Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation(NPPV) as a weaning strategy in patients with acute respiratory failure after failure to wean from invasive positive pressure ventilation(IPPV). Method A prospective randomized and controlled clinical trial of weaning of IPPV was carried out in patients mechanically ventilated in mode of IPPV for more than 48 hours with failure in a spontaneous breathing trial(SBT: PSV 6 cmH_2O). Patients with contraindications to NPPV were excluded. After failure the SBT, patients were randomly divided(random number) in two groups. Patients in NPPV group were extubated after being ventilated with high pressure support for 30 minutes and then placed on NPPV. Patients in IPPV group were weaned following conventional procedure. Arterial blood gases, maximal inspiratory pressure, respiratory rate,tidal volume, rapid shallow breathing index, heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and peripheral oxygen saturation were measured before and after failing the SBT. The rate of complications, including pneumonia and tracheotomy duration mechanical ventilation, days of hospital stay and outcome were observed. Findings of the two groups were vompared using the Student t test and the chi-square test. Results The percentage of complications in the NPPV group was lower(22.9% versus 72.2%, P <0.01) ,with lower incidences of pneumonia(6.1%,36.1%; P <0.01) and tracheotomy. Compared between the two groups, days of ICU stay( 14.16(3.45) d vs. 22.57( 7.71 ) d; P <0.01) and total days of mechanical ventilation(14.88±3.76 days vs. 20.68± 2.79 days, P <0.01) of NPPV group are shorter than IPPV group. Conclusions NPPV is a good alternative to the mechanically venti-lated patients who fail in initial weaning attempts. The key to successful NPPV weaning is the proper selection of weaning candidates and using NPPV as soon as possible after extubation.

Objective To investigate network user's attention rate of the keyword“cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases”(CCD). Methods The keyword was analyzed by using Baidu index. Results The overall trend of keyword search rose slightly. The mobile search grew significantly. During the Spring Festival overall search decreased significantly. According to clustering analysis the word“symptom”was most often used with“CCD”;30 to 39 years old age group accounted for about 50%of total number of online search. Men accounted for 70% of all keyword search, women accounted for 30%. The rankings of CCD search number were more on top in the economically developed area. Conclusion It is necessary to strengthen publicity and education to prevent the happening of CCD during Spring Festival. Men need to raise awareness about CCD. The construction of rural informatization should be speeded up. Network education could be used as a part of method for the primary and secondary prevention of CCD. Keyword analysis method could effectively analyze the network user search behavior and find information they need.

As the most potent antigen-presenting cells (APC), dendritic cells are important in launching both humoral and cellular immune responses against tumor. Although the high evaluation of DC in immunotherapy for cancer by means of DC vaccines, more studies have indicated DC is a heterogeneous population and proved that DC subsets are prominent determinants for the effectiveness of immune responses. Different DC subsets display different receptors and surface molecules, and express different sets of cytokines/chemokines, which result in distinct immunological outcomes. Clinical trials with ex vivo generated DC vaccines also manifest unexpected immunological tolerance as well as allergic response. It is essential to study the biological aspects of human DC subsets, which may be a key to the generation of novel DC-based vaccines. In this article, the progress of studies on biology of dendritic cells including their origins, differentiation, function and application of DC subsets is reviewed.
Cancer Vaccines ; therapeutic use ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; therapy

Curcumin-ethyl-cellulose (EC) sustained-release composite particles were prepared by using supercritical CO2 anti-solvent technology. With drug loading and yield of inclusion complex as evaluation indexes, on the basis of single factor tests, orthogonal experimental design was used to optimize the preparation process of curcumin-EC sustained-release composite particles. The experiments such as drug loading, yield, particle size distribution, electron microscope analysis (SEM) , infrared spectrum (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and in vitro dissolution were used to analyze the optimal process combination. The orthogonal experimental optimization process conditions were set as follows: crystallization temperature 45 degrees C, crystallization pressure 10 MPa, curcumin concentration 8 g x L(-1), solvent flow rate 0.9 mL x min(-1), and CO2 velocity 4 L x min(-1). Under the optimal conditions, the average drug loading and yield of curcumin-EC sustained-release composite particles were 33.01% and 83.97%, and the average particle size of the particles was 20.632 μm. IR and DSC analysis showed that curcumin might complex with EC. The experiments of in vitro dissolution showed that curcumin-EC composite particles had good sustained-release effect. Curcumin-EC sustained-release composite particles can be prepared by supercritical CO2 anti-solvent technology.
Carbon Dioxide ; chemistry ; Cellulose ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Curcumin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Solubility ; Solvents ; Technology, Pharmaceutical

BackgroundPterygium is an ocular surface disease of abnormal cell proliferative kind and angiogenesis plays an important role in its development and recurrence.Several anti-angiogenic therapies have been used to treat pterygium,but there very few studtes for the in vivo observation of the microvessles in pterygium.ObjectiveThis study was to observe angiogenesis in pterygium with a high-resolution confocal microscope in vivo and to perform immunohistochemical study in vitro.MethodsA prospective case-controlled study was designed.Twenty eyes of 20 consecutive patients with primary pterygia and 20 age- and sex-matched patients with inner eye diseases and strabismus with normal conjunctiva were enrolled in this study.An in vivo confocal microscopy imaging system (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph Ⅱ Rostock Cornea Module) was used to collect microvascular pictures from the anterior part of pterygia and normal nasal conjunctiva of controls,and then immunochemistry was performed to examine the expression of CD31 in microvessel in vitro.The vascular density values were compared between these two groups.The correlation of vascular density values between in vivo Heidelberg Retina Tomograph and in vitro immunohistochemistry was calculated.Written informed consent was obtained from pationts before any examination and surgery.ResultsUnder the in vivo confocal microscope,the microvessel density was (8929±2993) μm/mm2 and (4202 ±692)μm/mm2,respectively,in pterygium and the normal conjunctiva group with a statistically significant difference between them (t =6.881,P＜0.01 ).Immunochemistry revealed that the expression of CD31 to measure vascular density was ( 21.00 ± 4.06/400 × field ) and ( 6.07 ± 1.75/400 × field ) in pterygium and the normal conjunctiva group,showing significant difference (t =12.312,P＜0.01 ).Positive correlations were found in the vascular density values between in vivo corneal laser confocal microscopy examination and in vitro immunochemistry examination in both the pterygium group and normal conjunctiva group (pterygium group:r=0.649,P＜0.01 ;normal conjunctiva group: r=0.572,P＜0.01 ) ConclusionsIn vivo confocal microscopy imaging is superior to in vitro immunochemistry in evaluating the microvessel of pterygium.The results of this study offer a new way index for further investigation of the biological behavior of pterygium and its mechanism.

Phytoestrogens, which can bind with estrogen receptor and produce estrogen-like effects, are a kind of nonsteroidal compound in plant. Phytoestrogens chemically include isoflavones, coumarins, lignans and other compounds. Phytoestrogens are selective estrogen receptor modulator, and have therapeutical effects on breast cancer, prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis and other disease, however, do not produce stimulatory hyperplasia effects on uterus, mammary glands and other tissues and organs with positive estrogen receptor. Long-term exposure or excessive use of phytoestrogens maybe affects male reproductive system and hematopoietic function of fetus. Some questions need to be further studied, such as evaluation criteria on biological activity, adverse effects, and action mechanism of phytoestrogen. This review covers plant sources, chemical structure, pharmacological activity and safety of phytoestrogens. It will provide a useful reference for intensive research and rational utilization the phytoestrogens.
Animals ; Humans ; Phytoestrogens ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-inflammatory effect of total saponins of Panax japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 macrophages.

METHODThe effect of total saponins of P. japonicus of different concentrations on RAW264. 7 cell viability was determined with the MTT method. The NO kit assay was adopted to detect the NO release of total saponins of P. japonicus to LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta). The reverse transeriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) ,TNF-alpha,IL-1beta. The protein expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65) was tested by Western blot.

RESULTThe safe medication range of total saponins of P. japonicus was less than 80 mg x L(-1). Compared with the LPS model group, total saponins of P. japonicus high, middle and low dose groups (0.1, 1, 10, 40 mg x L(-1)) could significantly reduce the secretion of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta of LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells, and inhibit the expressions of iNOS, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA and the protein expression of NF-kappaB p65.

CONCLUSIONThis study preliminarily proves the protective effect of total saponins of P. japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Its action mechanism may be related to NF-kappaB signal pathway.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; immunology ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; immunology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Saponins ; pharmacology

BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated that construction of eoexpression plasmid containing multiple genes on the same vector could improve transfection and expression rates.OBJECTIVE: To construct eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1 (+)-MUC1 -GM-CSF by human polymorphic epithclial mucin (MUC 1) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor.(GM-CSF) and to observe expression of recombinant plasmid in COS-7 cells.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING: Gene recombination design,which was carried out in the Animal Central Laboratory,the Fourth Military University of Chinese PLA from September 2005 to December 2006.MATERIALS: Eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1 (+) was presented by Pro.Taylor-Papadimitriou;pGEM-3zf()-GM-CSF plasmid,COS-7 cells,pUCI 8 vector,and E.coli DH5α were made in the center; female BALB/c mice were provided by Experimental Animal Center of the Fourth Military University of Chinese PLA.METHODS: Signal peptide was synthesized with encoded MUCI gene sections to obtain repeated sequence coneatemer after renaturation.Next,the accepted concatemer was cloned with GM-CSF following enzyme identification and sequencing analysis,and then they were put in eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+) to construct eukaryotic coexpression plasmid pcDNA3.1 (+)-MUCI -GM-CSF in order to transform COS-7 cells.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gene expression was detected by indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS: Enzyme identification and sequencing analysis showed that recombinant plasmid contained a fusion gene encompassing human MUC1 repeated sequence concatemer and GM-CSF; moreover,MUC1 expression was detected in COS-7 cells,while recombinant plasmid could induce the production of anti-GM-CSF antibody.CONCLUSION: The recombination between human MUC1 repeated sequence concatemer and GM-CSF gene successfully constructs eukaryotic coexpression plasmid.

Objective To construct a recombinant bacillus Calmette-Guérin(BCG) vaccines based on different tandem repeats of MUC1 and GM-CSF, rBCG-MVNTR1/4/8-CSF, and to observe the ability of three recombinant BCG vaccines in the inhibition of breast cancer. Methods After MUC1 variable-number tandem repeats (MVNTR1/4/8) were cloned in a stepwise manner, the E. coli-Mycobacteria shuttle expression vector pDE22-MVNTR1/4/8-CSF were constructed by fusing MVNTR1/4/8 and GM-CSF, and then used to transform competent BCG by electroporation after identification by restriction endonuclease digestion analysis and DNA sequencing. A novel breast cancer vaccines, rBCG-MVNTR1/4/8-CSF was constructed. The expression of fused MVNTR1/4/8-CSF protiens was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The ability of rBCG vaccines inhibiting the growth of breast cancer was observed in hu-PBL-SCID mice. The specific T cell responses in mice were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results The expression of recombinant MVNTR1/4/8-CSF fusion proteins were detected by SDS-PAGE and Western Blot in rBCG-MVNTR1/4/8-CSF vaccines, respectively. Tumor incidence in mice prophylactic immunized with rBCG-MVNTR4-CSF (37.5%) or rBCG-MVNTR8-CSF (25%) significantly decreased compared with PBS and BCG-pDE22 control ( 100% ) at 42 days after tumor implantation ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). MCF-7 tumor growth inhibition in rBCG- MVNTR4/8-CSF-immunized mice was more significant than that in controls ( P ＜0. 01 ).The inhibition effect of three rBCG vaccines on breast rumor growth appeared to rise with increase of numbers of the tandem repeats of MUC1. Survival rate was 75% of mice in the rBCG-MVNTR4-CSF-treated group and 87. 5% of mice in the rBCG-MVNTR8-CSF-treated groups at 70 days after tumor implantation; however,survival rate was only 12. 5% in control group( P ＜0. 05). The CD4-positive and CD8-positive lymphocytes were detected only in rBCG-MVNTR4/8-CSF-immunized mice. Conclusions rBCG-MVNTR4/8-CSF immunization inhibits breast cancer growth in mice.

Puerarin (PUE), as an isoflavone component, has a wide range of pharmacological activities, while its poorly aqueous solubility limits the development of solid oral dosage forms. In this study, PUE along with nicotinamide (NIC) were prepared into the coamorphous system by solvent-evaporation method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). In addition, its dissolution behavior and solubilization mechanism were also investigated. PUE-NIC coamorphous was a single homogeneous binary system, with a single glass transition temperature at 35.1 ℃. In comparison to crystalline PUE, during the dissolution process, coamorphous PUE-NIC not only exhibited the "liquid-liquid phase separation" (LLPS) phenomenon, but the formation of A_p type complexation (1∶1 and 1∶2) between PUE and NIC molecules was also verified, which significantly improved the solubility of PUE and prolonged the supersaturation time, and would benefit its absorption.