In this study, solvent evaporation method was used to preparing baicalin ethylcellulose microspheres for intranasal administration. The prepared microspheres were round with certain rough surface. The average drug loading and entrapment efficiency was (33. 31 ± 0. 045)% , (63. 34 ± 0. 11)% , respectively. As the characteristic crystalline peaks of baicalin were observed in the microspheres sample, the result of X-ray diffractometric analysis indicated that the baicalin was present in crystalline form after its entrapment in ethylcellulose matrix. By investigating the thermogram of microspheres sample, it was found that endothermic peak of baicalin was shifted from 211. 8 °C to 244. 2 °C and associated with the first broad endothermic peak of ethylcellulose. This could confirm that baicalin was loaded into ethylcellulose, nor simply physical mixture. The powder flowability test exhibited that the specific energy of microspheres was 3. 57 mJ . g-1 and the pressure drop was 2. 22 mBar when air kept the speed of 2 mm . s-1 through the powder bed with the force was 15 kPa. The consequence of the baicalin in vitro released from microspheres showed that the pure baicalin sample displayed faster (90%) release than microspheres sample (75%) in 7 h. Fitting model for release curve before 7 h, the results showed that the pure baicalin sample and the microsphere sample accorded with first order model (R2 = 0. 990 4) and Riger-Peppas model(R2 = 0. 961 2), respectively. Ex vivo rabbit nasal mucosa permeability experiment revealed that the value of cumulative release rate per unit area of the microsphere sample was 1. 56 times that of the pure baicalin sample. This provided the foundation for the in vivo pharmacokinetic study.
Administration, Intranasal ; Air Pressure ; Animals ; Cellulose ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Flavonoids ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Microspheres ; Mucous Membrane ; metabolism ; Particle Size ; Powders ; Rabbits ; Solvents ; X-Ray Diffraction

OBJECTIVETo explore effects of 650 nm laser and moxibustion pretreatment on visceral traction pain (VTP) and its mechanism.

METHODSForty male SD rats were randomly devided into a sham operation group (group A), a VTP group (group B), a 650 nm laser pretreatment group (group C), a moxibustion pretreatment group (group D). Rats in group A and group B were not treated except sham operation or VTP model. In group C and D, the VTP models were produced immediate after 650 nm laser irradiation or moxibustion at "Zusanli" (ST 36), respectively. The changes of pain score and systolic pressure were investigated and the activity of AChE, the content of SP and leu-enkephaline (LEK), and the positive index of c-Fos protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected by biochemistry, radio-immunity method and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with group A, the pain score, systolic pressure, the activity of AChE, the content of SP, and the positive index of c-Fos protein and GFAP of group B increased significantly (all P < 0.05); compared with group B, the pain score, AChE activity, the content of SP and the positive index of c-Fos protein and GFAP of both group C and group D decreased significantly (all P < 0.05); compared with group B, the content of LEK increased and systolic pressure decreased significantly in group C (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth 650 nm laser and moxibustion pretreatment can inhibit VTP and the mechanism may be related to reducing the activity of AChE and the content of SP, and increasing the activity of LEK and decreasing the expression of c-Fos protein and GFAP.

Animals ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Enteric Nervous System ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Pain ; physiopathology ; Pain Management ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDProbucol is known to reduce the development of atherosclerotic lesions, but its impact on vascular remodeling associated with de novo atherosclerosis is incompletely understood. We therefore examined the effect of probucol on vascular remodeling in a rabbit model of established atherosclerosis.

METHODSAortic atherosclerosis was induced by a combination of endothelial injury and 10 weeks' atherogenic diet. Animals were then randomized to receive the foregoing diet without or with 1% (wt/wt) probucol for 16 weeks. At the end of week 26, in vivo intravascular ultrasound, pathological, immunohistochemical and gene expression studies were performed.

RESULTSProbucol significantly decreased vessel cross-sectional area, plaque area and plaque burden without effect on lumen area. More negative remodeling and less positive remodeling occurred in the abdominal aortas of probucol group than the control group (56% vs. 21%, 18% vs. 54%, respectively, both P < 0.01). In addition, the probucol group showed a smaller mean remodeling index relative to the control group (0.93 ± 0.13 vs. 1.05 ± 0.16, P < 0.01). Furthermore, probucol treatment decreased macrophage infiltration, inhibited apoptosis of cells within plaques, and reduced the production of matrix metalloproteinases-2, -9, cathepsin K and cathepsin S (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggest that probucol may attenuate the enlargement of atherosclerotic vessel walls and be associated with a negative remodeling pattern without affecting the lumen size. This effect may involve inhibition of extracellular matrix degradation and prevention of apoptosis in atherosclerotic plaques.

Animals ; Anticholesteremic Agents ; pharmacology ; Aorta ; pathology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lipids ; blood ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Probucol ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; methods

An etiology study on HFMD in Qingdao region during 2008-2009 was conducted. The virus RNA were isolated from throat swabs of HFMD,the EV, EV71 and CVA16 were detected by multiplex realtime RT-PCR. For those specimens with EV positive and both EV71 and CVA16 negative,a reverese transcription-seminested polymerase chain reaction (RT-snPCR) was perfomed to amplify part sequence of the VP1 gene for sabsequent analysis to identify the serotype. The results indicated that EV71 and CVA16 were the major pathogens of HFMD in Qingdao during 2008-2009. The proportion of EV71 was greater than CVA16 in either mild or serious HFMD cases. Sequence analysis showed that 5 non-EV71 and non-CVA16 serotypes (8 specimens) were obtained in 2008 including Coxsackievirus A5, A6, A10, A12 and Echovirus 9, which were well distributed. Three serotypes(13 specimens) were obtained in 2009 including Coxsackievirus A9, A12 and B2, of which CVA12 was of a big proportion (11/13). CVA12 became a new relatively major pathogen of HFMD in Qingdao during 2009.
China ; epidemiology ; Enterovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Serotyping

Objective To study the molecular epidemiology of human enterovirus 71(EV71)isolated from patients with hand-foot-mouth disease(HFMD) in Qingdao region between 2007 and 2009.Methods Throat swabs of HFMD were detected for total enterovirus(EV),EV71and CA16 by fluorescence reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The VP1 region was amplified from positive EV71 specimens and 51 nucleotide sequences of VP1 gene were successfully sequenced.EV71 genotypes were characterized by phylogenetic analysis.Results 51Qingdao EV71 strains identified between 2007 and 2009 belonged to C4a cluster of subgenotype C4and 5.3%nucleotide divergence and 1.7%amino acid divergence were found among them.The strains in 2008 and 2009 were respectively divided into several lineages on phylogenetic flees but there was a main lineage(namely prominent strain)every year.The Qingdao prominent strains identified in 2008had high identities with the Linyi prominent strains in 2007.The Qingdao prominent strains in 2009and the secondary prominent strains in 2008 had high identities with the Fuyang prominent strains in 2008.Two Qingdao strains in 2007 had high identities with the Linyi popular strains in 2007.Conclusion Data showed that several EV71 transmission chains were co-circulating in Qingdao between 2008 and 2009.The main transmission chain in 2008 became the minor one but the minor transmission chain in 2008 was transferred into the main transmission chain in 2009.

Objective To establish and evaluate criteria applied to review of complete blood counts (CBC)and differential results from automated hematology analyzers.Methods Temporary criteria were established by using alarm system of XE-2100 automated hematology analyzer and by consulting the 41 suggested rides of international consensus group.2 795 out-and in-patient samples were run as clinical samples.Stained blood films were prepared and manual differential with smear review were performed on all samples.Statistical analysis was done for each temporary rule and instrument flag which indicated abnormal cell quantity and morphology.Results Of all rules,instrument flags of ‘Immature Gran/Left Shift?’, ‘ Atypical Lympho?’and‘NRBC(nucleated red blood cell)?’showed most frequent false positive and false negative instrument flag.Evaluation on rnles about cell quantity change showed false positive and false negative rates were both low.Results of morphology evaluation showed that true positive rate was 17.44%, false positive rate was 15.82%,true negative rate was 63.49%,false negative rate was 3.25%.‘ Atypical Lymphocyte?’,‘Immature Gran?’and‘blast?’were the most frequent false positive flags.According to those results and clinicians opinions,our hematology review criteria for action following automated CBC and leukocytes differential was established.Conclusions The hematology review criteria have high true positive rate and low false negative rate.To clinical hematology laboratory using automated hematology analyzer,new criteria can reduce work load,bring lower false negative rate and higher work efficiency.

Objective By comparing with the SD rats mixed glial cells, C57 mice mixed glial cells and Kunming mice mixed glial cells and exploring the expression of inflammatory factor of three mixed glial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the study aimed to explore the application value of three kinds of mice and find the ideal model of inflammation. Methods We used LPS as inducers, and NO, IL － 1β, COX－2and iNOS as anti－inflammatory antioxidant index. After cutting the head and taking the brain, we cultured the mixed glials. Then we used Greiss assay to detect the expression of NO and used western blot to detect the expression of protein of IL－1β, COX－2, and iNOS protein.Finally we compared the mixed glial cells from SD rats, C57 mice mixed glial cells and Kunming mouse mixed glial cells and selected the best inflammation model from three mixed glial cells. Results The results showed that the morphological changes of the mixed glial cells in SD rats were treated with N2－ free medium. Compared with the control group, the quantity of NO of LPS group of three mixed glial cells increased significantly (P＜0.01) . The LPS group of SD rats released the highest concentration of NO. Western blot was used to detect the expression of IL－1β, Cox－2 and iNOS in three kinds of rodents. Compared with the blank control group, the expression of COX－2 protein, iNOS and IL－1β in the LPS group of the three mice increased significantly. The results showed that LPS could successfully stimulate the release of inflammatory cytokines in three kinds of mice,among which the SD rats were more sensitive and it could be used in the study of AD inflammation model. Conclusion The results showed that LPS could induce the release of NO and the expression of IL－1β, iNOS and COX－2 in C57BL/6 mice,Kunming mice and SD rats to induce inflammatory response. Thus,LPS can induce the formation of inflammatory oxidation models of the original mixed glial cells of the three mice. Moreover, the SD rats were more sensitive.

Under guiding of correct thinking of scientific research, development of clinical scientific research of acupuncture and moxibustion is of important significance for promoting academic progresses of acupuncture and moxibustion, increasing clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion. This paper probes thinking of clinical scientific research of acupuncture and moxibustion and puts forward the guiding principles, i.e. testing and verifying therapeutic effect, searching for laws, expounding mechanisms and guiding clinical practice.
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Biomedical Research ; Humans ; Moxibustion

To study the pharmacokinetic characteristics and absolute bioavailability of α-asarone through dry powder inhalation in rats, and compare with that through oral administration and intravenous injection. A HPLC method was established for the determination of α-asarone in rat plasma to detect the changes in plasma concentrations of α-asarone through dry powder inhalation (20 mg · kg(-1)), oral administration (80 mg · kg(-1)) and intravenous injection (20 mg · kg(-1)) in rats. DAS 2.0 software was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters. The absolute bioavailability of α-asarone was calculated according to AUC(0-t)) of administration routes and administration doses. According to the results, α-asarone showed good linear relations (r = 0. 999 4) at concentrations between 0.282-14.1 mg · L(-1), with the limit of detection (LOD) at 0.212 mg · L(-1). Through dry powder inhalation, oral administration and intravenous injection of α-asarone, the metabolic processes of α-asarone in rats conformed to one, two and three compartment models respectively, with the elimination half-life of (95.48 ± 48.28), (64.34 ± 27.59), (66.99 ± 29.76) min. According to the bioavailability formula, the absolute bioavailability of α-asarone through dry powder inhalation and oral administration were 78.32% and 33. 60%, respectively. This study showed that significant increase in elimination half-life and absolute bioavailability of α-asarone through dry powder inhalation, which lays a theoretical foundation for preparing α-asarone dry powder inhalers.
Administration, Inhalation ; Animals ; Anisoles ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Biological Availability ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; Half-Life ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AlM: To observe the effect of anterior chamber depth and angle change after pterygium excision.METHODS:Thirty cases (30 eyes) of primary pterygium were underwent pterygium excision. Central anterior chamber depth, four direction angle open distance ( AOD ) and open angle ( AA ) were measured preoperatively and postoperatively by ultrasound biomicroscopy ( UBM ) and the intraocular pressure was observed.RESULTS:Preoperative and Postoperative intraocular pressure were 15. 17±10. 6 and 16. 23±2. 61mmHg, and the central anterior chamber depth were 2. 28±0. 39 and 2. 33± 0. 24mm. The four directions of AOD and AA were no statistical difference.CONCLUSlON:The anterior chamber depth and the angle change is not obvious after pterygium excision.