With polyethylene glycol vitamin E succinate (TPGS) as the carrier materials, and berberine hydrochloride ( BER) as model drug, we formed berberine hydrochloride (BER) -loaded TPGS nanomicells (BER-PMs) using filming-rehydration method to improve its solubility and in vitro anti-tumor effect. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to observe the particle appearance; particle detector was used to detect the diameter and Zeta potential; and ultracentrifugation was utilized to determine the encapsulation efficiency (EE) and drug-loading (DD); dynamic dialysis method was used to study the in vitro release behavior of BER-PMs, and the anti-tumor activity against MCF-7 cells was determined by MTT method. Results showed that the average particle size of BER-PMs was (12.45 ± 1.46) nm; particle size was uniform and spherical; drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were (5.7 ± 0.22)% and (95.67 ± 5.35)%, respectively. Zeta potential was (-1.12 ± 0.23) mV; release rate within 24 h was 37.20% and 41.14% respectively in pH 7.4 and pH 6.5 phosphate buffer in vitro; compared with BER, BER-PMs can significantly inhibit MCF-7 cell proliferation (P < 0.05), promote cell apoptosis and improve the anti-tumor activity of BER in vitro. Therefore, the formed berberine hydrochloride micelle can more effectively promote the apoptosis of MCF-7 cell, and improve the drug's in vitro anti-tumor effect.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Berberine ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Particle Size ; Polymers ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Solubility

Objective: To prepare baicalin-loaded TPGS nanomicells (BCN-TPGS-PMs) and to evaluate its physicochemical properties, in vitro release behavior, and antitumor activity against MCF-7 cells. Methods: BCN-TPGS-PMs were prepared by film-thin hydration method. The preparation methods and formulations were optimized and screened based on particle size and encapsulation efficiency (EE) of micelles. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to observe the particle appearance, zetasizer instrument was used to detect the diameter and Zeta potential, and ultracentrifugation was utilized to determine the EE and drug-loading rate. Dynamic dialysis method was used to study the in vitro release behavior of BCN-TPGS-PMs, and the antitumor activity against MCF-7 cells was determined by MTT method. Results: The optimal BCN-TPGS-PMs were round with the nanometric size of (11.91 ± 0.14) nm, high EE rate of (95.83 ± 7.34)%, and drug-loading rate of (5.42 ± 0.04)%. The in vitro release behavior showed that BCN-TPGS-PMs had a slow release. Compared with free BCN, BCN-TPGS-PMs showed stronger cytotoxicity and inhibition against MCF-7 cells (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The prepared BCN-TPGS-PMs have small particle size, high drug-loading rate, and good stability, and could obviously increase the in vitro inhibitory effect of BCN.

Objective To delimit the natural infectious focus, including the distribution of wildlife,species, ecology of intermediate hosts and final host of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, as well as the routes of transmission and epidemiological characteristics and wildlife of human Angiostrongylus cantonensis, based on human diverging cases identified in Shenzhen, southern area of China. Methods Data including rate of infection and density of Angiostrongylus cantonensis among different hosts in 12 different areas in Shenzhen was collected, using microscope to inspect homogenate liquids of snails. Wild mice were captured with mouse cage to examine the adult Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Using larva isolated from wild-snails-infected rats to observe the life cycle of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Results Wild life of Angiostrongylus cantonensis existed in the southwest part of Shenzhen with its majority intermediate hosts as Achatina fulica. The overall rate of infection was 31% in wildlife and final host was found to be Rattus andersoni, Achatina fulica which were extensively distributed in the shrub region of Shenzhen because of suitable climate,humidity and vegetation for generating the life cycle of Achatina fulica. Human infected Angiostrongylus cantonensis was mainly due to eating raw snails or vegetables contaminated by larva of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.The peak of infection was seen from April to November in Shenzhen area.Conclusion Wildlife of Angiostrongylus cantonensis existed in the southwest part of Shenzhen with major wildlife reservoir including fresh water snail and wild mouse. The existence of natural focus Angiostrongylus cantonensis was now recognized as an important source of human angiostrongliasis in Shenzhen area.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum calcium level in 86 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) and its correlation with clinical features. METHODS: The clinical data of 86 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in our hospital from 2009 to 2016 were retrospectively analyed. Clinical data of sex, age, hemoglobin, albumin, globulin, creatinine, uric acid, serum phosphorus, β2-microglobulin, immunophenotyping and disease staging were collected. After the serum calcium level was corrected, the patients were grouped into low serum calcium (<2.20 mmol/L), normal serum calcium (2.20-2.60 mmol/L) and high serum calcium (>2.60 mmol/L). The correlation between the clinical characteristics and the serum calcium level was analysed, the clinical characteristics between the low and non-low calcium group were compared. RESULTS: The number of cases in low, normal and high serum cnlcium groups before correction was 58 (67.4%), 18 (20.9%) and 10 (11.6%) respactively, while the number of cases in 3 group after correction was 34 (39.5%), 36 (41.9%) and 16 (18.6%) respectively. The age, globulin, creatinine, uric acid and serum phosphorus levels were positively correlated with serum calcium level in patients with multiple myeloma, while the sex, hemoglobin,albumin and β2-microglobulin levels did not correlated with serum calcium level. There was significant difference in the age, globulin, creatinine and serum phosphorus between low calcium and non-low calcium group (P<0.05). However the differences of sex, hemoglobin, albumin, uric acid, β2-microglobulin, immunophenotyping and clinical stage were not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Multiple myeloma patients suffered from both hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia, and the incidence of hypocalcemia is not low. The levels of serum calcium in patients with multiple myeloma correlate with age, globulin, creatinine, uric acid, serum phosphorus level and other factors, thus it is necessary to correct the level of ionized calcium with physiological activity.
Calcium ; Creatinine ; Humans ; Incidence ; Multiple Myeloma ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies