In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics parameters of SPIO-shRNA dual functional molecular probe and observed the main organ distribution by MRI in vivo. Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups and injected intravenously with different doses of SPIO-shRNA molecular probe, respectively. The blood samples were collected to analyze the pharmacokinetic parameters by measuring the iron content at 30 minutes before and after the injection. Twenty-four Kun Ming (KM) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group was injected intravenously with physiological saline 200 µL per mouse via the tail vein, the other 3 groups were injected intravenously with different doses of SPIO-shRNA molecular probe. MRI observation was performed in 24 hours, and the liver, spleen, kidney, brain and muscle were collected for iron quantification with Prussian blue staining to determine distribution of the SPIO-shRNA molecular probe in the main organ in vivo. Our results suggest that the molecular probe blood half-life is more than 3 hours. The data of MRI suggest the probe was distributed in liver and spleen, and the MRI signal was reduced with the increase in probe's doses (P < 0.05). The results of Prussian blue staining confirmed the results of MRI. Most of the probe could escape the phagocytosis of mononuclear phagocyte system. Our data provide the pharmacokinetic and distribution of SPIO-shRNA molecular probe in organs. Meanwhile, it suggests the choice of the time and dose of probe for MR imaging of tumor in vivo.
Animals ; Half-Life ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; Mice ; Molecular Probes ; pharmacokinetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; chemistry ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo explore effective pretreated methods for hydrosalpinx before frozen embryo transfer (FET).

METHODSA randomized controlled study was performed on 229 FET cycles of hydrosalpinx patients. They were assigned to two groups by random digit table, Group A (94 cases), Group B (89 cases), and Group C (46 cases). Patients in Group A received transvaginal aspiration of hydrosalpinx combined with auricular point sticking. Those in Group B received transvaginal aspiration of hydrosalpinx group. Those in Group C received no transvaginal aspiration of hydrosalpinx. Pregnancy outcomes of FET, endometrial and subendometrial blood flow distribution on the embryo transfer day were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in the endometrial thickness on FET day, the number of transfer embryos, the number of transferred good quality embryos among the three groups (P > 0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate and the embryo implantation rate were significantly higher in Group A than in Group C (P < 0.05), and the clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B (P < 0.05). The early abortion rate and the transfer cycle cancel rate were significantly lower in Group A than in Group C (P < 0.05). Type A endometrial and subendometrial blood flow distribution was dominant in Group A, which was significantly higher in Group A than the rest two groups (P < 0.05). Type A distribution rate was also significantly higher in Group B than in Group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTransvaginal aspiration of hydrosalpinx combined with auricular point sticking before FET could improve the endometrial receptivity and improve outcomes of IVF.

Embryo Implantation ; Embryo Transfer ; methods ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate

Objective To analyse the causes of perinatal death and explore the preventive measures to reduce the perinatal mortality.Methods The cases with perinatal death in this hospital from January 2005 to December 2006 were reviewed to analyse the causes of death by categorization and sum-up.Results There were 166 cases with perinatal death and the mortality rate was 27.08‰,including 126 cases with fatal death,which accounted for 75.90%.In the analysis of dead causes,the first one was birth defects,which suffered 69 cases,41.57% of all,and mostly were with fetus edema syndrome.The cord factors had been elevated to the second cause,which suffered 51 cases,30.72% of all.Conclusion Improving the consciousness of gestational monitoring and self-care,strengthening the prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling,controlling the perinatal birth defects,monitoring mother and fetus by poly-parameter and stopping the pregnancy in time can reduce perinatal death effectively.

OBJECTIVETo study the preparation of phenols gastric floating tablet.

METHODThe tablets which were prepared using Eudragit IV, HPMC(K4M), MCC101 and Octadecanol as excipients were evaluated by vitro floatation and releasing performance. The pressure of preparationg was also study to select the optimal preparation.

RESULTThe tablets were successfully prepared in which the drug, Eudragit IV, Octadecanol were 31% respectively,and MCC101 was 7%. And 3-4 kg was found to be the eligible pressure.

CONCLUSIONThe study was found to be effective in the process of phenols gastric floating tablet.

Drug Carriers ; Excipients ; chemistry ; Gastrointestinal Agents ; chemistry ; Phenols ; chemistry ; Polymethacrylic Acids ; chemistry ; Tablets ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

This paper is aimed to microscopic identification of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) using an in situ imaging method. In this study, two kinds of Zingiberaceae seeds, Amomi Rotundus Fructus and Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen, were investigated by synchrotron radiation in-line X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (IXPCT) imaging method. The results showed that the microstructures of these Zingiberaceae seeds could be clearly obtained from the virtual slices information in different observing angles. It proves that IXPCT is an effective imaging method, which can provide the imaging information for the microscopic identification of the intact TCMs in situ and non-destructively.
Amomum ; cytology ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Seeds ; cytology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of IFNα combined with mannan peptide in treatment of patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B ( CHB ). Methods Eighty HBeAg-positive CHB patients with HBV DNA quantity ranging from 10 to 10 eopies/mL were enrolled and randomized into the treatment group and the control group ( n = 40 for each ). Patients in treatment group were given daily subcutaneous injection of IFNα-2b 5,000,000 U for 52 weeks, and received mannan peptide 10 mg per intravenous injection or 2. 5 mg per intramuscular injection for a total of 2 to 3 treatment courses (12 weeks for each). The control group received only IFNα-2b treatment. Liver function, serum markers of hepatitis B, HBV DNA quantity and blood tests were performed before the treatment and at 2, 4, 8, 16, 26 and 52-week during the treatment; and the adverse effects were recorded. Results The rates for ALT normalization, negative HBsAg, negative HBeAg, HBeAg seroconversion and negative HBV DNA were 91. 8% , 17. 5% , 52. 5% , 27. 5 % and 47. 5% at 52nd week in the treatment group, while those in the control group were 80. 0% , 12. 5% , 30. 0% , 10. 0 % and 25. 0% , respectively. There were significant differences in HBeAg-negative, HBeAg-seroeonversion and HBV DNA-negative rates between two groups (χ2 = 4. 178, 4.021 and 4.381, P < 0. 05 ) , and these indexes in the treatment group were increased to 57. 5% , 30. 0% and 50. 0 respectively at 52nd week after drug withdraw. White blood cells began to be elevated at 4th week and were restored to the normal levels at 8th week in the treatment group, while the count in the control was lower than the normal value even at 52nd week of the treatment with the average of (3.45±1. 18)×109/L. Conclusion Alpha-interferon combined with mannan peptide therapy is effective for patients with HBeAg-positive CHB, which may restore the declined peripheral WBC counts induced by interferon and improve the compliance.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effects of OMT on TGF-β1-induced CFBs proliferation, and then explore the mechanism.

METHODThe experiment was randomly divided into 6 groups as following: control group (serum free DMEM), model group (20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1), OMT low dose group (1.89 x 10(-4) mol x L(-1) + 20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1), OMT medium dose group (3.78 x 10(-4) mol x L(-1) + 20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1), OMT high dose group (7.56 x 10(-4) mol x L(-1) + 20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1), SB203580 group (p38MAPK blocking agent, 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) + 20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1). Vimentin of CFBs was identified by immunocytochemical methods, α-SMA of myFBs as well. Inhibitory effects of OMT on CFBs proliferation was detected by the MTT assay. Picric acid Sirius red staining was analyzed collagen type I and collagen type III deposition. Western blot was determined the expression of p38MAPK, p-p38MAPK, collagen type I and collagen type III.

RESULTMTT results showed that OMT significantly inhibited CFBs proliferation induced by TGF-β1 (P < 0.01) α-SMA immunocytochemical experiments suggested that OMT could protect against the CFBs proliferation. OMT could significantly decrease the deposition of collagen type I and collagen type III by Western bloting and picric acid Sirius red staining. Western blot results showed that TGF-β1 enhanced p38MAPK phosphorylation, however OMT attenuated the phosphorylation of p38MAPK induced by TGF-β1 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOMT can inhibit the CFBs proliferation induced by TGF-β1, and its mechanism may be involved in inhibiting p38MAPK phosphorylation.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Heart ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents of dried whole plants of Artemisia annua.

METHODThe chemical constituents were isolated by repeated silica gel chromatography, medium pressure column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and comparison of NMR data with those reported in literature.

RESULT15 compounds were isolated and identified to be 5-O-[(E)-Caffeoyl] quinic acid(l), 1,3-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid(2), 4 5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid(3), 3, 5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (4), 3, 4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5), methyl-3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid(6), methyl-3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid(7), 3,6'-O-diferuloylsucrose(8), 5'-β-D-glucopyranosyloxyjasmonic acid(9), Scopoletin(10), scoparone (11), 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-2-hydroxyl-6-methoxyacetophenone (12), chrysosplenol D (13), casticin (14), chrysosplenetin(15).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 2, 6, 8 and 9 are obtained from the Artemisia genus for the first time. Compounds 7 and 15 are obtained from this plant for the first time.

Artemisia annua ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Gel ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plants, Medicinal ; Quinic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Silica Gel

OBJECTIVETo purify caffeic acid tetramer (CAT) with macroporous resin on the basis of its fundamental physicochemical stability research.

METHODThe changes of CAT content were compared by HPLC method before and after the purification process, or while other conditions were altered.

RESULTLK001 was the best one among 7 kinds of macroporous resin in regard of purifying ability. The optimum absorbing technology was the solution concentration at 10 g x L(-1), pH at 4.5, and the flow rate at 3 BV x h(-1). The best eluting technology was 45% ethanol as eluting agent, pH at 5.0, eluting volume at 50 mL after applying super-purified water and 20% ethanol. The yield of product was 3. 6 percent, and the active compound CAT was 58 percent in the product.

CONCLUSIONMacroporous resin LK001 is effective in enriching CAT from the crude extracts, thus this method of purification is advisable.

Absorption ; Boraginaceae ; chemistry ; Caffeic Acids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Light ; Oxygen ; chemistry ; Porosity ; Resins, Plant ; chemistry ; Temperature ; Water ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Danggui Buxue Decoction on the hematopoietic reconstruction of mice transplanted by muscle satellite cells ( MSCs).

METHODSMSCs were procured from newly born male mice of the homologous series. The female Kunming receptor mice irradiated with 8Gy137Cs-gamma ray were randomly divided into six groups, i. e., the blank control group, the transplanted MSC group, four groups intervened by different doses of Danggui Buxue Decoction after transplanted MSC (gastrogavage by one, three, five, and ten times of clinically equivalent dose for seven days, as the DGBX 1 group, the DGBX 2 group, the DGBX 3 group, and the DGBX 4 group). After transplantation changes of splenic colony forming unit spleen (CFU-S), white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and platelet (PLT) in the peripheral blood were observed in pos-transplanted 1-, 2-, and 3-week receptor mice. The 3-week survival rate was calculated. The source of hematopoietic reconstruction was identified using PCR.

RESULTSThe desmin protein was positive in the cultured MSCs. WBC of each transplanted MSC group obviously increased at the 2nd week (P<0.05). Hb obviously increased in the DGBX 2 group, the DGBX 3 group, and the DGBX 4 group (P<0.05). WBC and Hb obviously increased in the DGBX 3 group and the DGBX 4 group when compared with the transplanted MSC group at the 3rd week (P<0.05). The recovery of PLT was significant in the DGBX 4 group (P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group at the 2nd week, CFU-S obviously increased in the DGBX 3 group and the DGBX 4 group (P<0.05). PCR results of Y chromosome in the survived transplant mice indicated that the hematopoietic cells of reconstruction female receptor mice were originated from male donors.

CONCLUSIONThe hematopoiesis of mice transplanted by muscle satellite cells could be constructed after intervention of Danggui Buxue Decoction.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hematopoiesis ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle ; drug effects ; transplantation