OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for predicting tablet hardness by near infrared diffuse reflection spectroscopy. METHODS: Tablet hardness value was obtained by hardness meter. Calibration model between NIR spectra and the hardness was establish by partial least squares regression (PLSR) method and BP-ANN method. RESULTS: Correlation coefficients (r), root mean squares error of cross-validation (RMSECV), and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) obtained by PLSR model were 0.977 8, 0.742 and 0.815 kg respectively. And the correlation coefficients of training set, monitor set and testing set by BP-ANN were 0.987 3, 0.985 6, and 0.986 8, with RSE% of 6.83%, 8.77%, and 6.69%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prediction accuracy of BP-ANN nonlinear model is superior to the PLSR model.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rapid and nondestructive method to determine coating thickness of the total saponin of Radix Bupleuri enteric coated tablets by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) analytical technique. METHODS: Spectral pretreating methods, wavenumber selection and factors of NIRS were discussed in detail. Different modeling methods were compared and the methodology of model was investigated. RESULTS: Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used for building the quantitative calibration model. Correlation coefficients(r), root-mean-squares error of cross-validation (RMSECV), and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) obtained by PLSR model were 0.9915, 3.6 and 3.24 μm respectively. CONCLUSION: Predicted results show that the established method is rapid, nondestructive, and reliable, which can be applied to the online monitor of Chinese medicine tablets coating process.

Objective To evaluate the MR imaging and CT appearances of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) of the liver and improve the accuracy of diagnosis in FNH. Methods 6 patients with solitary FNH underwent MR exiamnation. Dynamic Gd-DTPA enhancement were performed in all the lesions. Of the 6 patients, three underwent CT plain and dynamic contrast scan; one underwent CT plain scan. More attention was payed to the atypical appearances. Results Atypical lesion appearances ineludod:apparent hypointensity on T1 WI and hyperintensity on T2WI,diffusly heterogeneous enhancement in arterial phase, pseudocapsule enhancement in delayed phase;the dynamic contrast MR and CT appearance in each phase were not all similar. Conclusion MR and CT especially dynamic contrast enhancemenl is of great value to the diagnosis of FNH. The atypical appearances of FNH shoud keep in mind to avoid misdiagnosis.

Objective To observe the parameters and effect of endocardial pacing by steel wire electrode cardiac puncture on heart with normal beat in living animal, and evaluate its safety.Methods After anaesthesia and thoracotomy in 6 living dogs with normal heart beat, the pericardia were excised. Steel wire electrodes with annular or hook tips were used respectively at right ventricular 4 corresponding spots to perform cardiac puncture endocardiac pacing (each dog experienced 8 times of puncture); the time from puncture to effective pacing, pacing parameter and puncture complication (time and quantity of bleeding) of each electrode at each spot were recorded. Finally, the two types of electrode completed 24 times of manipulation respectively; the data collected of the two types were compared. Results The cardiac pacing successful rates in the two groups were 100%; the time taken from the beginning of heart puncture to effective pacing in annular tip group was less than that in hook tip group, but the time difference between the two groups showed no statistical significance (s: 18.4±2.3 vs. 19.6±4.1,P > 0.05). The parameters of pacing in the annular tip group, such as operation time (s: 18.4±2.3 vs. 19.6±4.1), the threshold value of pacing (V: 2.1±0.2 vs. 2.2±0.8), the amplitude of R wave sensed (mV: 11.3±3.2 vs. 12.6±4.1) and the impedance of electrode (Ω: 674.2±89.7 vs. 668.5±101.3) were not significantly different compared with those in the hook tip group (allP > 0.05). Either after puncture or after the electrodes were taken out, the time of bleeding [after puncture (minutes): 4.4±2.3 vs. 4.5±3.1, after the electrodes taken out (minutes): 4.1±2.2 vs. 4.8±2.5] and the volume of bleeding [after puncture (mL): 2.8±2.4 vs. 3.2±3.5, after the electrodes taken out (mL): 3.3±1.7 vs. 3.5±2.6] were not significantly different between the two groups (allP > 0.05).Conclusions In living dogs with normal heart beat, the manipulation and function of endocardiac pacing by cardiac puncture with either steel wire annular or hook tip electrode are well and effective, and the performance is simple and safe without any serious myocardial injury and complication. Thus, it is helpful to quickly establish efficient endocardiac pacing in emergency cases.

Paeoniflorin is the main active ingredient of Chinese herbaceous peony. This study is to investigate the protective effect of paeoniflorin (Pae) on acute brain damage induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. The mice were randomly assigned to the normal control, model control (LPS), as well as groups of paeoniflorin and lipopolysaccharide (Pae + LPS). Then the mice were administered intraperitioneally with normal saline or Pae (10, 30 mg · kg(-1)) once daily for 6 d. One hour after intrapertioneally treatment on the seventh day, each group were injected LPS (5 mg · kg(-1)) to establish the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide inflammation model except the normal group. The mice were sacrificed after 6 h and the brain homogenates were prepared and measured. The malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), succinatedehydrogenase (SDH), Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase were dectected by the colorimetric method. The levels of HO-1 and Nrf2 protein in subcellular fractions of brain tissue were detected by Western blot. The results demonstrated that the administration with paeoniflorin reduced the levels of the MDA production; significantly increase the activities of antioxidant enzyme (SOD and GSH-PX). In addition, paeoniflorin could enhance the total antioxidant capacity, decrease the level of H2O2, and increase the activities of SDH, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase. Furthermore, paeoniflorin can increase the expression of HO-1 and activate the nuclear transfer of Nrf2. Taking together, these findings suggest that paeoniflorin alleviate the acute inflammation in mice brain damage induced by LPS, which is related with its antioxidant effect and improvement of energy metabolism.
Animals ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Monoterpenes ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism

0.05). Two fasting blood samples of 3 mL were taken in both groups and were sealed in tubes.Serum was separated by centrifugation at 3 000 r/min for 10 min. The serum IGF-Ⅰ, IgG, IgA and IgM were detected with the method of ELISA. The body height, wieght were measured at the same time. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 11.0 software. Means and standard deviation were calculated.t-test was used to compare the differences between menas.Pearson correlation was used to analyze the significance of correlation.Results The serum IGF-Ⅰ,IgG,IgA,IgM and weight,height in RRI group were (21.8?4.5) ?g/L,(8.85?1.94) g/L,(0.78?0.22) g/L,(1.01?0.55) g/L,(17.7?4.92) kg and (95.2?3.22) cm.The serum IGF-Ⅰ,IgG,IgA,IgM and weight,height in control group were (32.7?4.7) ?g/L,(12.05?2.09) g/L,(1.95?0.90) g/L,(1.60?0.60) g/L,(25.3?9.6) kg,(104.7?8.32) cm,respectively.There were significant differences between 2 groups(Pa

Objective To investigate the mRNA expression and methylation status of IL-13 receptor(IL-13R)α1 gene in peripheral T lymphocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Methods Venous blood samples were obtained from 10 SLE patients(5 in active phase,5 in inactive phase)and 6 normal human controls.CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were isolated from these samples via magnetic activated cell sorting(MACS).Real-time quantitative PCR was used to test the mRNA expression of IL-13Rα1 gene,and methylation specific PCR to detect the methylation status.Results The expression level of IL-13Rα1 mRNA was 2.224±0.251,1.712±0.132.and 1.104±0.044 in CD4+ T cells of active SLE patients,inactive SLE patients and controls,respectively;the difference between the three groups was statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The expression level of IL-13Rα1 mRNA in CD8+T cells was significantly higher in active SLE patients than that in the normal controls(1.672±0.142 vs 1.238±0.106,P＜0.05),while no difference was noted between inactive and active SLE patients or normal controls.The methylation index of IL-13Rα1 gene was 0.454±0.023.0.635±0.065.0.844±0.097 in CD4+T cells of active SLE patients,inactive SLE patients and normal controls,respectively,and the difference between the three groups was significant(all P＜0.05),while no significant difference was observed in the methylation index in CD8+T cells among these groups(P＞0.05).The IL-13Rα1 mRNA expression in CD4+T and CD8+T cells was positively correlated with SLE disease activity index(SLEDAI)score(r=0.79,0.76,P=0.007,0.02 respectively).A negative correlation was found between the methylation level Of IL-13Rα1 in CD4+T cells and SLEDAI score(r=-0.89.P＜0.0 1).as well as between the IL-13Rα1 mRNA expression and its methylation level(r=-0.84,P＜0.0 1).Conclusion The development of SLE may be related to the overexpression of IL-13Rα1 gene induced by DNA hypomethylation in T cells.

Objective To investigate the significance of the serum levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10),IL-13,IL-15 of patients with chronic hepatic failure and the correlation between those inter- leukin levels and nosocomial infections.Methods The serum levels of IL-10,IL-13,IL-15 of 58 patients with chronic hepatic failure were measured by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immu- nosorbent assay at the time of admission and 2 weeks after admission.Results The serum levels of IL-15 and the propotion of IL-15/IL-10 and IL-15/IL-13 in patients with chronic hepatic failure group at the time of admission were significantly higher than those in healthy control group[(358.16?290.91) ng/L vs (38.55?21.49) ng/L,12.93?14.26 vs 1.10?0.55,98.55?97.5.5 vs 9.70?5.03,respectively,all P=0.000].Those in death group were significantly higher than those in improving group[(479.93v205.52) ng/L vs (244.51?236.29) ng/L,17.65?17.78 vs 8.53?7.98,130.69?115.50 vs 68.55?65.99,respectively,all P

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of a microencapsule scaffold capable of sustained release of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in promoting the osteogenic differentiation of rat periosteum-derived stem cells (PDSCs) in vitro.

METHODSPDSCs from 4-week-old SD rats, after identification of the surface markers using flow cytometry, were induced to differentiate into osteoblast, chondroblast, and adipocyte lineages. The differentiated cells were verified by staining with Alizarin red, toluidine blue, alcian blue, oil red O and by immunofluorescence assay. FGF-2/PELA/BMP-2, FGF-2/PELA, PELA/BMP-2 and PELA microcapsules were prepared, examined for surface morphologies using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and tested for controlled release of FGF-2 and BMP-2 using ELISA. The third passage of PDSCs were cultured in the presence of the aqueous extracts of one of the 4 materials, and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity in the culture media was detected at 7 and 14 days of culture; the expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes were quantified with quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The osteogenic differentiation ability of the PDSCs cultured with the extracts was compared.

RESULTSThe PDSCs, which expressed mesenchymal stem cell surface markers, were shown to have osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation potentials. The cells cultured with the extract of FGF-2/PELA/BMP-2 microcapsules showed the highest AKP activity at 7 and 14 days of culture, and their expression levels of OCN and RunX-2 mRNA were the highest among the 4 groups; RunX-2 expression reached its peak level on day 14, and OCN mRNA expression level increased progressively as the culture time extended.

CONCLUSIONFGF-2/PELA/BMP-2 biomimetic controlled release microcapsules preserve the cytokine activities and are capable of promoting the osteogenic differentiation of rat PDSCs.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of diallyl sulfide (DAS) in protection against acute lung injury in rats induced by paraquat(PQ). METHODS A total of 100 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group,PQ 70 mg·kg-1 model group,and DAS 25,50 and 100 mg·kg-1 treatment groups,with 20 rats in each group. A poisoning model was estalolished after administration ig at a single dose of PQ 70 mg·kg-1,while the normal control group was ip given the same volume of normal saline. DAS 25,50 and 100 mg · kg-1 was intraperitoneally injected 30 min before and after PQ exposure. Five rats in each group were sacrificed at 1,3,6 and 12 h,respectively. The inferior lobe of the right lung was observed by HE staining under an optical microscope. Tissue of the upper lobe of the right lung was used to detect the content of nitric oxide (NO). Alveolar macrophages (AMs) were collected and cultured for 24 h,and the content of nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)in the supernatant was detected. AMs were cultured for 72 h and the expression of iNOS protein in AMs was detected by immunocytochemistry method. RESULTS Compared with normal control group,the alveolar structure of PQ group was severely damaged and the pathological score was significantly increased(P<0.01). The NO content of PQ group was significantly higher than in normal control group(P<0.01). The content and protein expression of iNOS were significantly increased in PQ group(P<0.01). Compared with PQ group,the lung injury score of rats in DAS 50 mg·kg-1 group at 3,6 and 12 h and in the DAS 100 mg·kg-1 group at each time point was decreased(P<0.05). Compared with PQ group,the NO content of DAS 25 and 50 mg · kg-1 group was decreased(P<0.05),and the NO content of DAS 100 mg · kg-1 group was significantly reduced(P<0.01). The content of iNOS was reduced in DAS 100 mg · kg-1 group(P<0.05). Compared with PQ group,the expression of iNOS protein in DAS groups was decreased(P<0.05). CONCLUSION DAS can inhibit the oxidative damage in rats induced by PQ.