Animals ; Antibody-Producing Cells ; drug effects ; Female ; Immunity ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Phenols ; toxicity ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects

To ensure the stability of chemistry components and the convenience of operation, ultrasound method was chosen to study in this investigation. As the total common peaks area in chromatograms was set to be evaluation index, the influence on the technology caused by extraction time, ethanol concentration and liquid-to-solid ratio was studied by using single factor methodology, and the extraction technology of Paeoniae Radix Alba was optimized by using response surface methodology. The results showed that the extracting results were most affected by ethanol concentration; liquid-to-solid ratio came the second and extraction time thirdly. The optimum ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions were as follow: the ultrasonic extraction time was 20.06 min, the ethanol concentration in solvent was 72.04%, and the liquid-to-solid ratio was 53.38 mL · g(-1), the predicted value of total common peaks area was 2.1608 x 10(8). Under the extraction conditions after optimization, the total common peaks area was 2.1422 x 10(8), and the relative deviation between the measured and predicted value was 0.86%, so the optimized extraction technology for Paeoniae Radix Alba is suitable and feasible. Besides, for the purpose of extracting more sufficiently and completely, the optimized extraction technology had more advantages than the extraction method recorded in the monogragh of Paeoniae Radix Alba in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, which will come true the assessment and utilization comprehensively.
Paeonia ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVEAn UPLC method was developed to evaluate the quality of Paeoniae Radix by simultaneously determining four components, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol in Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces.

METHODThe UPLC chromatographic column was ACQUITY UPLC® HSS T3. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid water with gradient elution. The column temperature was 30 °C and detection wavelength was 230 nm with a flow rate of 0.4 mL · min(-1). A linear model was obtained through principal component analysis (PCA), and PCA scores were used to evaluate the quality of Radix Paeoniae Alba decoction pieces comprehensively.

RESULTPaeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol could be well separated from other components, and the results of specificity, precision, repeatability, linearity, recovery rate and stability reached the standards, respectively. The content of paeoniflorin in 9 batches of Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces was below the standard given by Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition). Using the comprehensive scoring method with principal component analysis, the results showed that the samples from Zhejiang province have better quality than those from Anhui and Shandong provinces.

CONCLUSIONThe method established in this study can effectively determine the content of paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol, which could be used for quality control of Paeoniae Radix Alba.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Principal Component Analysis

After studying the discipline of chemical components distribution in peony root, it was found that the content distribution of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol was inhomogeneous in different parts of peony root, as same as in different roots belonging to a same plant. Therefore, in order to minimize the effects of different qualities of materials on experimental result, the content changing percentages of four chemical components was chosen as indicators to study processing method of Paeoniae Radix Alba. The processing technique of Paeoniae Radix Alba was put peony roots in the boiled water for at most ten minutes, and cut them into 2-3 mm slices after peeling the root bark, finally dry them in a oven under 55 degrees C, which was similar to the traditional processing method used in Bozhou. And the peeling, boiling and drying methods would affect the contents of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol on several levels.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction on Fas/FasL in salivary glands of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome and their mRNA expression.

METHODThirty-two NOD mice were randomly divided into the model group, the traditional Chinese medicine group (TCM group, orally given 0.4 mL nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction as per 100 g x kg(-1) everyday), the hydroxychloroquine group (given 0.4 mL hydroxychloroquine as per 60 mg x kg(-1) everyday), the traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group (TCM WM group, given nourishing Yin, Strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction 50 g x kg(-1) and hydroxychloroquine 60 mg x kg(-1), 0.4 mL everyday), with eight mice in each group. Eight Balb/C mice were selected as the normal control group (normal group). All of mice were killed after eight weeks, and their submaxillary glands were dissected. The expression levels of Fas/FasL were examined by immunohistochemical method, and the FasL mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTThe expression levels of Fas/FasL in salivary glands of the model group were higher than that of other groups (P < 0.05). The expression level of FasL of the normal group was much lower than that in the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05). The relative expression level of Fas mRNA in salivary glands of the model group was higher than that in other groups, but the control group was notably lower than other groups (P < 0.05). The expression level of FasL mRNA in salivary glands of the model group was higher than that in TCM and TCM WM groups (P < 0.05). But the expression level in TCM WM group was notably lower than the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction could down-regulate the expression level of Fas/FasL in salivary glands of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome and their mRNA expression, and had a better efficacy after being combined with hydroxychloroquine. The nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction might treat the Sjogren's Syndrome by reducing apoptosis which is regulated by Fas/FasL

Animals ; Fas Ligand Protein ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Qi ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Salivary Glands ; metabolism ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; blood ; genetics ; therapy ; Yin-Yang ; fas Receptor ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the short-term clinical outcome of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty for the treatment of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee.

METHODSFrom September 2013 to April 2014,5 patients with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, included 3 males and 2 females, aged from 65 to 80 years old with an average of 74 years. The courses of disease was from 1 to 6 years with the mean of 3 years. According to the radiographic staging criteria of Koshino, 1 case was stage II, 2 cases were stage III, 2 cases were stage IV. Clinical effects were assessed by VAS score, HSS score, and knee range of motion, tibiofemoral angle before and after operation.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 6 to 7 months with an average of 6.4 months. All incisions obtained primary healing, and there were no complications such as infection, thrombosis, fracture of lower limbs. All 5 patients' pain relieved and their knee function improved significantly after operation, but knee range of motion had no obviously improved. Postoperative HSS scores, VAS scores, tibiofemoral angle were significantly improved than that of preoperative.

CONCLUSIONThe short-term effect of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in treating spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee is satisfactory.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Osteonecrosis ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Range of Motion, Articular

This paper proposes a one-way micro valve with a simple structure and a simulation design for the engineering capsule. We have now got its design parameter selection method and its mechanic characteristic from experiments.
Capsules ; Computer Simulation ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Infusion Pumps, Implantable ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; instrumentation ; methods

Data mining technology has become a powerful tool in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research. In this paper, based on the principle and basic requirements of data mining, the mining methods and procedures were described. And then the application of data mining technology in Chinese medicine pair research was classified and summarized, such as the compatibility characters, characteristic pairs, dosage-effect relationship and property compatibility, which provide the direction and data base for modern research of Chinese medicine pair.
Cluster Analysis ; Data Mining ; methods ; Drug Interactions ; Drug Prescriptions ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

Robust and efficient control of therapeutic gene expression is needed for timing and dosing of gene therapy drugs in clinical applications. Ribozyme riboswitch provides a promising building block for ligand-controlled gene-regulatory system, based on its property that exhibits tunable gene regulation, design modularity, and target specificity. Ribozyme riboswitch can be used in various gene delivery vectors. In recent years, there have been breakthroughs in extending ribozyme riboswitch's application from gene-expression control to cellular function and fate control. High throughput screening platforms were established, that allow not only rapid optimization of ribozyme riboswitch in a microbial host, but also straightforward transfer of selected devices exhibiting desired activities to mammalian cell lines in a predictable manner. Mathematical models were employed successfully to explore the performance of ribozyme riboswitch quantitively and its rational design predictably. However, to progress toward gene therapy relevant applications, both precision rational design of regulatory circuits and the biocompatibility of regulatory ligand are still of crucial importance.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Ligands ; Models, Theoretical ; RNA, Catalytic ; genetics ; Riboswitch ; genetics

Background Excimer laser corneal refractive surgery is widely used because it reduces the dependency of refractive error eye to glasses.However,the adverse effects of anti-inflammatory drugs is a problem after operation.Lotemax eyedrops is a kind of steroidal anti-inflammatory drug,with a good effect on the operative eye.But its influence on intraocular pressure(IOP) after long-term topical administration is less studied.Objective This study was to investigate the influence of lotemax eyedrops on IOP after long-term topical administration in myopic eyes received excimer laser corneal refractive surgery.Methods An one-month retrospective case serial study was adopted.The case history data of 1552 eyes from 1552 Patients who received excimer laser corneal refractive surgery were collected in Tangshan Eye Hospital from 2011 January to 2012 January,including 321 eyes with laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK),608 eyes with sub-Bowman keratomileusis (SBK) and 623 eyes with femtosecond laser for flap excimer laser in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK).Lotemax eyedrops was topically administered after operation 4 times per day initial and then decreased 1 time weekly for 1 month.IOP was measured in before,1 week,2 weeks,3 weeks,4 weeks after operation with non-contact tonometer.The increasing range of IOP was divided into ＜5 mmHg,5-15 mmHg and ＞ 15 mmHg after operation.Optical head parameters were measured by Heidelberg retina tomography when IOP increasing after operation.Results Within 1 month,elevated IOP was found in 47 of 1552 eyes after administration of lotemax eyedrops,including 3.12％ (10/321) in the LASIK group,3.29％ (20/608) in the SBK group and 2.73％ (17/623) in the FS-LASIK group,without significant difference among them(x2 =1.95,P＞0.05).The IOP elevated 1 week after operation and remained normal after that till drug withdrawal in all eyes.There were no significant differences in the disk area (1.65 ±0.44) mm2 vs.(1.66 ±0.44) mm2,disk volume (0.40 ±0.09)mm3 vs.(0.39±0.08) mm3 and mean nerve fiber layer thickness (0.28 ± 0.08) mm vs.(0.29 ± 0.07) mm in IOP elevation duration compared with 1 month after IOP recovery(t =0.34,0.81,0.48,P＞0.05).Conclusions Topical administration of 0.5％ lotemax eyedrops after excimer laser corneal refractive surgery leads to reversible high IOP.It is very important to monitor the IOP during use of the drug.