OBJECTIVETo establish a method for rapid identification of micro-constituents in monoammonium glycyrrhizinate by high-pressure solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

METHODHPLC preparative chromatograph was adopted for determining the optimal method for high-pressure solid phase extraction under optimal conditions. 5C18-MS-II column (20.0 mm x 20.0 mm) was used as the extraction column, with 35% acetonitrile-acetic acid solution (pH 2. 20) as eluent at the speed of 16 mL x min(-1). The sample size was 0.5 mL, and the extraction cycle was 4.5 min. Then, extract liquid was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) after being concentrated by 100 times.

RESULTUnder the optimal condition of high-pressure solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, 10 components were rapidly identified from monoammonium glycyrrhizinate raw materials. Among them, the chemical structures of six micro-constituents were identified as 3-O-[beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-30-0-beta-D-apiopyranosylglycyrrhetic/3-O- [P-D-glucuronopyranosyl-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-30-O-beta-D-arabinopyranosylglycyrrhetic, glycyrrhizic saponin F3, 22-hydroxyglycyrrhizin/18alpha-glycyrrhizic saponin G2, 3-O-[beta-D-rhamnopyranosyl]-24-hydroxyglycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizic saponin J2, and glycyrrhizic saponin B2 by MS(n) spectra analysis and reference to literatures. Four main chemical components were identified as glycyrrhizic saponin G2, 18beta-glycyrrhizic acid, uralglycyrrhizic saponin B and 18alpha-glycyrrhizic acid by liquid chromatography, MS(n) and ultraviolet spectra information and comparison with reference substances.

CONCLUSIONThe method can be used to identify chemical constituents in monoammonium glycyrrhizinate quickly and effectively, without any reference substance, which provides basis for quality control and safe application of monoammonium glycyrrhizinate-related products.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Molecular Structure ; Solid Phase Extraction ; methods

Dextrocardia is a rare anomaly where the heart is located on the right side of the chest instead of the normal left side. Ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) with such an inverted anatomy may be challenging for the manipulation of the catheters. Here we report a case of dextrocardia who underwent ablation for persistent AF guided by image integration system.
Atrial Fibrillation ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Dextrocardia ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Dextrocardia is a rare anomaly where the heart is located on the right side of the chest instead of the normal left side.Ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) with such an inverted anatomy may be challenging for the manipulation of the catheters.Here we report a case of dextrocardia who underwent ablation for persistent AF guided by image integration system.

OBJECTIVETo fabricate a new composite scaffold material as an implant for sustained delivery of rifampicin and evaluate its performance of sustained drug release and biocompatibility.

METHODSThe composite scaffold material was prepared by loading poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres that encapsulated rifampicin in a biphasic calcium composite material with a negative surface charge. The in vitro drug release characteristics of the microspheres and the composite scaffold material were evaluated; the in vivo drug release profile of the composite scaffold material implanted in a rat muscle pouch was evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography. The biochemical parameters of the serum and liver histopathologies of the rats receiving the transplantation were observed to assess the biocompatibility of the composite scaffold material.

RESULTSThe encapsulation efficiency and drug loading efficiency of microspheres were (56.05±5.33)% and (29.80±2.88)%, respectively. The cumulative drug release rate of the microspheres in vitro was (94.19±5.4)% at 28 days, as compared with the rate of (82.23±6.28)% of composite scaffold material. The drug-loaded composite scaffold material showed a good performance of in vivo drug release in rats, and the local drug concentration still reached 16.18±0.35 µg/g at 28 days after implantation. Implantation of the composite scaffold material resulted in transient and reversible liver injury, which was fully reparred at 28 days after the implantation.

CONCLUSIONThe composite scaffold material possesses a good sustained drug release capacity and a good biocompatibility, and can serve as an alternative approach to conventional antituberculous chemotherapy.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Liberation ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Microspheres ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rifampin ; administration & dosage

BACKGROUNDThe optimal endpoint for catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) remains ambiguous. This study investigated the impact of AF termination as a procedural endpoint and the termination mode on long-term clinical outcome.

METHODSTwo hundred and ninety-three patients who underwent stepwise ablation for persistent AF were categorized into the AF termination by ablation group and into the electrical cardioversion (CV) group. Subgroups were also analyzed based on different termination modes. Follow-up assessment included early recurrence and sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance.

RESULTSDuring initial ablation, 33 patients (11.3%) were directly converted to SR, 166 patients (56.7%) were converted to atrial tachycardia (AT) that subsequently restored SR with further ablation in 98 patients (33.4%), and a total of 162 patients (55.3%) underwent cardioversion due to persistent atrial arrhythmias. Comparison between termination by ablation and termination by cardioversion in patients exhibiting AF or AT revealed that no significant difference was observed in early recurrence (38.2% vs. 43.8%, P = 0.328) and SR maintenance (67.2% vs. 59.8%, P = 0.198) during the (23 ± 7) months follow-up. Even after repeat ablation, the SR maintenance continued to exhibit no statistical difference in above two groups (72.5% vs. 70.4%, P = 0.686). Further analysis of subgroups, however, demonstrated that patients with AF terminated directly to SR experienced better clinical outcomes than other subgroups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, atrial arrhythmias present during ablation have been implicated in prediction of recurrence mode: AF or AT (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTermination as a procedural endpoint is not associated with favorable long-term SR maintenance in persistent AF. AF methods that convert arrhythmia directly to SR have, however, been linked with improved clinical outcomes, although conversions to AT may not be correlated. Atrial arrhythmias observed during the ablation may be used to predict the recurrence mode.

Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the effect and indications of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring for frontal lobe contusion patients.

METHODSDuring January 2005-December 2008, 34 cases of frontal lobe contusion received ICP monitoring in our department (monitoring group). Different treatment protocols were adopted according to the results of ICP. Meanwhile 46 cases of same type of head-injured patients who did not undergo ICP monitoring served as control group.

RESULTSWe found that ICP elevated dramatically within 24 hours after head injury if the contusions were located in frontal longitudinal dehiscence, bilateral undersurface of frontal lobe or dispersed in bilateral lobe. After half a year follow-up and on the basis of Glasgow Coma Scale assessment, the monitoring group showed better outcome than the control group with good recovery in 24 cases (70.6%) , moderate disability in 7 cases (20.6%), severe disability in 2 (5.88%) and death in 1 (2.94%). The outcome of control group displayed good condition in 25 cases (54.3%), moderate disabilities in 8 (17.4%), severe disability in 7 (15.2%), and death in 6 (13.0%).

CONCLUSIONSFrontal lobe contusions are vulnerable and complex head injuries, especially when the contusions are located in frontal longitudinal dehiscence, bilateral undersurface of frontal lobe or diffused in bilateral lobes. These patients should undergo ICP monitoring regardless of their consciousness status. If ICP elevates over 25 mm Hg, the craniotomy is mandatory and will markedly reduce the mortality and disability of these patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Contusions ; physiopathology ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; physiopathology ; Female ; Frontal Lobe ; injuries ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Intracranial Pressure ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND: In July 2007, three neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Chosun University Hospital expired due to Escherichia coli sepsis. An E. coli outbreak was suspected. METHODS: To investigate the outbreak, environmental cultures were taken from NICU. We performed repetitive extragenic palindromic (rep)-PCR to compare genotypes of the three isolates from the cases and one environmental strain of E. coli. A case-control study was done in order to identify risk factors for the infection. RESULTS: In July 2007, the attack rate of E. coli was 11.1%, which was higher than the basal rate. All the three E. coli isolates from the cases presented the same antimicrobial susceptibility pattern whereas other E. coli isolated from non-outbreak period presented different patterns. Among environmental cultures, only one specimen collected from the surface of a bathtub for neonates was culture positive for E. coli. Three strains of the cases and one environmental strain of E. coli showed the same rep-PCR pattern, while control strains showed different patterns. No statistically significant difference in risk factors was found between the case and control groups in the case-control study. CONCLUSION: The result of rep-PCR assay showed that the outbreak had originated from a single clone of E. coli. But we could not identify risk factors for the infection. The attack rate of E. coli in NICU returned to the basal level after implement of the infection control measures such as disinfection of NICU environment and equipments, thorough hand washing, and education of health care workers.
Case-Control Studies ; Clone Cells ; Delivery of Health Care ; Disease Outbreaks ; Disinfection ; Escherichia ; Escherichia coli ; Escherichia coli Infections ; Genotype ; Hand Disinfection ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infection Control ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis ; Sprains and Strains

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of domestic palonosetron hydrochlo-ride injection on its prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting.Methods A multi-centered,ran-domized,double-blinded and placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out.A total of 281 patients were enrolled,with 141 of patients in study group and 140 of patients in control group respectively. 0.075 mg of intravenous palonosetron hydrochloride injection was delivered in the study group before anesthesia induction.The drug was substituted by 1.5 ml of NS in the control group.All anesthesia inductions were conducted by the intravenous injection of propofol,fentanyl and rocuronium,and were maintained with sevoflurane and fentanyl.Complete remission rate and treatment failure cut-off time of vomiting were evaluated at 0-6 h,6-72 h,0-72 h postoperatively.Results In the study group CR% 0-6 h,6-72 h and 0-72 h were 107 (75.89%),104 (73.76%)and 92 (65.25%),the control group was 81 (57.86%),70 (50%)and 62 (42.86%),CR% of the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P <0.01).Insignificant statistical difference but significant clin-ical difference exists in their treatment failure cut-off time,386.5 min and 300.0 min,respectively be-tween the groups.Conclusion Domestic palonosetron hydrochloride injection is safe and effective in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Background The optimal endpoint for catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) remains ambiguous.This study investigated the impact of AF termination as a procedural endpoint and the termination mode on long-term clinical outcome.Methods Two hundred and ninety-three patients who underwent stepwise ablation for persistent AF were categorized into the AF termination by ablation group and into the electrical cardioversion (CV) group.Subgroups were also analyzed based on different termination modes.Follow-up assessment included early recurrence and sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance.Results During initial ablation,33 patients (11.3％) were directly converted to SR,166 patients (56.7％) were converted to atrial tachycardia (AT) that subsequently restored SR with further ablation in 98 patients (33.4％),and a total of 162 patients (55.3％) underwent cardioversion due to persistent atrial arrhythmias.Comparison between termination by ablation and termination by cardioversion in patients exhibiting AF or AT revealed that no significant difference was observed in early recurrence (38.2％ vs.43.8％,P=0.328) and SR maintenance (67.2％ vs.59.8％,P=0.198) during the (23±7) months follow-up.Even after repeat ablation,the SR maintenance continued to exhibit no statistical difference in above two groups (72.5％ vs.70.4％,P=0.686).Further analysis of subgroups,however,demonstrated that patients with AF terminated directly to SR experienced better clinical outcomes than other subgroups (P ＜0.05).Furthermore,atrial arrhythmias present during ablation have been implicated in prediction of recurrence mode:AF or AT (P ＜0.05).Conclusions Termination as a procedural endpoint is not associated with favorable long-term SR maintenance in persistent AF.AF methods that convert arrhythmia directly to SR have,however,been linked with improved clinical outcomes,although conversions to AT may not be correlated.Atrial arrhythmias observed during the ablation may be used to predict the recurrence mode.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the effects of esomeprazole and rebamipide combination therapy on symptomatic improvement in patients with reflux esophagitis. METHODS: A total of 501 patients with reflux esophagitis were randomized into one of the following two treatment regimens: 40 mg esomeprazole plus 300 mg rebamipide daily (combination therapy group) or 40 mg esomeprazole daily (monotherapy group). We used a symptom questionnaire that evaluated heartburn, acid regurgitation, and four upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The primary efficacy end point was the mean decrease in the total symptom score. RESULTS: The mean decreases in the total symptom score at 4 weeks were estimated to be −18.1±13.8 in the combination therapy group and −15.1±11.9 in the monotherapy group (p=0.011). Changes in reflux symptoms from baseline after 4 weeks of treatment were −8.4±6.6 in the combination therapy group and −6.8±5.9 in the monotherapy group (p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Over a 4-week treatment course, esomeprazole and rebamipide combination therapy was more effective in decreasing the symptoms of reflux esophagitis than esomeprazole monotherapy.
Esomeprazole* ; Esophagitis, Peptic* ; Heartburn ; Humans