Amniotic Fluid ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Vitamin K Deficiency ; complications

The marine biological source of mineral drugs recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 version) mainly including pearl, nacre, clam shell, common oyster shell, ark shell, cuttle bone, and sea-ear shell are widely used in clinical. Calcium carbonate and a small amount of protein are the main components in this type of drugs. In this paper, a systematical and comparable study were carried out by determination of calcium carbonate by EDTA titration method, the crystal of calcium carbonate by X-Ray powder diffraction and the total amino acids (TAAs) of the hydrolyzed samples by ultraviolet spectrophotometry method. As a result, the crystal structure is calcite for common oyster shell, mixture of calcite and aragonite for nacre and sea-ear shell, aragonite for the other drugs. The content of calcium carbonate ranged from 86% to 96%. Cuttle bone has the highest amount of TAAs among the seven drugs which reached 1.7% while clam shell has the lowest content of 0.16% on average. In conclusion, an effective method was developed for the quality control of marine mineral drugs by comprehensive analysis of calcium carbonate and TAAs in the seven marine mineral drugs.
Amino Acids ; analysis ; chemistry ; Animal Shells ; chemistry ; Animals ; Calcium Carbonate ; analysis ; chemistry ; Crystallization ; Edetic Acid ; chemistry ; Mollusca ; chemistry ; classification ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; analysis ; chemistry ; standards ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Seawater ; Species Specificity ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; X-Ray Diffraction

BACKGROUND:Foreign studies have found that the magnesium alloy stent is safe and effective, but there are few studies on the degradation performance of magnesium alloy stents in China.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the degradation of degradable AZ31 magnesium alloy stent in the rabbit abdominal aorta and the effect of degradation process on vascularization.METHODS:Twenty-eight rabbits were enrolled, and the degradable AZ31 magnesium alloy stent was implanted into the rabbit abdominal aorta. Postoperative abdominal aortic X-ray examination and histological observation were done at 30, 60, 90, 120 days after implantation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) X-ray examination: 30 days after implantation, the stent expanded completely with structural integrity; 60 days after implantation, the stent deformation, partial stent fracture, and lose of support were found; 90 days after implantation, only a small amount of support rod residues were found, and the majority of the stent was degraded; and 120 days after implantation, there was no support rod residual, and the stent was degraded completely. (2) Histological observation: 60 days after implantation, the number of residual support rods was less than that 30 days after implantation (P< 0.05), the number value at 90 days after implantation was lower than that at 30 and 60 days after implantation (P< 0.05), and the number value at 120 days after implantation was lower than that at 30, 60, 90 days after implantation (P < 0.05), indicating that the number of residual support rods was negatively correlated with post-implantation days. The time for complete stent degradation was 124.8 days. The intimal area at 90 days after implantation was higher than that at 30, 60, 120 days after implantation (P < 0.05), while the lumen area was smaler than that at 30, 60, 120 days after implantation (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the intimal area and lumen area at latter three time points after implantation. To conclude, the degradation of the degradable AZ31 magnesium alloy stent in the rabbit abdominal aorta can be completed within 124.8 days, and at 90 days after the stent is implanted, vascular intimal hyperplasia and lumen stenosis are most serious, and then gradualy reduced.

AIMTo explore the possible effect of the deleted in azoospermia (DAZ) copy cluster deletion on spermatogenesis in the Chinese population, the deletion of the azoospermia factor c (AZFc) region was analyzed in 346 normozoospermic men.

METHODSThree DAZ single nucleotide variant loci and seven AZFc-specific sequence-tagged sites were examined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism and routine PCR.

RESULTSFive (1.4%) of the normozoospermic men were found to have deletion of gr/gr-DAZ1/DAZ2. None of the men were found to have b2/b4-entire DAZ deletion.

CONCLUSIONThe presence of gr/gr-DAZ1/DAZ2 deletion in five men with normozoospermia suggests that this deletion per se may not be sufficient for spermatogenic impairment in Chinese men.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Recombination, Genetic ; genetics ; Sequence Tagged Sites ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics

Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of an 8% arginine-CaCO3 containing desensitizing polishing paste on bonding strength of two self-etching adhesives to dentin.

METHODSThirty-six intact human premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons were collected within 1 month after extraction and randomly assigned into three groups using a table of random numbers (n = 12): specimens without any treatment served as control. In the polishing powder group specimens were polished with a slurry of pumice, and in the desensitizing polishing paste group dentin surfaces of the sample teeth were treated with 8% arginine-CaCO3 containing desensitizing polishing paste. Then each group was divided into two sub-groups using a table of random numbers in order to evaluate the bonding strength of two self-etching adhesive agents (G-Bond, GC; Fl-Bond II, Shofu). Microtensile bond strength test was conducted immediately and after 5000 thermocycling (n = 15). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to evaluate the occluding effect of the desensitizing polishing paste.

RESULTSIn the pre-thermocycling stage, there were no significant differences in Fl-Bond II bonding strength among the three groups [control: (30.34 ± 5.42) MPa, polishing powder group: (29.72 ± 5.16) MPa, desensitizing polishing paste group: (31.53 ± 4.86) MPa] (P > 0.05). However there were significant differences among the three groups in G-Bond bonding strength [control: (38.19 ± 4.42) MPa, polishing powder group: (36.47 ± 4.72) MPa, desensitizing polishing paste group: (46.88 ± 7.83) MPa] (P < 0.05). After thermocycling process, there were no significant differences in bonding strength among the three groups in both G-Bond groups and Fl-Bond II groups. SEM observation showed that the desensitizing polishing paste could occlude open dentinal tubules effectively, and the application of self-etching adhesives could re-open the dentinal tubular orifices. An even layer can be seen on the dentin surface treated with self-etching adhesive containing functional monomers.

CONCLUSIONSThe 8% arginine-CaCO3 containing desensitizing polishing paste could effectively occlude dentinal tubules, thus may have potential benefits in preventing post-operative sensitivity. Additionally, it had no adverse effect on bonding strength of self-etching adhesives to dentin.

Acid Etching, Dental ; Dentin Desensitizing Agents ; Dentin-Bonding Agents ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Random Allocation ; Tensile Strength

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of Danlong Oral Liquid (DOL) combined Western medicine (WM) in treating mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset.

METHODSTotally 480 mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset were randomly assigned to two groups in the ratio 3:1, the treatment group (360 cases) and the control group (120 cases). All patients received basic WM treatment. Patients in the treatment group took DOL, 10 mL each time, 3 times per day for 7 days in total, while those in the control group took Kechuanning Oral Liquid (KOL) , 10 mL each time, 3 times per day for 7 days in total. Efficacy for asthma symptoms, lung functions and scores of TCM syndrome and/or main symptoms were evaluated.

RESULTSThe percentage of clinical control and significant effectiveness of asthma symptoms in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (77.36% vs 56.07%, P < 0.01). The percentage of clinical control and significant effectiveness of lung functions in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (74.28% vs 50.00%, P < 0.01). The anterior-posterior difference in scores of TCM syndrome was significantly superior in the treatment group than in the control group (-11.26 ± 4.70 vs -9.21 ± 5.09, P < 0.01). The anterior-posterior difference in scores of main symptoms was significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group (-6.58 ± 3.08 vs -5.16 ± 3.45, P < 0.01). The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group [1.73% (6/346 cases) vs 10.17% (12/118 cases) , P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONDOL combined WM was superior to KOL in treating mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset.

Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Biomedical Research ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Lung ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Respiratory Sounds ; Syndrome

BACKGROUNDMotor dysfunction is common in stroke patients. Clinical electrophysiological studies suggest that transsynaptic degeneration occurred in the lower motor neurons, while pathological evidence is lacked. This study aimed to combine the electrophysiological and pathological results to prove the existence of transsynaptic degeneration in the motor system after stroke.

METHODSModified neurologic severity score, electrophysiological, and pathological assessments were evaluated in rats before middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and at 24 hours, 7 days, and 14 days after MCAO. Paired and independent-sample t-tests were applied to assess the changes of electrophysiological and pathological data.

RESULTSCompound motor action potential amplitude in the paretic side was significantly lower than the nonparetic side at both 24 hours (61.9 ± 10.4 vs. 66.6 ± 8.9, P < 0.05) and 7 days (60.9 ± 8.4 vs. 67.3 ± 9.6, P < 0.05) after MCAO. Motor unit number estimation of the paretic side was significantly less than the nonparetic side (379.0 ± 84.6 vs. 445.0 ± 89.5, P < 0.05) at 7 days after MCAO. Until 14 days after stroke, the pathological loss of motor neurons was detected. Motor neurons in 14-day MCAO group were significantly decreased, compared with control group (5.3 ± 0.7 vs. 7.3 ± 1.8, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth electrophysiological and pathological studies showed transsynaptic degeneration after stroke. This study identified the asynchronization in changes of electrophysiology and pathology. The abnormal physiological changes and function impairment can be detected in the early stage and recovered quickly, while the pathological loss of motor neuron can be detected only in a later stage.

Animals ; Electrophysiology ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Motor Neurons ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; pathology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the micropermeability on bonding hydrophobic adhesive to dentin with ethanol-wet bonding under simulated pulp pressure.

METHODSTwenty-four intact human third molars were used in the study. After the enamel of occlusal surfaces was removed, the molars were randomly divided into six groups. Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose was used in the control group; in the experimental groups, the dentin surfaces were saturated with ethanol for 20 s (group 1), 1 min (group 2), 2 min (group 3), 3 min (group 4) or with a series of increasing ethanol concentrations before application of hydrophobic adhesive (group 5). All the bonding procedures were done under simulated pulp pressure. After 24 hours, micro-tensile bond strength test were performed on the specimens. Bonding interfaces were observed under laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) after the pulp chamber were filled with a water-soluble fluoroprobe rhodamine B for 3 hours.

RESULTSCompared with the control group [(38.14 ± 4.97) MPa], bond strengths in group 1 [(21.02 ± 7.23) MPa] and group 2 [(29.64 ± 3.81) MPa] were statistically lower (P > 0.05), while bond strength in group 3 [(38.40 ± 5.03) MPa], group 4 [(37.26 ± 4.68) MPa] and group 5 [(40.12 ± 5.95) MPa] were similar to the control group (P < 0.05). The images taken by LSCM showed that with extension of ethanol-wet time, the deposition of fluorescent dye in hybrid layer and along the dentinal tubules decreased gradually. Especially in group 5, only spare fluorescent dye deposition could be detected in the hybrid layer.

CONCLUSIONSDentin saturated with ethanol for more than 2 min before bonding hydrophobic adhesive to dentin could provide favorable bond strength and decreased the micropermeability of bonding interfaces under simulated pulp pressure.

Acid Etching, Dental ; Composite Resins ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Cements ; Dental Enamel ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Dentin ; Dentin-Bonding Agents ; Ethanol ; Humans ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Materials Testing ; Resin Cements ; Tensile Strength ; Water

Objective:Tacrolimus prolonged-release(PR) formulation is a new once-daily formulation of the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus,which is currently used in adult liver or kidney transplant patients,and is also gradually widely used in children with nephrotic syndrome.The present study was undertaken to preliminarily investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of tacrolimus PR in pediatric nephrotic syndrome recipients.Methods:This single-center open-label prospective study was performed in pediatric nephrotic syndrome recipients.Pharmacokinetic samples were collected from eight pediatric subjects with nephrotic syndrome from Department of Pediatric Nephrology in Peking University First Hospital between June and August 2011.They followed administration of single oral doses of tacrolimus PR formulation at 0.02 mg/kg (n =2),0.05 mg/kg (n =2) and 0.10 mg/kg (n =4).Blood samples were taken before the dose and 1,2,4,6,8,10,12 and 24 h after drug intake.No other medicines or interacting food or drinks were taken during the study period.Blood concentrations were measured using an enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique.Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using WinNolin Phoenix software Version 6.0 (Pharsight,Cary,NC,USA).Results:The pharmacokinetic data were best described by a non-compartment model.Pharmacokinetic parameters of tacrolimus PR formulation in the 3 ascending doses groups (0.02 mg/kg,0.05 mg/kg and 0.10 mg/kg) were as follows:the maxi mum drug concentrations (Cm=/D) were (1.7 ± 1.0) μg/L,(3.1 ± 1.9) μg/L,(8.0 ± 3.5) μg/L,respectively;Areas under the drug concentration-time curve (AUCo-∞/D) were (47.2 ± 47.1) h · μg/ L,(84.0 ± 13.1) h · μg/L,(175.6 ± 107.1) h · μg/L,respectively;Oral clearance rates were (0.8±0.9) L/(h·kg),(0.4±0.1) L/(h · kg),(1.9 ±1.3) L/(h · kg),respectively;Body weight normalized distribution volumes were (7.0 ± 3.4) L/kg,(12.4 ± 8.4) L/kg and (73.6 ± 68.6) L/kg,respectively.Both mean Cmax normalized level for the administered dose (Cmax/D) and mean AUC0-∞ normalized level for the administered dose (AUC0-∞/D) were higher in the 0.05 mg/kg dosage group than in the 0.02 and 0.10 mg/kg dosage group.There were two peaks in the drug concentrations in every dose group;a primary peak appeared at the end of about 2 h followed by a small secondary peak at h 12,which was more noticeable in the 0.10 mg/kg dose group than in the two lower dosages.Conclusion:The pharmacokinetic characteristics of tacrolimus PR formulation were initially explored in pediatric patients with nephritic syndrome.The data presented form a basis for subsequent larger scale studies on pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus PR formulation in nephritic syndrome children.