Base on the Kawakita powder compression equation, a general theoretical model for predicting the compression characteristics of multi-components pharmaceutical powders with different mass ratios was developed. The uniaxial flat-face compression tests of powder lactose, starch and microcrystalline cellulose were carried out, separately. Therefore, the Kawakita equation parameters of the powder materials were obtained. The uniaxial flat-face compression tests of the powder mixtures of lactose, starch, microcrystalline cellulose and sodium stearyl fumarate with five mass ratios were conducted, through which, the correlation between mixture density and loading pressure and the Kawakita equation curves were obtained. Finally, the theoretical prediction values were compared with experimental results. The analysis showed that the errors in predicting mixture densities were less than 5.0% and the errors of Kawakita vertical coordinate were within 4.6%, which indicated that the theoretical model could be used to predict the direct compaction characteristics of multi-component pharmaceutical powders.
Cellulose ; chemistry ; Excipients ; chemistry ; Fumarates ; chemistry ; Lactose ; chemistry ; Models, Chemical ; Powders ; chemistry ; Pressure ; Starch ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical

Objective To study the feasibility of novelty detection model in assessing the subject novelty of medical literature and comparatively analyze the advantages and disadvantages of words-overlap algorithm and co-words-based inverse file frequency quantitative algorithm. Methods Two novelty detection models were established for the 8 research subjects in PubMed-covered literature. The feasibility of two novelty detection models in assessing the subject novelty of medical literature was assessed according to the subject novelty of literature analyzed by experts, ROC curves and AUC values. Results Words-overlap algorithm showed that the fluctuating amplitude of subject novelty was rather high, which can thus reflect the difference between the contents in literature on the data. ROC curves and AUC values-based analysis revealed a high accuracy of words-overlap algorithm for judging the novelty of literature while co-words-based inverse file frequency quantitative algorithm displayed a low accuracy for judging the novelty of literature. Conclusion The novelty of literature detected with the two novelty detection methods is moderately related. The mean novelty value detected with the two novelty detection methods is of statistical signifi-cance. However, the novelty of literature detected with words-overlap algorithm is higher than that detected with co-words-based inverse file frequency quantitative algorithm.

Objective To study the value of MR 3D FIESTA technology in spinal malformation. Materials and Methods 70 patients with spinal malformation and GE 1.5T superconducting MR machine got involved in. The scanning sequences included FSET2WI scanning at 2D axial position, coronal position and sagital positon, and FIESTA scanning at 3D coronal position and sagital position. Results FIESTA scanning could be used in the achievement of multi-slice and multi-angle coronal, sagital and axial images. Conclusion 3D MR FIESTA can be applied to rapid, multi-angle, multi-slice and continuous display of the spinal cord.

Heart transplantation is considered the best treatment modality for advanced heart disease.While old age has conventionally been considered a contraindication for heart transplantation due to the reported adverse effect of advanced age,however donor hearts' shortage continues to stimulate the discussion about the recipient's upper age limit.Our study was based on a retrospective analysis for the results of 52 (18％) patients aged 60 years and older undergoing heart transplantation between May 2008 and December 2015,and these patients were compared with 236 (82％) adult recipients who were younger than 60 years at the time of transplantation and during the same period.In older group,71％ were males with the mean age of 63.38+3.55 years,and in younger group,83.4％ were males with a mean age of43.72±11.41 years (P=0.27).Dilated cardiomyopathy was the most common indication for transplantation among patients in both groups (P=0.147).In older group,the 3-month survival rate was higher than that in younger group (P=0.587),however the 6-month survival rate showed no significant difference (P=0.225).Although the 1-year survival rate was higher in older group (P=0.56),yet the 3-year survival rate between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference (P=0.48).According to our experience among older heart transplant candidates who were 60 years and older,we believe that advanced age should not be an excluding criterion to cardiac transplantation.

The aim of this study was to fabricate biomatrix/polymer hybrid scaffolds using an electrospinning technique. Then tissue engineered heart valves were engineered by seeding mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) onto the scaffolds. The effects of the hybrid scaffolds on the proliferation of seed cells, formation of extracellular matrix and mechanical properties of tissue engineered heart valves were investigated. MSCs were obtained from rats. Porcine aortic heart valves were decellularized, coated with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) using an electrospinning technique, and reseeded and cultured over a time period of 14 days. In control group, the decellularized valve scaffolds were reseeded and cultured over an equivalent time period. Specimens of each group were examined histologically (hematoxylin-eosin [HE] staining, immunohistostaining, and scanning electron microscopy), biochemically (DNA and 4-hydroxyproline) and mechanically. The results showed that recellularization was comparable to the specimens of hybrid scaffolds and controls. The specimens of hybrid scaffolds and controls revealed comparable amounts of cell mass and 4-hydroxyproline (P>0.05). However, the specimens of hybrid scaffolds showed a significant increase in mechanical strength, compared to the controls (P<0.05). This study demonstrated the superiority of the hybrid scaffolds to increase the mechanical strength of tissue engineered heart valves. And compared to the decellularized valve scaffolds, the hybrid scaffolds showed similar effects on the proliferation of MSCs and formation of extracellular matrix. It was believed that the hybrid scaffolds could be used for the construction of tissue engineered heart valves.

OBJECTIVETo study the thin layer chromatographic (TLC) fingerprint of flavonoid constituents from Polygonatum odoratum, to set up the identification protocol of the herbal and provide scientific information for its quality control.

METHODThe ethanol extracts were separated on silica gel G precoated plate with a mixture of toluene-ethylacetate-formic acid (5:4:1) as the mobile phase. The spots were visualized with ammonia vapor, then were examined under ultraviolet light (365 nm). The plate was scanned at wavelengths of lambdaR = 500 nm, lambdaS = 280 nm.

RESULTA fingerprint of flavonoids of P. odoratum, with 10 specific fluorescent spots while examined under ultraviolet light, was set up.

CONCLUSIONThe method can be used for quality control of P. odoratum.

Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polygonatum ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDAn important purpose of orthodontic treatment is to gain the harmonic soft tissue profile. This article describes a novel way to build patient-specific models of facial soft tissues by transforming a standard finite element (FE) model into one that has two stages: a first transformation and a second transformation, so as to evaluate the facial soft tissue changes after orthodontic treatment for individual patients.

METHODSThe radial basis functions (RBFs) interpolation method was used to transform the standard FE model into a patient-specific one based on landmark points. A combined strategy for selecting landmark points was developed in this study: manually for the first transformation and automatically for the second transformation. Four typical patients were chosen to validate the effectiveness of this transformation method.

RESULTSThe results showed good similarity between the transformed FE models and the computed tomography (CT) models. The absolute values of average deviations were in the range of 0.375 - 0.700 mm at the lip-mouth region after the first transformation, and they decreased to a range of 0.116 - 0.286 mm after the second transformation.

CONCLUSIONSThe modeling results show that the second transformation resulted in enhanced accuracy compared to the first transformation. Because of these results, a third transformation is usually not necessary.

Computer Simulation ; Face ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical

Extending traditional reading popularization model, training reading habit and skill, building classic reading scene, integrating era elements into"classic", using new technology and new media were suggested in this paper for innovating the reading popularization model of classic works on traditional Chinese medicine based on the analysis of why it is difficult to popularize the reading popularization of classic works on traditional Chinese medi-cine.

A complete framework of acupuncture reinforcement-reduction manipulations in Neijing was outlined to reflect the features according to the train of thought from purpose, principle, judgement, manipulation and curative effect through the analysis on the records of acupuncture reinforcement-reduction manipulations in Neijing. The result of the research showed that the basic purpose of reinforcement-reduction manipulations was the regulation of qi, and the core connotation was the regulation of the mind in Neijing. The key points included reinforcing deficiency before reducing excess and reinforcement or reduction manipulated according to 25 types of constitutions, pulse changes and skin conditions based on the general principle of reinforcing deficiency and reducing excess. Neijing recorded 7 kinds of acupuncture reinforcement-reduction manipulations and influenced their development in later age, which put the attention to the changes and regulation of the spirit, mind and mindwill. The feeling of patient and changes of pulse and skin temperature were taken as the review criterion of curative effect.

Objective: To explore whether acupuncture can improve sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment and emotional disorders caused by sleep deprivation, and its association with the attenuation of oxidative stress injury in prefrontal cortex. Methods: Fifty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=10), a model group (n=14), a manual acupuncture (MA) group (n=14), and a sham-MA group (n=14). All the groups were established as sleep deprivation models via the modified multiple platform method, except for the control group. Rats in both the MA group and the sham-MA group received corresponding intervention, respectively. After modeling and intervention, the four groups received three behavioral tests, namely sleep monitoring, by comprehensive lab animal monitoring system (CLAMS), Morris water maze (MWM) test and open-field test (OFT), followed by oxygen free radical level test and Western blot (WB) detection for the expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2. Results: The MA group derived more sleep time within 24 h than either the model group or the sham-MA group (both P<0.05). On MWM orientation navigation test day 1, there were no significant differences in escape latency among the control, MA and sham-MA groups (P>0.05), and the escape latency was significantly shorter in these three groups than that in the model group (all P<0.05). On test day 4, the escape latency was markedly shorter in the MA group than that in either the model group or the sham-MA group (both P<0.05); meanwhile, the MA group showed significantly better performance compared with these two groups in space probe test (both P<0.05). In OFT, compared with the control group, there was a significant decline in the horizontal movement score in the other three groups (all P<0.05), and the decrease was more significant in the model group and the sham-MA group than that in the MA group (both P<0.05). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) content was markedly higher and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was markedly lower in the MA group than those in the model group and the sham-MA group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group and the sham-MA group, the expression of Bax was significantly lower and the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly higher in the MA group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: MA therapy can lengthen the sleep time in sleep-deprived rats and improve learning and memory impairments induced by sleep deprivation, and the underlying mechanism may be associated with the enhancement of antioxidant capacity in the prefrontal cortex and the inhibition of hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.