OBJECTIVETo explore the regulation of transdermal absorption of Secretio Bufonis (SB) and the effect of low frequency complex impulse current (LFCIC) on it.

METHODSBy modifying three-chamber flow diffusion pool to develop a prototype LFCIC device for transdermal delivery, using high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) to determine the quantitative transdermal absorption of the amount of ingredients of SB, including bufalin, cinobufagin and resibufogenin, etc. and the transdermal absorption velocity was calculated.

RESULTSThe chief ingredients of SB could be absorbed through skin, but the volume was low. Additional application of LFCIC could enhance the cumulative infiltration volume and velocity of transdermal diffusion. Difference appeared 2 hrs after and significant difference appeared 4 hrs after the application, and 13.8 Hz showed the optimal effect of transdermal delivery.

CONCLUSIONChief ingredients of SB could be absorbed through transdermal medication, and LFCIC can evidently enhance the amount and velocity of transdermal absorption of SB.

Animals ; Bufanolides ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Bufonidae ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Electric Stimulation ; Iontophoresis ; Male ; Materia Medica ; Rabbits ; Skin Absorption

Objective To assess the effectiveness of the clinical pathway for the treatment of advanced schistosomiasis he-patic fibrosis. Methods The duration of hospital stay,gross hospitalization expense,individual-paid expense,interior diame-ter of portal vein,levels of four serum hepatic fibrosis-related parameters(PIIIP,CIV,HA,and LN),and activities of ALT, AST andγ-GT were assessed and compared between the advanced schistosomiasis patients receiving the clinical pathway and ones receiving non-clinical pathway. Results There were 142 advanced schistosomiasis patients with hepatic fibrosis receiving the clinical pathway of anti-hepatic fibrosis. Compared with the patients receiving non-clinical pathway ,the gross hospitalization expenses reduced by 11.2％(t=6.310,P<0.05),and the individual-paid expenses reduced by 16.1％(t=4.326,P<0.05). The mean HA level was twice higher than the normal range,with a positive rising from 70.4％to 83.1％,and the abnormal rates of CIV andγ-GT were 64.1％and 28.9％respectively. Conclusions The clinical pathway can drastically reduce the treatment expenses in advanced schistosomiasis patients with hepatic fibrosis. However,the patients have a trend towards the persistent disease progression. Therefore,the researches of more effective therapeutic methods for advanced schistosomiasis hepatic fibro-sis are urgently needed.

Groundwater remediation by nanoparticles has received increasing interest in recent years. This report presents a thorough evaluation of hexavalent chromium removal in aqueous solutions using iron (Fe(0)) nanoparticles. Cr(VI) is a major pollutant of groundwater. Zero-valent iron, an important natural reductant of Cr(VI), is an option in the remediation of contaminated sites, transforming Cr(VI) to essentially nontoxic Cr(III). At a dose of 0.4 g/L, 100% of Cr(VI) (20 mg/L) was degraded. The Cr(VI) removal efficiency decreased significantly with increasing initial pH. Different Fe(0) type was compared in the same conditions. The reactivity was in the order starch-stabilized Fe(0) nanoparticles>Fe(0) nanoparticles>Fe(0) powder>Fe(0) filings. Electrochemical analysis of the reaction process led to the conclusion that Cr(OH)(3) should be the final product of Cr(VI). Iron nanoparticles are good choice for the remediation of heavy metals in groundwater.
Chromium ; chemistry ; Electrochemistry ; Fresh Water ; chemistry ; Iron ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Nanostructures ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; Starch ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Water Pollutants, Chemical

Objective To evaluate the effect of slow-release microcapsules of HCF( hepatocyte growth factor) on angiogenesis in infracted myocardium.Method Myocardial infarction was induced in 30 New Zealand rabbits by ligating the middle of left descending coronary artery. Group Ⅰ ( n = 10) was served as a control group, group Ⅱ ( n =10) as a blank microcapsule group, group Ⅲ ( n = 10) as experimental group with each microcapsule contains 1 μgHGF as HCF group. In group Ⅱ andⅢ, 5 blank microcapsules or FGF slow-release microcapsules were implanted into myocardium under epicedium between the left descending coronary artery and left circumflex branch. The heart function of each rabbit was evaluated with echocar-diography and cheterization, angiogenesis was evaluated by immunohistochemical technique 6 weeks later.Result As compared with group Ⅰ and Ⅱ , rabbits treated with HGF had higher microvessel counts ( P < 0. 01), and LVFS and EF were significantly increased [ (101. 28±19. 50,105. 28 ±18. 28,161. 28 ±15. 85, P <0.01 ]. Conclusion Subepicardial implantation of HGF slow release microcapsule in the infracted rabbit model can enhance effective angiogenesis and improve left ventricular function.

Adult ; Blast Injuries ; therapy ; Explosions ; Humans ; Male ; Multiple Trauma ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the awareness and use of banned pesticides among vegetable greenhouse farmers in a town of Ledu County, Qinghai Province, China and to provide a basis for the management and control of banned pesticides.

METHODSLocal residents who lived in a town of Ledu County for more than 5 years were selected as subjects in August 2012. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 267 vegetable greenhouse farmers who were selected from five villages of the town by cluster random sampling.

RESULTSOf the 267 subjects, 249 (93.26%) completed and returned the questionnaires. Eighty-seven (34.9%) of the 249 subjects were aware of banned pesticides, and the banned pesticide awareness rate varied significantly among the subjects with different education levels (χ(2) = 11.061, P = 0.011). Only education level entered the regression equation in non-conditional logistic regression analysis. Only five (2.0%) of the 249 subjects knew the banned pesticides as well as the details. All the 249 subjects used banned pesticides to varying degrees in the past 5 years. Only 9.0% (17/189) of the vegetable greenhouse farmers knew the time pesticides were initially banned in China.

CONCLUSIONThe banned pesticide awareness rate is relatively low in the town of Ledu County, and this rate is influenced by education level. It is needed to spread the knowledge and hazards of banned pesticides.

Agriculture ; China ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Pesticides ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo detect and analyze the differentially expressed genes in prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSOligonucleotide microarray containing 465 genes was used to investigate the differentially expressed genes in PCa and BPH.

RESULTSThere were 35 differentially expressed genes between PCa and BPH, of which 17 were up-regulated and 18 down-regulated in PCa.

CONCLUSIONThe study of the differentially expressed genes in PCa and BPH should help to understand the molecular mechanism of PCa and identify the markers for diagnostic and therapeutic use.

Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo study the maturation effect of CpG2006 and phosphodiester oligonucleotides on leukemia-derived dendritic cells.

METHODSLeukemia cells K562/A02 were induced into dendritic cells by rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4. After 7 days induction, the cell-morphology was observed, the immunophenotype of cells was detected by flow cytometry and the cell function was evaluated by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions, CTL responses and secretion of IL-12 and IL-6. Then a CpG oligonucleotide CpG2006, two synthetic bacterial phosphodiester oligonucleotides A-ODN and T-ODN were added to these leukemia-derived DCs. Three days later, the DCs were re-detected by the above-mentioned methods.

RESULTSAfter induced by CpG2006, A-ODN or T-ODN, the leukemia-derived DCs with typical dendritic morphology were increased. The expressions of CD83, HLA-DR and CD86 were (65.5 +/- 8.4)%, (32.0 +/- 4.3)% and (18.6 +/- 3.2)% respectively in day 7 leukemia-derived DCs, raised to (88.9 +/- 3.6)%, (53.9 +/- 3.2)% and (39.9 +/- 7.3)% respectively after exposing CpG2006 for 3 days; increased to (97.0 +/- 5.3)%, (63.9 +/- 7.3)% and (40.2 +/- 7.4)% respectively after treated by A-ODN; and further increased to (93.26 +/- 4.65)%, (58.3 +/- 5.6)% and (36.2 +/- 6.8)% respectively after treated by T-ODN. These results was markedly different than unaffected cells did. These DCs induced by the above-mentioned three oligonucleotides could upregulate significantly the capacity for stimulating allogeneic T cells. They could also induce CTL to generate specific cytotoxic activity against K562/A02 cells. The secretion of IL-6 and IL-12 was increased remarkably.

CONCLUSIONCpG2006, as well as two phosphodiester oligonucleotides can induce leukemia-derived DCs maturation.

Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology ; Oligonucleotides ; pharmacology

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) refers to a group of clinical symptoms and signs caused by antiphospholipid antibody (aPLA). We reported a rare case of poor outcome of a pregnant woman with APS. The pregnant woman had APS, hemolytic anemia, elevated liver function and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome, and eclampsia and had a poor outcome from a second pregnancy. She was treated with antispasmodics, sedatives, and anti-hypertensive agents, along with anticoagulant therapy and infusion of immunoglobulin. APS during pregnancy often makes pregnancy even more complex and risky. Obstetricians should carry out anticoagulation treatment throughout the perinatal period.
Abortion, Induced ; adverse effects ; Adult ; Antiphospholipid Syndrome ; complications ; Eclampsia ; etiology ; Female ; HELLP Syndrome ; etiology ; Humans ; Pre-Eclampsia ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on palmitate-induced apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the underlying mechanism. HUVECs were cultured in vitro, and then treated by palmitate to induce apoptosis. Meanwhile, GLP-1 was added to explore its effect. After 24 h of the treatments, Caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation were measured using ELISA kits. Phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK) expression was detected by Western blot. The results showed that incubating HUVECs with 0.125 mmol/L GLP-1 increased Caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation. GLP-1 significantly inhibited palmitate-induced increases of Caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, GLP-1 inhibited the up-regulation of p-p38 MAPK expression induced by palmitate in HUVECs. These results suggest GLP-1 protects HUVECs against lipo-apoptosis, and this effect may be mediated through inhibiting p38 MAPK pathway.
Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; DNA Fragmentation ; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 ; metabolism ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Up-Regulation ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism