) and intermolecular interactions. The theoretical Tg values and the interaction parameter x are calculated by Gordon-Taylor equation and the Flory-Huggins equation, respectively. Thus, co-amorphous drug systems are analyzed theoretically at molecular level. Co-amorphous drug systems provide a new sight for the co-administration of medicines.
Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Cimetidine ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Compounding ; Drug Stability ; Glipizide ; chemistry ; Indomethacin ; chemistry ; Naproxen ; chemistry ; Ranitidine ; chemistry ; Simvastatin ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Temperature ; X-Ray Diffraction

Microwaves can be directly transformed into heat inside materials because of their ability of penetrating into any substance. The degree that materials are heated depends on their dielectric properties. Materials with high dielectric loss are more easily to reach a resonant state by microwaves field, then microwaves can be absorbed efficiently. Microwave irradiation technique with the unique heating mechanisms could induce drug-polymer interaction and change the properties of dissolution. Many benefits such as improving product quality, increasing energy efficiency and reducing times can be obtained by microwaves. This paper summarized characteristics of the microwave irradiation technique, new preparation techniques and formulation process in pharmaceutical industry by microwave irradiation technology. The microwave technology provides a new clue for heating and drying in the field of pharmaceutics.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drug Discovery ; instrumentation ; methods ; Microwaves ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective:To research the best processing method for Bupleurum chinense DC.by orthogonal tests.Methods:With the contents of saikosaponin a and saikosaponin d as the indices,the L9(34) orthogonal table was used to study three factors including the amount of wheat bran,pot temperature before heating and processing time.The orthogonal design was applied to study the processing technology of Bupleurum chinense DC.fried with wheat bran.Results:The best processing method was as follows:100 g Bupleurum chinense DC.was mixed with 10 g wheat bran and fried at 290 ℃ for 80 seconds.Conclusion:The optimized processing technology is reasonable,reliable and highly reproducible,which provide reference for the processing of Bupleurum chinense DC.with wheat bran.

Adolescent ; Brain Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; metabolism ; Neurilemmoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEConsidering the difficulty in classifying some cases with eye trauma by Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology (BETT) in our epidemiological study, we introduce a new classification for epidemiological study of mechanical eye injuries based on BETT.

METHODSA retrospective investigation was carried out in 31 hospitals from January 2005 to December 2010. All medical records of inpatients with eye injuries were reviewed. A total of 10 718 patients (11 227 eyes) were diagnosed as mechanical eye injuries. All mechanical eye injuries were tried to be classified using BETT. While some eye injuries were difficult to categorize. We recorded the injury type and case number. A new classification based on BETT was also used for the same project.

RESULTSOf 10 718 patients (11 227 eyes) with mechanical eye injuries, the following cases cannot be classified by BETT: 1 488 patients (1 559 eyes) with merely orbital or ocular adnexa injury, 1 961 (2 054) globe injuries associated with orbital or ocular adnexa injury, 271 (284) ocular surface foreign body (OSFB) or ocular wall foreign body (OWFB), 77 (89) contusion, 9 (11) lamellar laceration associated with OSFB or OWFB, 29 (30) rupture associated with OSFB, OWFB or intraocular foreign body and 60 (62) lace- ration associated with OSFB or OWFB. While according to our new classification, all eye injuries can be categorized without any difficulty.

CONCLUSIONDifficulty in classifying some eye injuries in epidemiological study by BETT brings some trouble to our study, which can be solved by our new eye injury classification to some extent. It is hoped that other ophthalmologists present better ones to make the classification more perfect.

Adolescent ; Eye Injuries ; classification ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of using small interfering RNA targeting TF as a therapy for vein graft failure.

METHODSExternal jugular vein to carotid artery interposition vein grafts, which were applied to a low flow condition, were made in 120 Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 260 to 300 g. These rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, 30 rats each group. Group A was atelocollagen-TF Stealth Select RNAi group. Group B was atelocollagen-TF Stealth RNAi group. Group C was atelocollagen group. Group D was control group. Small interfering RNA mixed with atelocollagen was administrated to the external wall of grafted veins. The TF protein expression of vein grafts was analyzed by Western blot at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 d postoperatively, and by immunochemistry at 3 d postoperatively. The proliferation index was determined at 14 d postoperatively. Neointimal hyperplasia was evaluated at 28 d postoperatively. BLOCK-iT fluorescent oligo was used to confirm its stability and successful transfer into the vein graft wall at 3 and 7 d postoperatively for another group (n=12).

RESULTSFluorescence of BLOCK-iT fluorescent oligo could be detected in the graft wall even at 7 d postoperatively. Knockdown of the TF expression was achieved by perivascular application of siRNA using atelocollagen. Compared with control group, the intima thickness at 28 d after grafting was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). This phenomenon was preceded by significant reduction of cell proliferation in siRNA-treated grafts at 14 d postoperatively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of TF in vein grafts can be effectively inhibited by specific siRNAs using a atelocollagen-based nonviral delivery approach in vivo, so that the neointimal thickening can be prevented. Transplants;

Animals ; Collagen ; pharmacology ; Drug Carriers ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hyperplasia ; prevention & control ; Jugular Veins ; pathology ; transplantation ; Male ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thromboplastin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tunica Intima ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience of combined off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) and pulmonary resection.

METHODSSeven patients with unstable angina or a history of myocardial infarction and pulmonary disease underwent combined OPCAB and pulmonary resection. All of them underwent coronary angiography, and neither coronary angioplasty nor stenting was feasible. OPCAB preceded the lung resections. The preferred approach to the heart and lung was by sternotomy. Left upper lobectomy was performed in 2 patients, right upper lobectomy was performed in 1 patient, right lower lobectomy was performed in 1 patient, right upper and middle bilobectomy was performed in 1 patient, left lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) was performed in 1 patient and bilateral LVRS was performed in 1 patient.

RESULTSThere were no hospital mortality in this group of patients, however there were one late death. Sternal dehiscence occurred in 1 patient which was observed with a need for re-sternotomy and atrial fibrillation was observed in 1 patient. Five patients were diagnosed as malignant tumor by pathology test, and 2 patients were severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Follow-up ranging from 2 months to 31 months was available for these patients. None of the patients showed evidence of myocardial ischemia after surgery. In one patient, who underwent right upper and middle bilobectomy, local recurrence was found at 19 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONSOPCAB carried out simultaneously with lung resection is a safe and effective approach in patients diagnosed with concomitant coronary artery and pulmonary disease. OPCAB may decrease the incidence of postoperative complications.

Aged ; Angina, Unstable ; complications ; surgery ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; complications ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the mechanical properties of decellularized porcine aortic valve, and to explore the effects of precoating methods of biological scaffold on histocompatibility.

METHODSFresh porcine aortic valves were decellularized using trypsin, TritonX-100 and nuclease. Treated valves were evaluated by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical test. Three groups of scaffold were precoated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), poly-L-lysine (PLL) and fetal bovine serum (FBS) respectively. Myofibroblasts were seeded onto each scaffold. Light and electron microscopic observation was performed and MTT test was used to examine efficiency of cell attachment.

RESULTSHE stain and SEM showed that cells were almost absent in the treated leaflet. The wave-like collagen together with the whole three-dimensional structure was maintained. Compared with normal valves, the Max-load, Max-stress and elastic modulus decreased while the Max-strain increased (P<0.05). The result of MTT test showed more cells were attached on the valves treated with FBS compared to the other two groups. Histological investigations also confirm that the high degree of cell attachment on the valves precoated with FBS (F=129.26, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONSEnzyme combined with detergent and nucleases can remove cells from porcine aortic valves. Meanwhile the mechanical properties of these valves may be altered. Precoating porcine aortic valve with FBS is an effective method to improve cell attachment, growth and increasing.

Animals ; Aortic Valve ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bioprosthesis ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Rats ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry