Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Coronary Disease ; Humans

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of DZWJY-1 type electronic moxibustion apparatus and traditional moxibustion in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: A total of 76 eligible patients were randomized into an electronic moxibustion apparatus group and a traditional moxibustion group, with 38 cases in each group. The electronic moxibustion apparatus group was intervened by DZWJY-1 type electronic moxibustion apparatus, and the traditional moxibustion group received moxa stick moxibustion for treatment. Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Xuehai (SP 10) and Liangqiu (ST 34) were selected for both groups and the treatment was conducted 3 times a week for a total of 12 times. The visual analog scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) scores were observed before treatment and after 6 and 12 sessions of treatment, respectively. Results: There were 4 dropout cases in the traditional moxibustion group. Therefore, this trial had 72 valid cases, including 38 cases in the electronic moxibustion apparatus group and 34 cases in the traditional moxibustion group, the differences in the baseline data between the two groups were statistically insignificant (P>0.05). After 6 and 12 sessions of treatment, the VAS scores decreased significantly with the increase of treatment sessions in both groups (all P<0.01), and the betweengroup differences were statistically insignificant at the same time points (both P>0.05). The pain intensity was evaluated using the weighted value of VAS score. The markedly effective rate was 47.4％ and the total effective rate was 89.5％ in the electronic moxibustion apparatus group, versus 50.0％ and 94.1％ in the traditional moxibustion group, and the betweengroup differences were statistically insignificant (both P>0.05). After 6 and 12 sessions of treatment, the total score and the component scores including pain, stiffness and difficulty moving in the WOMAC decreased significantly with the increase of treatment sessions in both groups (all P<0.01), and the between-group differences were statistically insignificant (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Electronic moxibustion apparatus and traditional moxibustion both are effective in reducing joint pain and improving joint function in KOA patients, and they are equivalent comparing the clinical efficacy.

AIM: To compare the effect of platelet-rich fibrin(PRF)grafts and conjunctival-limbal autografts in pterygium excision.

METHODS: Totally 62 cases(62 eyes)of primary pterygium were randomly divided into group 1(32 eyes)and group 2(30 eyes). After pterygium excision, conjunctival-limbal autografts was performed in group 1 and PRF grafts was performed in group 2. PRF was prepared by centrifugation and compression of venous blood from patients before the surgery. The follow-up period was 6mo. The surgery time, complications and recurrence rate were evaluated and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: The operation time of group 1 and group 2 were 27.3±4.3min and 22.0±4.0min respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups(t=4.990, P<0.01). Conjunctival granuloma developed only in one eye in group 2 after the surgery, and there was no significant difference between group 1 and group 2(P=0.484). Pterygium recurred in one eye in group 1 and in one eye in group 2. There was also no significant difference in recurrence rate between group 1 and group 2(P=1.000). There was no significant difference in intraocular pressure between group 1 with 14.69±2.44mmHg and group 2 with 14.96±2.93mmHg before the surgery(t=0.399, P=0.691). As well, there was no significant difference in intraocular pressure between group 1 with 14.68±1.65mmHg and group 2 with 15.11±2.12mmHg after the surgery(t=0.888, P=0.378). The dissolution time of PRF membrane in PRF grafts group was 3.5±0.8d.

CONCLUSION: The use of PRF in pterygium surgery is safe, effective, easier and timesaving. It's a promising method for clinical application.

Objective This study is aimed to evaluate the association between the ABCG2 gene rs2231142 variant and gout using meta-analysis. Methods Related studies were identified by searching extensively in Chinese and foreign language databases such as Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CBMdisc databases and so on. The quality of included studies was assessed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The odds ratio (OR) was calculated using a random-effects or fixed-effects model. A Q statistic was used to evaluate the heterogeneity, and Eggerˊs test and funnel plot were used to assess publication bias. Sub-group analyses on ethnicities and sex were also performed. Results A total of 10 studies, including 3 478 gout patients and 10,089 controls from 6 countries or regions, were included and identified for the current metaan-alysis. It was found that the A allele or AA genotype of the ABCG2 rs2231142 polymorphism had an increased risk for gout in the general population [A allele: OR=2.03, 95%CI (1.77, 2.34), P<0.01 and AA genotype: OR=3.01, 95%CI (2.34, 3.88), P<0.01, respectively]. Similar results were found in sub-group analyses of different gender and races. Conclusion Existing evidence indicate that rs2231142 polymorphism (the A allele and AA genotype) is associated with increased risk of gout.

Objective:To establish a method for the determination of sodion in cefalotin sodium by ion chromatography and investi-gate the salt-forming rate of the products. Methods: A TSKgelSuper IC-CR cation exchange column (150 mm × 4. 6 mm, 3. 0 μm) was used. The mobile phase was the mixture of 2. 2 mmol·L-1 methanesulfonic acid and 1 mmol·L-1 18-crown-6-ether with the flow rate of 0. 8 ml·min-1 . The column temperature was 40℃ and the injection volume was 20μl. The detector was an electric conductiv-ity detector. Results:The linear correlation of sodion was good within the range of 3. 0-60. 0μg·ml-1(r=0. 999 9). The average re-covery was 99. 8%(RSD=0. 8%, n=9). The mole number ratio of sodion to cefalotin was within the range of 0. 97-1. 03. Conclu-sion:The method is specific, precise and accurate, and can be used in the determination of sodion in cefalotin sodium. The salt-form-ing rate of the 8 batches of samples is promising.

Objective:To establish an HPLC coupled with post column derivatization method for the determination of gentamicin C components and the related substances based on the latest European Pharmacopeia and compare with the electrochemical method. Methods:A Hydrophilic C18(250 mm ×4.6 mm, 5 μm)column was used with acetonitrile-50 mmol·L-1 sodium hydroxide solution ( pH 2. 6) containing 0. 7% trifluoroacetic acid and 0. 025% pentafluoropropanoic acid (1. 5∶98. 5) as the mobile phase. The temper-ature of post-column reaction was set at 30℃, and the samples were detected by a fluorescence detector withλex of 340nm andλem of 430nm. A pulsed amperometric detector (PAD) was applied in the electrochemical method with golden working electrode in a four-po-tential working mode. Results: According to the results of the two detection methods, the linear range of C1a , C2 , C2a and C1 was 5.82-233.00,6.92-277.00,4.00-160.00and6.23-249.00 μg·ml-1(r >0.9993) , respectively. The limit of detection and quantization were 0. 92-3. 28ng and 1. 37-5. 19ng, respectively. Conclusion:There is no significant difference between the determina-tion results of the two methods.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by risk stratification with American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) classification of coronary lesions. Methods: Data used in this study derived from the I-LOVE-IT 2 trial. I-LOVE-IT 2 trial was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, assessor-blinded, noninferiority study. A total of 1 255 patients in I-LOVE-IT 2 trial with only one lesion and underwent biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stent implantation were included and grouped according to ACC/AHA classification of coronary lesions, namely type A/B1 lesion group (n=184), type B2 lesion group (n=457) and type C lesion group (n=614). The primary endpoint was 48-month patient-oriented composite endpoint (PoCE), a composite of all-cause mortality, all myocardial infarction, stroke, and/or any revascularization. The secondary endpoints were target lesion failure (TLF), components of PoCE, major bleeding (bleeding academic research consortium(BARC) type 3-5) and definite/probable stent thrombosis within 48 months. The incidences of endpoint events were compared in the three groups. The multivariable Cox hazard ratio model was used to analyze the independent predictors of PoCE and TLF at 48 months. Results: Incidences of PoCE at 48 months were significantly higher in patients with type C lesion compared with patients with type A/B1 (24.43%(150/614) vs. 14.13%(26/184), P<0.05) or B2 lesion (24.43%(150/614) vs. 15.97%(73/457), P<0.05). The multivariable Cox hazard ratio model showed that the type C lesion were the independent predictors of 48-month PoCE (HR=1.59, 95%CI 1.21-2.08, P<0.001) and TLF (HR=2.31, 95%CI 1.53-3.49, P<0.001). After multivariable adjustment, the HRs of PoCE for patients with type C lesion versus type A/B1 and type B2 were 1.91 (95%CI 1.25-2.92, P=0.003) and 1.64 (95%CI 1.23-2.20, P<0.001), respectively. Meanwhile, the HRs of TLF for patients with type C lesion versus type A/B1 and type B2 were 2.45 (95%CI 1.29-4.64, P=0.006) and 2.55 (95%CI 1.62-4.02, P=0.001), respectively. Conclusions: The ACC/AHA classification of coronary lesions has good discrimination with long-term outcomes for CAD patients undergoing PCI. The type C lesion is associated with a worse prognosis, enough attention should be paid in these patients during routine clinical management.
Cardiovascular Agents ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Sirolimus ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo develop a rapid and sensitive LC/MS/MS method for the analysis of levodropropizine in plasma and study the pharmacokinetics of levodropropizine in healthy Chinese volunteers.

METHODSLevodropropizine and zolmitriptan (internal standard, IS) were extracted from plasma samples and chromatographed on a C18 column and detected using a tandem mass spectrometer with a TurboIon Spray ionization interface. Quantitation was performed using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of the transitions of the m/z 237 --> m/z 120 for levodropropizine and m/z 288 --> m/z 58 for the IS.

RESULTSThe limit of quantification of the method for levodropropizine was 0.25 microg x L(-1). The assay was linear over the concentration range from 0.25 to 500.0 microg x L(-1) and intra- and inter-day precision over this range were < 11.4% with good accuracy.

CONCLUSIONThe method is shown to be accurate, and suitable for clinical pharmacokinetic study of levodropropizine.

Administration, Oral ; Antitussive Agents ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Area Under Curve ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Humans ; Male ; Propylene Glycols ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effect of flavonoids from Glycyrrhiza uralensis on thioacetamide-induced chonic hepatic fibrosis in rats and the effect on the protein expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and Caspase-3 in livers.

METHODMale Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into totally seven groups: the normal control group, the model group, LF groups s (400, 200, 100, 50 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1)) and the silymarin positive control group (30 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1)). The hepatic fibrosis model was induced in the rats through intraperitoneal injection with 3% thioacetamide (TAA) at a dose of 150 mg · kg(-1) body weight twice a week for 12 weeks. During the course, the control group and the model group were orally administered with saline (1 mL · kg(-1) · d(-1)). After the modeling and drug intervention, the pathologic changes and fibrosis in liver tissues were observed by HE staining and Masson's Trichrome staining. The serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and liver hydroxyproline (HYP) contents were assayed by biochemical process. The serum hyaluronic acid (HA) was assessed by radioimmunoassay. In addition, the protein expressions of liver TGF-β1 and Caspase-3 were examined by immunohistochemical method. The mRNA expression of TGF-β1 in hepatic tissues was examined by quantitative Real-time PCR analysis.

RESULTCompared with the model group, flavonoids can protect the integrity of the structure of liver tissues, significantly reduce the hepatic cell degeneration and necrosis and the proliferation of fibrous tissues, notably reduce the serum AST, ALT, ALP and HA and HYP in hepatic tissues and down-regulate the protein expressions of liver TGF-β1 and Caspase-3 and the mRNA expression of TGF-β1 in hepatic tissues.

CONCLUSIONThe licorice flavonoids can resist the thioacetamide-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. Its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the protein expressions of TGF-β1 and Caspase-3.

Animals ; Caspase 3 ; analysis ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thioacetamide ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; analysis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo isolate and purify components from polysaccharides of purple sweet potato (PPSP) and to test their anti-tumor activity.

METHODSDEAE-Cellulose and CM-Cellulose exchange chromatography were applied to separate components of PPSP. The anti-tumor activities of each component were measured by MTT assay on Hela and HepG(2) cells and their monosaccharide composition were analyzed by TLC chromatography, followed by infrared spectroscopy studies.

RESULTSThrough weak anion exchange chromatography and gradient elution by sodium chloride solution, four components were separated and named as PPSP, PPSPII, PPSPIII and PPSPIV, respectively. MTT tests showed that PPSP II and PPSPIII inhibited Hela and HepG2 tumor cells in a certain extent. The structural analysis revealed that PPSPI was mainly composed of glucose and galactose, PPSP II was composed of glucose and had a typical absorption peak of β-D-glucose chitosan pyranose, PPSP III was a glycoprotein showing a protein absorption peak.

CONCLUSIONFour components were separated from PPSP successfully, among which PPSP II and PPSP III shows anti-tumor activities on Hela and HepG(2) cells in vitro.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; HeLa Cells ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Ipomoea batatas ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology