Objective To prepare dl-tetrahydropalmatine (dl-THP) ethosomes (ETS) and elucidate their transdermal absorption properties. Methods Dl-tetrahydropalmatine ethosomes (dl-THP ETS) were prepared by ethanol injection combined with pH-gradient active drug-loading method. Their physicochemical properties including elasticity, vesicle size, morphology and entrapment efficiency were characterized. Franz diffusion cells were used to investigate the ex vivo skin permeation characteristics of the formulation with liposomes (LPS) and tinctures being used as reference preparations. Results According to a preferred formulation of dl-THP ETS [dl-THP 100 mg, vitamin E 1.3 mg, soybean lecithin 1 200 mg, cholesterol 120 mg, absolute ethanol 9 mL and citrate buffered saline (pH 3.0) 21 mL, 0.1 mol/L NaOH solution suitable quantity (to adjust the pH value to 5.5) ], the obtained dl-THP ETS had an elasticity index of (20.1 ± 1.1) mL, an average size of (85.8 ± 0.9) nm with a polydispersity index of (0.082 ± 0.003) and an entrapment efficiency of (81.7 ± 3.2)%. The cumulative permeated drug quantity per unit area (Qn) of dl-THP ETS in 24 h was (2 306.4 ± 592.3) μg/cm2 with no significant difference compared with the Qn of the LPS [(2 434.2 ± 564.4) μg/cm2] (P > 0.05) and about 4 times of that of the tincture [(633.1 ± 218.0) μg/cm2] (P < 0.05). And the averages of RSD of the Qn at each time point were (28.37 ± 10.9)% and (62.83 ± 44.1)% for the ETS and LPS, respectively, indicating that the Qn fluctuation among samples of the ETS was smaller than that of the LPS (P < 0.05). Average correlation coefficients of (0.968 ± 0.033) and (0.882 ± 0.078) (P < 0.05) were obtained for the ETS and LPS respectively when their 24 h permeation curves were fitted to linear relationship, indicating the permeation of the former was closer to zero-order kinetics than that of the latter. Conclusion The dl-THP ETS have a high elasticity, a suitable size, a high entrapment efficiency, and enhanced and stable percutaneous absorption in line with zero-order kinetics.

Objective To analyze the surveillance results and grasp the situation of Keshan disease in Wudalianchi city Heilongjiang province.Methods In 2009,Kaifa village was selected as the surveillance point in Wudalianchi city,total resident population were monitored by routine clinical examination and 12-lead electrocardiogram(ECG) tracing.Suspected cases with Keshan disease were taken chest X-ray,and Keshan disease was diagnosed based on Keshan Disease Diagnostic Criteria (WS/T 210-2011).Results A total of 795 people were investigated,including 397 males and 398 females.Eighteen people were found to be the patients with Keshan disease,of which 13 cases were latent Keshan patients,5 cases were chronic Keshan patients.The overall detection rate was 2.27％,aged 24 to 83 years old.There was no acute type and subacute type of Keshan disease in the surveillance point.Twenty nine cases of abnormal ECG were detected,the detection rate was 3.65％ (29/795),of which the 18 patients with Keshan disease were all had abnormal ECGs,mainly taken the form of ST-T changes and completely right bundle branch blocked.Six cases of male patients with Keshan disease were detected,the detection rate was 1.52％ (6/397); 12 cases of female patients with Keshan disease were detected,the detection rate was 3.01％ (12/398).Conclusions There is still potential and chronic Keshan disease cases in Wudalianchi city.We must keep on the monitoring on Keshan disease,master the dynamical changes of the disease conditions,and carry out the targeted prevention and control of Keshan disease.

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of 2 available periodontal systems for local delivery of antibiotics.

METHODS26 teeth with moderate to severe periodontitis (PD > or = 4 mm) from 11 patients were selected. The teeth were randomly divided into test group and control group. Periocline (2% minocycline hydrochoride ointment) was applied to the teeth in the test group, while Yakang (local metronidazole) was applied in the control group. The data including clinical indices and microbiological parameters was collected before and on the 7th, 14th day after the therapy.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the mean of each clinical indices and microbiological parameters between the two groups was not different (P > 0.05). But both groups demonstrated significant differences with control after treatment (P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences between the two test groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth Periocline and Yakang were effective and secure local delivery drug for treating periodontitis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Metronidazole ; therapeutic use ; Minocycline ; therapeutic use ; Ointments ; therapeutic use ; Periodontitis ; drug therapy

BACKGROUNDInvasive fungal infections have constituted an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. In this study, a surveillance project was conducted in three different intensive care units of two large tertiary hospitals in China.

METHODSA one-year surveillance project was conducted in two tertiary hospitals which located in northern China and southwest China respectively. Air, surfaces and tap water were sampled twice a month in a central intensive care unit, a bone marrow transplant unit, a neurosurgery intensive care unit and a live transplant department. Environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature and events taking place, for example the present of the visitors, healthcare staff and cleaning crew were also recorded at the time of sampling.

RESULTSThe air fungal load was 91.94 cfu/m(3) and 71.02 cfu/m(3) in the southwest China hospital and the northern China hospital respectively. The five most prevalent fungi collected from air and surfaces were Penicillium spp., Cladospcrium spp., Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp. and Saccharomyces spp. in the southwest China hospital, meanwhile Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Aspergillus spp., Alternaria spp. and Cladospcrium spp. in the northern China hospital. The least contaminated department was intensive care units, and the heaviest contaminated department was neurosurgery intensive care unit. Seventy-three percent of all surfaces examined in the northern China hospital and eighty-six percent in the southwest China hospital yielded fungi. Fifty-four percent of water samples from the northern China hospital and forty-nine percent from the southwest China hospital yielded fungi.

CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggested that the fungus exist in the environment of the hospital including air, surface and water. Air and surface fungal load fluctuated over the year. Air fungal load was lower in winter and higher in summer and autumn, but seldom exceeded acceptable level. The higher values were created during May to August in the northern China hospital and May to June and September to October in the southwest China hospital. A correlation between air fungal load and humidity, as well as personnel was observed.

Air Microbiology ; China ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Fungi ; isolation & purification ; Hospitals ; Intensive Care Units ; Water Microbiology

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the interference effect of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) on targets of Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) signal transduction pathway activated by EB virus encoded latent membrane protein 1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines.

METHODSSurvival rate of cells was determined by MTT assay. AP-1 and CyclinD1 activation were analyzed by promoter luciferase reporter system. Nuclear translocation of JNK was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence. Protein expression and phosphorylation were observed by Western blot.

RESULTSEGCG inhibited the survival of CNE1 and CNE-LMP1 cells and the activity of AP-1 caused by LMP1 in CNE-LMP1 cells. EGCG also inhibited the nuclear translocation of JNK and the phosphorylation of c-Jun. It also inhibited cyclinD1 promoter activity and cyclinD1 expression.

CONCLUSIONEGCG inhibits AP-1, JNK, c-Jun and cyclinD1 which are key targets on AP-1 signal transduction pathway. The results may explain the molecular mechanism of action of EGCG against nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Catechin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; metabolism ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Protein Transport ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathogenicity of matrix metalloproteinase 8, 9 (MMP-8, MMP-9) regulations of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) by challenge of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) with different fimA genotypes.

METHODSThe studies mainly adopt the isopycnic sedimentation separation to separate the PMNs from human peripheral blood. P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 (type I), WCSP 115 (type II), WCSP 1.5 (type III), W83 (type IV), WCSP 559 (type IV) were assessed for their inductions of MMP-8, MMP-9 expression in PMNs. MMP-8, MMP-9 protein levels in culture supernatant were determined by ELISA at different time intervals (5 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h) following continuous co-culture of bacteria with PMNs.

RESULTSMMP-8 and MMP-9 protein levels produced by PMNs co-culture with the I fimA-IV fimA P. gingivalis were significantly stronger than unsimulated group. The velocity and quantity of MMP-8 produced by PMNs co-culture with the II fimA P. gingivalis and IV fimA P. gingivalis were more than III fimA, IVfimA P. gingivalis. The MMP-9 protein levels produced by PMNs co-culture with the I fimA, II fimA, IV fimA P. gingivalis was significantly stronger than III fimA and IV fimA P. gingivalis.

CONCLUSIONII fimA and IV fimA P. gingivalis have stronger pathogenicity relatively, which indicate that fimA genotype is associated with pathogenesis of P. gingivalis.

Coculture Techniques ; Fimbriae Proteins ; Genotype ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 ; Neutrophils ; Porphyromonas gingivalis

OBJECTIVEThe expression of heterogenic virulence properties depends on its clonal diversity. The aim of the study was to investigate the mechanism of interleukin-8 (IL-8) regulations of oral epithelial cells by challenge of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) with different fimA genotypes, discuss the relation between fimA genotype and its pathogenicity.

METHODSP. gingivalis ATCC 33277 (type I), W83 (type IV), 47A-1 (type IV) were assessed for their inductions of IL-8 expression in human oral epithelial cells (KB cell line, ATCC CCL-17). KB cells without stimulation of P. gingivalis were used as control group. IL-8 mRNA expression was de termined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at different time intervals (1, 3, 6, 24 h) following continuous co culture of bacteria with KB cell line, and IL-8 protein levels in culture supernatant was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSIL-8 mRNA levels were up-regulated and reached its high peak at 1 h following both genotypes infection, then decreased to base level till 24 h. Attenuation of IL-8 protein levels was down-regulated when KB cell co-cultured with both genotypes for 3 h till 24 h, and type IV was lower than type I. IL-8 and IL-6 mRNA expression were not consistent with their protein levels, which indicated post-transcriptional regulations.

CONCLUSIONfimA genotypes of P. gingivalis are related with the effect of IL-8 inductions, which indicates fimA genotype is associated with pathogenesis of P. gingivalis.

Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Epithelial Cells ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Porphyromonas gingivalis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of curcumin derivatives B06 on myocardium from type 2 diabetic rats.

METHODSThirty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, normal control group (NC group), high fat group (HF group), high fat treatment group (FT group), diabetes mellitus group (DM group) and diabetes treatment group (DT group) (n = 7). The late four groups were fed with high fat food, after four weeks of high fat feeding, the rats from DM group and DT group were injected with low dosage of streptozocin intraperitoneally to induce diabetes mellitus, FT group and DT group were gavaged with curcumin derivatives B06 at the dosage of 0.2 mg/kg x d. The blood glucose and lipid were detected biochemically, blood insulin was assayed by ELISA and the insulin resistance index was calculated, the morphology of myocardium was observed by light and transmission electron microscopy, the protein expression of AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKalpha) and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (p-AMPKalpha) in myocardium were tested by Western blot.

RESULTSThe level of blood glucose, lipid, insulin and the insulin resistance index were increased in HF group and DM group, but they were decreased after the treatment with B06. The expression of AMPKalpha and p-AMPKalpha were decreased, but they became increased after the treatment of B06. There were increased collagen fibers in interstitium and expansion of mitochondria in cytoplasm of myocardium from DM group, but they were ameliorated in B06 treatment group.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that B06 may relieve the damage of myocardium from type 2 diabetic rats and the increased expression of AMPKalpha and p-AMPKalpha may be involved in it.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; physiopathology ; Heart ; drug effects ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Streptozocin

BACKGROUNDThe relationship between monosymptomatic resting tremor (mRT) and Parkinson's disease (PD) remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to assess the function of presynaptic dopaminergic neurons in patients with mRT by dopamine transporter positron emission tomography (DAT-PET) and to evaluate the utility of clinical features or electrophysiological studies in differential diagnosis.

METHODSThirty-three consecutive patients with mRT were enrolled prospectively. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and electromyography were tested before DAT-PET. Striatal asymmetry index (SAI) was calculated, and a normal DAT-PET was defined as a SAI of <15%. Scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficits (SWEDDs) were diagnosed in patients with a subsequent normal DAT-PET and structural magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTSTwenty-eight mRT patients with a significant reduction in uptake of DAT binding in the striatum were diagnosed with PD, while the remained 5 with a normal DAT-PET scan were SWEDDs. As for UPRDS, the dressing and hygiene score, walking in motor experiences of daily living (Part II) and motor examination (Part III) were significant different between two groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Bilateral tremor was more frequent in the SWEDDs group (P < 0.05). The frequency of resting tremor and the amplitude of postural tremor tend to be higher in the SWEDDs group (P = 0.08 and P = 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSmRT is heterogeneous in presynaptic nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration, which can be determined by DAT-PET brain imaging. Clinical and electrophysiological features may provide clues to distinguish PD from SWEDDs.

Adult ; Aged ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease ; diagnosis ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; methods ; Prospective Studies ; Tremor ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of fluorescent 2-deoxyglucose analog, 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1, 3-diaxol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxyglucose (2-NBDG), that could be taken up by breast cancer cells highly expressing glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1). The purpose of this study was to clarify if a fluorescent 2-deoxyglucose analog, 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1, 3-diaxol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxyglucose (2-NBDG), can be taken up by breast cancer cells highly expressing glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1), and to assess whether it can be used as a targeting imaging agent.

METHODSThe expressions of GLUT-1 mRNA and protein in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The difference of GLUT-1 protein expression between breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and MCF-7 cells was compared by Western blot. Secondly, MDA-MB-231 cells which were grown in 6-well plates were incubated with 2-NBDG, and the result of 2-NBDG uptake was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The difference of 2-NBDG absorption in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells was compared by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe results of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry confirmed that MDA-MB-231 cells highly expressed GLUT-1. Furthermore, Western blot revealed that GLUT-1 expression of MDA-MB-231 cells (0.946 ± 0.007) was higher than that in the MCF-7 cells (0.833 ± 0.010). Fluorescence microscopic and flow cytometric analysis showed that 2-NBDG was uptaken rapidly by MDA-MB-231 cells. Addition of 50 mmol/L D-glucose to the media with 2-NBDG reduced its uptake by 46.0%. Moreover, flow cytometry indicated that the fluorescence intensity of MDA-MB-231 cells (25.10 ± 0.57) was higher than that of MCF-7 cells (10.12 ± 0.62) when incubated with 2-NBDG for 20 minutes.

CONCLUSIONThe preliminary data clearly demonstrate that 2-NBDG is taken up and accumulated in breast cancer cells that highly express GLUT-1, and may be used as an optical probe for glucose uptake in hypermetabolic malignant cells.

4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacokinetics ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Deoxyglucose ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Glucose Transporter Type 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction