OBJECTIVE:To improve the drug delivery procedures and reduce the defects occurred in drug delivery.METHODS:The five procedures of six sigma including defining,measuring,analyzing,improving and controlling were applied to improve the drug delivery in our hospital's single dose dispensing(UDD)center.RESULTS:Due to the application of the six sigma method,the defect rate of drug delivery dropped from 25.1%(before the initiation of the six sigma method)to 5%(after the initiation of the six sigma method),which was significant lower as compared before the initiation of the six sigma method.CONCLUSION:Six sigma method contributed to the reduction of defect rate of drug delivery,so it deserves to be widely used in each management link in UDD center so as to improve the quality of dispensing.

Objective: To examine the application of arm circumference to evaluating the nutritional risk among cancer patients, so as to provide insights into nutritional risk screening among cancer patients. Methods: Totally 332 cancer patients hospitalized in the Department of Oncology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from September 2020 to March 2021 were selected as the study subjects. Subjects'demographic data and disease history were collected, and the height, body weight, arm circumference and serum nutritional indicators were measured. The indicators related to nutritional risk were identified by logistic regression models. The value of arm circumference in assessment of nutritional risk was examined among cancer patients using the receiver operating characteristic ( ROC ) curve analysis, and the Nutritional Risk Screening ( NRS 2002 ) scores were used as the gold standard. Results: The subjects included 188 males ( 56.63% ) and 144 females ( 43.37% ), and had a mean age of ( 51.62±12.31 ) years. The detection rate of nutritional risk was 36.75% among the subjects according to NRS 2002, with 29.78% in males and 45.83% in females. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified arm circumference as an independent factor affecting the nutritional risk among cancer patients ( P<0.05 ). The area under the ROC curve, cut-off, sensitivity and specificity of arm circumference in predicting nutritional risk were 0.857 ( 95%CI: 0.795-0.918, P<0.001 ), 24.4 cm, 83.3% and 78.6% among male cancer patients, and 0.727 ( 95%CI: 0.643-0.810, P<0.001 ), 23.9 cm, 78.2% and 57.6% among female cancer patients, respectively. Conclusions Arm circumference is feasible for screening nutritional risk among cancer patients. The cut-off value of nutritional risk was determined by arm circumference less than 24.4 cm in men and less than 23.9 cm in women with good accuracy.

Objective To explore the significance of case managers using WeChat platform in the treatment process and extended care for patients with laryngeal cancer.Methods From November 2014 to May 2015, 30 patients with partial resection or total resection of laryngeal cancer in the department of head and neck surgery were selected as a research subjects.Case managers provided fully supports,such as establishing WeChat group,replying online consultations,popularizing health education knowledge,providing psychological counselings.Psychological assessment of the patients was conducted by social support scale(SSRS)and anxiety scale(SAS)in the beginning of case management.Results comparison was performed before and after three months intervention.Results The score of subjective support of patients before intervention was (25.13 ±4.81)points,which after intervention was (28.33 ± 4.41)points.The score of support availability before intervention was (7.20 ±1.99)points,which after intervention was (35.27 ±5.90)points.The differences were statistically significant(t =-2.685,-5.280,2.917,all P <0.05).Conclusion The WeChat platform mediated by the case management is effective in the management of the psychological health of patients with laryngeal cancer,which can effectively promote the rehabilitation of patients.

Hair follicle (HF), one of the skin appendages, has received a lot of attention to be a new target and pathway for drug delivery. The development of hair follicle targeted drug delivery system (HFTDDS) through percutaneous permeation is particularly important for skin diseases derived from HF such as acne, hair loss, and folliculitis for their on-site action. This review describes the structure and physiological function of HF, the microenvironment of HF, and factors affecting HF permeation. Multiple nanoformulations used to improve the HF permeation and technologies to characterize the HF permeation were introduced. The latest advance of HFTDDS based on nanoformulations were systematically summarized and analyzed in the treatment of acne and hair loss. Finally, the challenges of formulating HFTDDS were discussed. The review is expected to provide some ideas and references for developing delivery systems for treating skin diseases derived from HF.

Objective To observe the impact of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia on the early apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells.Methods A549 cells was first stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)or staurosporine (STS)to induce cell apoptosis,and then co-cultured with Aspergillus fumigatus conidia of three different concentrations (5 × 10 5 ,5 × 10 6 ,5 × 10 7 )simultaneously.The changes of the apoptosis rate of A549 cells were detected by flow cytometry.Results The early apoptosis of A549 cells was increased markedly after stimulated with TNF-α ([14.94 ± 0.82 ]% vs [3.26 ± 0.74]%,χ2 =9.18,P <0.05)and STS ([18.10±1 .00]% vs [3.26±0.74]%,χ2 =12.32,P <0.05). When Aspergillus fumigatus conidia of different concentrations were added,the apoptosis rate was decreased (χ2 =31 .23,P <0.05 ).The early apoptosis of A549 cells was negatively correlated with the concentration of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia (rTNF = - 0.92,r STS = - 0.94,both P < 0.05 ). Conclusion Aspergillus fumigatus conidia inhibits the early apoptosis of A549 cells induced by TNF-αor STS and the inhibit effect increases with the concentration of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia.

The mammalian cell nucleus is highly structured and organized into various membrane-less nuclear compartments called nuclear bodies. Nuclear bodies are highly dynamic structures, with a variety of substances gathered inside to promote the more efficient conduct of certain biological reactions. It dynamically produces responses under different biological processes and stress conditions such as tumorigenesis, apoptosis, antiviral defense, and plays an important role in regulating cell homeostasis. Tumor is a major public health problem, and finding new targets is the key to tumor therapy. How the nuclear bodies are involved in the development of tumor has not been reported. This review aims to provide a new understanding of how the nuclear bodies regulates tumor progression and provide a new effective strategy for tumor prevention and treatment.

In the previous study, a high-throughput screening method was established to find the antagonists of CD36. In the present study, a new compound named IMB-1680 was found using this method. The anti-atherosclerotic activities of IMB-1680 were then evaluated. Dose-dependent activities of IMB-1680 were detected by using Sf9 [hCD36] and CHO [hCD36] models. Fluorescence microscopic photography and flow cytometry were used to analyze uptake of mLDL. Foam cell test with RAW264.7 macrophages was used to examine lipid accumulation. The results showed that IMB-1680 inhibited CD36 activity with IC50 of 2.80 and 8.79 micromol x L(-1) in Sf9[hCD36] and CHO [hCD36] cells, respectively. Fluorescence microscopic photography and flow cytometry revealed that IMB-1680 could significantly reduce DiI-AcLDL uptake. Meanwhile, IMB-1680 also could reduce lipids accumulation in RAW264.7 macrophages. In all, the data indicated that IMB-1680 might be a potent effective anti-atherosclerotic leading compound.
Animals ; CD36 Antigens ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; CHO Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Cricetulus ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Foam Cells ; cytology ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Plasmids ; Receptors, Scavenger ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Sf9 Cells ; Spodoptera ; Transfection

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on apoptosis in myocardial cells in rats with severe scald.Methods Eighteen healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 220-280 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =6 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),scald group (group B)and scald + dexmedetomidine 30 μg/kg group (group D).Thirty percent of the total body surface was shaved and then exposed to 94 ℃ water for 12 s.Rats were resuscitated with isotonic saline according to Parkland formula immediately after burn.Sham burn was produced in C group.In group D,the rats received inraperitoneal injection of dexmedetomidine 30 μg/kg immediately after burn,and the equal volume of normal saline was injected in group B.The left ventricle was removed at 12 h after burn to observe the pathological changes of myocardial tissues with light microscope and to detect the apoptosis in myocardial cells (TUNEL assay) and expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) (using Western blot).The apoptosis index was calculated.Results Compared with group C,the apoptosis index was significantly increased and the expression of GRP78 and CHOP was up-regulated in B and D groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group B,the apoptosis index was significantly decreased and the expression of GRP78 and CHOP was down-regulated in group D (P ＜ 0.05).The pathological changes were obvious in group B and were significantly attenuated in group D.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can protect myocardium through inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis in myocardial cells in rats with severe scald.

AIMTo observe the effect of Xiaoyao Powder on the content changes of CRF mRNA in relative brain zone (hypothalamus, pituitary, hippocampus, cortex) in chronic restrained stress rats.

METHODSRT-PCR and graphic analysis methods were applied to test the content changes of CRF mRNA in relative brain zone.

RESULTSThe CRF-1 gene expression in hypothalamus was modulated lower in stress group and the difference was significant when compared with control group (P < 0.01). The gene expression of CRF-1 in Xiaoyao Powder group was markedly modulated lower in hypothalamus, but it was markedly modulated higher in cortex as compared with control group (P < 0.01). The gene expression of CRF-2 in Xiaoyao Powder group was higher in hypothalamus than that in stress group (P < 0.01), and it was also higher in hippocampus as compared with that in control and stress group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 respectively).

CONCLUSIONThe modulation point of Xiaoyao Powder group on central neuropeptide of chronic restrained stress is respectively hypothalamus, pituitary, hippocampus and cortex. The modulating target is hypothalamus, the limbic system and the cortex center. It can be suggested that medicine of smoothing the liver simultaneously have poly-target and dual-modulating action and been involved in the integration function of nerve-endocrine-immune net.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stress, Physiological ; genetics ; Stress, Psychological ; genetics ; metabolism

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