Objective: The sustained release curcumin solid lipid nanoparticles (Cur-SLN) and long circulating solid lipid nanoparticles (LSLN) were prepared, and the physicochemical properties of the two nanoparticles were investigated. Methods: Cur-SLN was prepared by emulsification ultrasonic method, and then the entrapment efficiency and drug loading of Cur-SLN prepared under the optimal formulation were determined. Cur-LSLN was prepared by back-extrapolation method, and the physicochemical properties of Cur-SLN and Cur-LSLN were evaluated by entrapment efficiency, drug loading, particle size, and Zeta potential; DSC was used to analyze, in vitro release characteristics and the transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to observe particle appearance. Results: Based on the optimal conditions, TEM showed that the appearance of Cur-SLN and Cur-LSLN were spherical or nearly spherical, the entrapment efficiency respectively were (89.15 ± 0.66)% and (92.97 ± 0.27)%, drug loading were (1.72 ± 0.08)% and (1.98 ± 0.08)%, average diameters of particles were (144.5 ± 4.1) nm and (155.0 ± 2.6) nm, and the mean Zeta potential were (-23.6 ± 0.2) mV and (-47.8 ± 1.8) mV. Through DSC detection, it can be determined that Cur in nanoparticles had been transformed into amorphous state. In vitro release test showed that the drug release of the two preparations was divided into two stages: burst release phase and sustained released stage, the release rate was fast in 12 h, and the cumulative release of Cur-SLN in 96 h was 86.63%, and Cur-LSLN was 76.98%, so Cur-LSLN showed better sustained-release effect. Conclusion: Cur-SLN and Cur-LSLN can be successfully prepared by emulsification ultrasonic method, and PEG modified nanoparticles have better sustained-release properties and prolong the time of the presence of drug in vivo, providing reference for the development of targeted drugs.

Objective To analyze the correlation between impact positions on the head and hyperextension severities of cervical spinal cord,as well as their treatment.Methods A retrospective analysis was done for 41 cases of hyperextension of cervical spinal cord without fracture-dislocation who had received management in our department from January 1999 to January 2004.All the patients had no cervical disorders before injuries.They were injured by impact mostly on the forehead,cheek or lower mandible.Their neurological findings at admission and 6-month follow-ups were assessed according to ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) rating system.Results Of the 20 patients who were injured by impact on the forehead,four were rated in neural function as grade B,11 as grade C,and five as grade D at admission,while one as grade C,11 as grade D,and eight as grade E at 6-month follow-up.Of the 12 patients who were injured by impact on the cheek,one was rated in neural function as grade B, four as grade C,and seven as grade D at admission,while one as grade C,two as grade D,and nine as grade E at 6-mouth follow-up.Of the nine patients who were injured by impact on the lower mandible,five were rated in neural function as grade B,three as grade C,and one as grade D at admission,while two as grade B,five as grade C,and two as grade E at 6-month follow-up.The 6-month follow-ups after treatment showed that the neural function was rated below grade C in nine patients,seven of whom had been injured by impact on mandible.Two patients of grade B who showed little improvement after treatment had been injured also by impact on mandible.Conclusion Impact on the lower mandible causes mote severe hyperextension than impact on tbe cheek or forehead.Both rea- sonable non-operative and operative treatments can lead to satisfactory outcome for patients with hyperextension of cervical spinal cord but without fracture-dislocation.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of rehabilitation on fractures around knee treated with external fixation.Methods48 cases with the fractures around knee who accepted early rehabilitation after external fixation had been observed for 0.5～4 years.ResultsAll the cases came up to clinical healing standards within 7 months. According to Kolmert's standard, the rate of fine and good was 89.6%.ConclusionThere was satisfactory outcome treating fractures around knee with external fixation. Early rehabilitation is important to avoid the knee joint rigor.

To observe the expression of N - cadherin and fibronectin in retinal pigment epithelium ( RPE) cells in vitro under high glucose conditions, furthermore, to explore the effects of high glucose on epithelial -mesenchymal transition (EMT) in RPE cells.
●METHODS: Human RPE (hRPE) cells were cultured in vitro. Containing a final concentration of 60mmol/ L glucose was used for high glucose treatment. The cells were divided into normal glucose group (5. 5mmol/ L, NG) and high glucose group (24, 48 and 72h) respectively. The expression of N - cadherin and fibronectin in hRPE cells were evaluated by immunofluorescence and real -time PCR.
●RESULTS:RPE cells became disorganized and swollen over time under high glucose conditions, especially in 72h subgroup. lmmunohistochemical analysis revealed that the expression of N - cadherin in RPE cells under high glucose conditions was decreased compared with that in the control group, while the expression of fibronectin was increased. Real - time PCR results showed that the expression of N - cadherin mRNA in high glucose group was decreased at 24h compared with that in the control group, and declined markedly at 72h ( F = 12. 252, P =0. 000). There were no significant differences between the control group and the high glucose group at 24h, while the differences between the control group and the high glucose group (48 and 72h) were significant respectively (P < 0. 05 ). Meanwhile, the expression of fibronectin mRNA in RPE cells was increased in high glucose group at 24h, and reached the peak at 72h (F = 50. 543, P = 0. 000). There were no significant differences between the control group and the high glucose group at 24h. Compared with the control group, the expression of fibronectin mRNA in hRPE cells was increased significantly in high glucose group (48 and 72h) respectively (P= 0. 000, P= 0. 000).
●CONCLUSlON: The expression of epithelium marker N-cadherin is down - regulated under high glucose conditions in hRPE cells in vitro. Meanwhile, the expression of mesenchymal maker fibronectin is induced and appeared to EMT changes. Results of this study will enrich our growing understanding in proliferative diabetic retinopathy and hopefully lead to novel insights for the pathogenesis and therapeutic treatments.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of osteopontin mRNA and its correlation with clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer and elucidate its role in tumor invasion and distant metastasis.

METHODSThe expression of OPN mRNA was detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR. The relationship between the relative content of OPN mRNA and clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer was analyzed.

RESULTSIn 66 cancer tissue samples, a 330 bp band was detected in 50 cases, the positive rate of OPN mRNA expression was 75.8% (50/66). The expression in all 20 cases of normal gastric mucosa was negative. The expression was associated with the depth of tumor invasion, diameter, lymph node metastasis and but had no correlation with differentiation grades. The 66 patients were followed up for 10 approximately 27 months (mean 16 months). The OPN mRNA expression positive group (50 cases) had recurrence in 15 patients and the negative group (16 cases) had only 1 case with recurrence (P = 0.05); 10 patients died in OPN mRNA expression positive group but no patient died in OPN staining negative group (P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOPN mRNA is over-expressed in gastric cancer. It reflects the progression of disease and association with poor prognosis of gastric cancer. OPN may play an important role in the process of distant metastasis in gastric cancer.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteopontin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

In this study, we use pot experiment to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulator on plant morphology and biomass allocation of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Different concentrations of uniconazole were supplied to S. miltioohiza by means of foliar spray. Height, breadth and stem diameter were measured dynamically, the biomass of leaf, stem, flower and fruit, root biomass and biomass ratio were also examined at the harvest time. Owing to the treatment, plant morphology showed significant changes, the height had been greatly reduced and the breadth decreased largely. Meanwhile, the biomass allocation changed too. The biomass ratio of leaf and stem had been notably reduced while the biomass ratio of root had been increased remarkably. It appears that foliar application of uniconazole during vigorous growth period in S. miltioohiza has dramatic effect on dwarfing plant and improving resistant to lodging. This measure could also be applied to condensed cultivation of S. miltioohiza to increase production.
Biomass ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Triazoles ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVESTo determine the effect of destroying capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents (CSPA) fibers on paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) induced by the direct compression of L5 nerve root with autologous disc.

METHODSThe procedure used autologous disc of the rats from the coccygeal intervertebral discs to apply direct pressure to the L5 dorsal root. PWMT was measured at the different time points post-surgery and pre-surgery. The changes in spatial expression pattern of c-fos protein in the spinal cord were also determined at 3 weeks when PWMT decreased to the peak.

RESULTSThe pretreatment with capsaicin produced a complete prevention of mechanical hyperalgesia induced by disc compression. The direct compression of L5 nerve root produced an obvious expression of fos-like immunoreactivity neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, which was significantly decreased by pretreatment with capsaicin.

CONCLUSIONSThe study shows that CSPA fibers, which mainly terminated in superficial layers of dorsal horn, may play a key role in mechanical hyperalgesia in the new sciatica model.

Afferent Pathways ; physiopathology ; Animals ; Capsaicin ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hyperalgesia ; physiopathology ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; complications ; Male ; Pain Threshold ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sciatica ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively analyses the results of dynamic axial external fixator with modified technique in the treatment of severely Pilon fractures.

METHODSFrom July 2000 to February 2003, 14 patients with severely Pilon fractures were treated with dynamic axial external fixator inserted with modified technique combined with limited open reduction and internal fixation with screws and Kirschner wires, with two distal external pins inserted into talus and calcaneus respectively so that the rotation axis of distal clamp was coincided with that of ankle joint. All patients were young or middle-aged people from 20 y to 52 y (average 38 y). All fractures were Rüedi-Allg were type II or type III. External fixators were removed after bone healing. Duration of follow-up was 5 - 36 m (average 18 m).

RESULTSThe time of bone healing was 12 - 24 weeks (average 14 weeks). At the latest follow-up, results include 5 excellent, 6 good and 3 fair according to ankle scoring system (ASS). There was only one case of superficial pin site infection settled with oral antibiotics and pin site care with mild disinfectants. There was no wound breakdown, superficial and deep infection, osteomyelitis, fracture fragments redisplacement and collapse.

CONCLUSIONDynamic axial external fixator with modified technique combined with limited internal fixation is an effective method for the treatment of severely Pilon fractures.

Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; External Fixators ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fractures, Open ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar internal disc disruption (IDD).

METHODSThirty-six patients with chronic disabling low back pain proved by discography as IDD were treated with disc excision and lumbar interbody fusion, and 8 cases were treated with PLIF, 28 with ALIF. The clinical results were evaluated by pre- and post-operative VAS, and the fusion results were evaluated by X-ray studies of the lumbosacral spine.

RESULTSThe average period of follow-up was 18 months, ranging from 6 to 26 months. Six patients treated with PLIF basically disappeared low back pain, 2 complained of mild back pain; the VAS after operation was decreased significantly in comparison with that of pre-operation (P < 0.01). Twenty-seven treated with ALIF basically disappeared low back pain; the VAS after operation was decreased significantly in comparison with that of pre-operation (P < 0.01). Fusion rate was 88% in patients who were treated with PLIF, and 97% in patients with ALIF.

CONCLUSIONDisc excision and interbody fusion is an effective method for the treatment of IDD, but the operation indications should be known well.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Intervertebral Disc ; diagnostic imaging ; Low Back Pain ; etiology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Diseases ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Genes, Viral ; genetics ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Protein Isoforms ; genetics ; Viral Core Proteins ; genetics