Malignant tumors are major diseases that endanger human health. Due to their complex and variable microenvironment, most anti-tumor drugs cannot precisely reach the focal tissue and be released in a controlled manner. Intelligent responsive nano carriers have become a hot spot in the field of anti-tumor drug delivery systems. As an excellent nano material, mesoporous silica has the advantages of non-toxic, stable, adjustable pore volume and pore diameter, and easy functional modification on the surface. By virtue of its perceptive response to the tumor microenvironment or physiological changes, it can achieve the targeted drug release or controlled drug release of the drug delivery system in the tissue, making it an ideal carrier for intelligent response drug delivery system. In this paper, we review the design strategies and current research status of smart responsive anti-tumor drug delivery systems based on mesoporous silica, in order to provide a reference for the development of anti-tumor drug nanoformulations.

OBJECTIVETo study the advantages of Chinese medicine (CM) in treating insulin resistance and disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and to explore its underlying mechanisms.

METHODSOne hundred PCOS patients were assigned to three groups: 40 patients in the CM group treated by CM, 30 in the WM1 group treated by metformin, and 30 in the WM2 group treated by cyproterone. Before treatment and at 3 cycles and 6 cycles after treatment, changes of body mass index (BMI), fasting serum insulin (FINS) and fasting blood sugar (FBG) levels as well as lipid spectrum were measured and the homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Meanwhile, the recovery of ovulation was observed.

RESULTSThere were 30, 22 and 23 patients in the CM, WM1 and WM2 group respectively completed their 6-month treatments. Levels of FINS, FBG, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were lowered and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level increased in the CM group after 6-month treatment, showing significant difference as compared with the baseline (P < 0.05), and the difference in comparing with the WM2 group was statistically significant in terms of MBI, FINS, FBG, HOMA-IR, TC and LDL-C (P < 0.05). The ovulation rate was 53.3% (16/30) in the CM group, 27.3% (6/22) in the WM1 group and 21.7% (5/23) in the WM2 group, comparison between them showed a significant difference between the CM group and the WM2 group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCM is effective for the treatment of PCOS in improving insulin resistance, adjusting blood sugar and lipids levels and recovering ovulation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cyproterone ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipids ; blood ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Metabolic Diseases ; blood ; Metformin ; therapeutic use ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Young Adult

Catalpol is a active component in Rehmannia Root, and its pharmacological effects are extensive. In this paper its effects and chemical changes were summarized. This will offer the reference for further research work catalpol.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Iridoid Glucosides ; Iridoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rehmannia ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Hepatic encephalopathy is a common metabolic neuropsychiatric syndrome in the development of end-stage liver disease. Since the concept of intestinal-liver-brain axis was proposed, the relationship between the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy and the gut microbiota has been a hot research topic. In recent years, studies have confirmed that gut microbiota is involved in and affects various pathological processes of hepatic encephalopathy. This article combines the latest research progress at home and abroad to elaborate on the research status of regulating gut microbiota and thus interfering with the pathological process of hepatic encephalopathy, hoping to provide new ideas and methods for the intervention of hepatic encephalopathy based on the regulation of gut microbiota.

measured by OCT 1 and 3mo after surgery. Chi-square test was used to compare preoperative and postoperative BCVA. Pearsion’s correlation was used to evaluate relationship between postoperative BCVA and central foveal thickness.RESULTS:The ratio of BCVA<0. 05 was 30%,14%, 11%and 7% respectively for per-operation, 1wk, 1 and 3mo post - operation. After surgery, the central foveal thickness was significantly increased in group with BCVA<0. 3 comparing to group with BCVA≥0. 3. Three month post-operation, central foveal thickness was significantly decreased in both groups comparing to that in 1mo post-operation (P<0. 01). There has significant correlation between 3mo postoperative BCVA and central foveal thickness (r=-0.716, P<0.05).CONCLUSlON: ln this study, BCVA is improved after 3mo follow up. There has significant correlation between postoperative BCVA and central foveal thickness.

Objective To evaluate the effects of different concentrations of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on human dental pulp stem cells(hDPSC) proliferation and osteogenic differentiation activity so as to provide basis for future application of dental pulp stem cells and PRP in tissue engineering and bone repair therapy.Methods hDPSC were isolated and cultivated in vitro.Flow cytometric analysis was carried out to test the expression of STRO-1.hDPSC were cultured in various concentrations of PRP(1％,5％,10％,20％).At the 2nd and 6th day 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) was tested.Osteogenic differentiation of hDPSC was assessed using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and Alizarin Red staining at the 7th and 14th day.Results Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that 14.82％ of hDPSC were STRO-1 positive.One percent to 20％ PRP showed significant effect of promoting hDPSC proliferation.One percent to 10％ PRP showed significant effect of promoting hDPSC osteogenic differentiation.Conclusions Certain concentrations of PRP can promote hDPSC proliferate and osteogenic differentiate,and this finding suggests future application of dental pulp stem cells and PRP in bone tissue engineering.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of burn denatured acellular dermal matrix (DADM) as dermal substitute in repairing wounds.

METHODS(1) Nine Wistar rats received a deep partial-thickness scald on the back. Full-thickness wounded skin was collected on post scald day (PBD) 1, 2, and 3 (with 3 rats at each time point), and it was treated with 2.5 g/L trypsin/0.5% Triton X-100 to remove cells to prepare DADM, respectively called DADM-1 d, DADM-2 d, and DADM-3 d. Another 3 rats without scald injury were treated with the same method as above to prepare acellular dermal matrix (ADM) to serve as control. Gross and histological observations and microbiological and biomechanical tests, including ultimate tensile strength, maximum tension, stretched length at breaking, stress-strain relationship, were conducted for the resulting ADM and DADM. (2) Another 64 rats were divided into ADM group and DADM-1 d, DADM-2 d, and DADM-3 d groups according to the random number table, with 16 rats in each group. A skin flap in size of 2.0 cm×1.8 cm was raised on the back of each rat. The above-mentioned ADM, DADM-1 d, DADM-2 d, and DADM-3 d were cut into pieces in the size of 1.8 cm×1.5 cm, and they were respectively implanted under the skin flaps of rats in corresponding group. At post surgery week (PSW) 1, 3, 5, or 9, 4 rats in each group were used to observe wound healing condition and change in implants with naked eye, and histological observation of the implants was conducted. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and t test.

RESULTS(1) The freshly prepared DADM was milky white, soft in texture with flexibility, but poor in elasticity as compared with ADM. No epithelial structure or cellular component was observed in ADM or DADM under light microscope. Collagen fibers of DADM were seen to be thickened unevenly and arranged in disorder and eosinophilic. All microbiological results of DADM were negative. There was no statistically significant difference among DADM-1 d, DADM-2 d, and DADM-3 d in levels of ultimate tensile strength, maximum tension, stretched length at breaking, and stress-strain relationship (with F values from 0.088 to 3.591, P values all above 0.05). Values of the above-mentioned four indexes were the highest in DADM-3 d, they were respectively (13.0 ± 2.4) MPa, (61 ± 4) N, (173 ± 7)%, (45.7 ± 2.0)%. Values of the four indexes of ADM were respectively (19.0 ± 2.6) MPa, (95 ± 4) N, (201 ± 5)%, (62.5 ± 2.2)%, which were higher than those of DADM-1 d, DADM-2 d, and DADM-3 d (with t values from 6.424 to 17.125, P values all below 0.01). (2) No exudate or swelling in the wounds of rats, and no contraction or curling of implants were observed in every group at PSW 1, but inflammatory cells infiltration and Fbs inward migration were observed in the wound. At PSW 3, the growth of hair was normal in the wound in DADM-1 d, DADM-2 d, and ADM groups, but few and scattered hair grew in DADM-3 d group. The inflammatory cells decreased, while Fbs increased, and new capillaries were found to grow inwardly in each group. The decrease in inflammatory cells was slightly delayed in DADM-3 d group. At PSW 5, hair growth became normal, and implants shrank and thinned with fiber membrane wrapped densely and bundles of ingrowing large caliber blood vessels in all groups. The dermal matrix in each group merged with the surrounding normal tissue. At PSW 9, ADM and DADM became white, thin, and soft tissue sheet which was closely connected with the inner side of the flap. There was no infiltration of inflammatory cells in implants in either group. The collagen fibers arranged regularly and densely, and they were integrated with normal collagen tissue.

CONCLUSIONSThe burned DADM does not have obvious immunogenicity, but with good biocompatibility. It is prospective to become as a dermal substitute in repairing wounds.

Acellular Dermis ; Animals ; Burns ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin ; injuries ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Skin, Artificial ; Wound Healing

Purpose To investigate the expression of cy-toskeletal protein 4. 1N in Ewing's sarcoma and the correlation with cell proliferation as well as clinicopathological characteris-tics. Methods Immunohistochemical EnVision two-step stai- ning was used to detect the expression of 4. 1N in 52 Ewing's sarcoma cases, which 47 cases of them were performed to detect the expression of Ki-67. The relationship between the expression of 4. 1N and Ki-67, and the correlation with the pathological fea- tures including prognosis were analyzed. Results The positive expression of 4. 1N was found in 35% (18/52) of Ewing's sar-coma. Lower frequency of 4. 1N strong expression (1. 9% , 1/52) was detected in the cohort. Ki-67 labeling index in Ewing's sarcoma varied from 3% to 85% . 4. 1N expression displayed a negative correlation with Ki-67 index ( P ＜0. 05). Among the follow-up of 27 cases, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis suggested that patients with 4. 1N-negative had shorter survival period than patients with 4. 1N positive expression (P ＜0. 05). However, the expression of 4. 1N was not statistically correlated with sex, age, tumor's localization and metastasis. Conclusion 4. 1N mainly showed negative or lower expression in Ewing's sarcoma and was related to cell proliferation index Ki-67, which implied a potential function in regulating proliferation in Ewing's sarcoma. 4. 1N expression has potentially predictive value in outcome of E-wing's sarcoma.

Objective To investigate the characteristics about the prevalence of thyroid nodules detected on color Doppler uhrasonography(US) in people residing in Dalian City who undergo regular physical examinations, as well as its relative factors. Methods All thyroid sonographic and questionair procedures were performed in the 6020 people above 18-year-old living in the four districts of Dalian City for at least 5 years, who were examined at the department of health medical center of Dalian Municipal Central Hospital from May 2006 to March 2007. Urinary iodine concentration was measured in 2039 healthy adults selected by age layers in our study population. Moreover, urinary iodine concentrations were determined in 220 children aged 8-10 years old who were randomly chosen from four communities (55 children per elementary school from each community). The analysis of logistic regression was conducted for the risk factors linked to thyroid nodules. Results The prevalence of thyroid nodules in the 6020 adults was 38.5%(2319/6020), in which nodules sized between 0.3 and up to 0.5 cm were found in 17.1% (1030/6020), and those above 0.5 cm in 21.4% (1289/6020). Ultrsonography revealed solitary nodules in 17.2% (1036/6020), multinodular goiter in 21.3% (1283/6020). Fifty-four point nine percent (1272/2319) thyroid nodules showed solid internal echographic structures, 30.2%(701/2319) mixed and 14.9%(346/2319). The thyroid nodule detected rate in female individuals was 46.1% (1102/2393), among whom multinodular goiter [59.1% (651/1102)] was more than solitary nodules[40.9(451/1102)] in female; while only 33.6%(1217/3627) of male were detected to have thyroid nodule, there was a difference between the genders (χ2=95,079,P<0.01). The mediam urinary iodine concentration(MUI) was 184.32 μg/L in children and 216.75 μg/L in the health adults, moreover, it was 216.55 μg/L and 217.00 μg/L in the people with thyroid nodules and those without nodules without a significant difference (P>0.05). The rate of thyroid nodules gradually increased with age(χ2=344.998, P<0.01). The occurance of thyroid nodules was significant associated with gender and age(P<0.01). Conclusions The nutritional iodine intake in the four communities of Dalian City are adequate. The prevalence of thyroid incidentalomas is relatively high in this group of people receiving medical examination.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of sleep patterns and their effects on the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) among adults in Guangzhou. Methods A retrospective study was conducted using data collected by the lifestyle survey and health outcomes of 5 666 employees from Guangzhou who underwent physical examination between November 2012 and October 2013 at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital. Sleep patterns and their distribution profiles were analysed using latent class analysis (LCA). Multiple logistic regression models were performed to investigate the association between sleep patterns and DM. Results LCA identified five sleep patterns: “very short sleep duration with insomnia” (class 1, 5.6%), “sleep insufficiency with mild daytime dysfunction” (class 2, 20.4%), “normal sleep” (class 3, 47.7%), “sleep insufficiency with daytime functioning complaints” (class 4, 4.7%) and “sleep insufficiency with poor nocturnal sleep” (class 5, 21.6%). After adjustment for the confounding factors, subjects of class 1 (OR=2.28, 95% CI: 1.51-3.43, <0.001), class 4 (OR=2.48, 95% CI: 1.54-4.00, P<0.001) and class 5 (OR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.01-1.71, P=0.045) had a higher risk of DM when compared with those of class 3. Conclusions There were significant associations between various sleep-related factors, leading to distinct sleep behavioral patterns among adults. Poor sleep patterns could increase the risk of DM.