The fermentation conditions which affect C-15? hydroxylation o f 18-methyl-estr- 4-ene-3,17-dione were investigated. As the key step in the Hydroxylation, the dissolution of substrate was focused on. Tween80, MeOH, DMSO,?-CD and 2-HP?CD were studied to improve the dissolvability of 18-met hyl-estr-4-ene-3,17-dione.The other factors such as pH, substrate concent ration and aeration strategies which affected conversion rate were also resea rched. As a result, the conversion rate can be up to 60% in shake flask and ach i(eve 50% in fermentor,which would overcome the disadvantage of 15?-hydroxyl -18-methyl-estr-4-ene-3,17-dione chemosynthesis and provide a good techn ics to industry.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of the present study was to prepare uniform-sized silybin loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres in study of silybin with stainless steel membrane.

METHODSilybin PLGA microspheres were prepared by stainless steel membrane emulsification. The preparation conditions were optimized by single-factor test and orthogonal experiment, and evaluating the mean diameters, the particle size distribution, drug loading, entrapment efficiency and morphology of microsphere.

RESULTPrepared microspheres were round and surface was smooth. The mean diameter was (4.961 +/- 0.56) microm. The span was (1.75 +/- 0.18). The entrapment efficiency was (54.997 +/- 4.05)% and the average drug loading was (23.6 +/- 1.70)%.

CONCLUSIONThe stainless steel membrane emulsification can be used to prepare the silybin PLGA microspheres. The mean diameters of the silybin PLGA microspheres can be controlled in certain level. Stainless steel membrane emulsification has great potentiality exploitation and utilization.

Drug Compounding ; methods ; Emulsions ; chemistry ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Microspheres ; Particle Size ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Silymarin ; chemistry ; Stainless Steel ; chemistry

In recent years, the study of autophagy in spinal cord injury (SCI) gradually becomes the hot spot. However, the function of autophagy in the injured spinal cord is still controversial. In order to further understand the role of autophagy after SCI, we summarized the activation of autophagy, autophagic cell death, the relationship between autophagy and apoptosis, the function of autophagy in promoting the molecular metabolism and the role of autophagy after spinal cord injury. We concluded that the role of autophagy after SCI is a double-edged sword. Upregulating the level of autophagy appropriately can promote damaged proteins metabolism and inhibit apoptosis. However, excessive activation of antophagy may induce autophagic cell dealth. So we consider that the proper regulation of autophagy will be a new target in the treatment of SCI.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; physiology ; Humans ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; etiology ; pathology

Objective To analyze the changes of the frequency of staphylococcus aureus (SAU) and methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from hospitalized children from 2003 to 2006,and investigate the 21 antimicrobial susceptibility against SAU strains for providing reference for clinical rational use of drug.Methods The SAU strains were isolated from 207 children who were hospitalized in department of pediatrics of the sixth people′s hospital affiliated to Shanghai jiaotong university from Jan.2003 to Dec.2006 during the first 48 h of hospital stay.Strains were isolated from cotton-tipped swab of throat culture 75 strains,sputum culture 57 strains,secretion of bellybutton culture 25 strains,liquor puris culture 23 strains,hemoculture 20 strains,tube thoracostomy culture 3 strains,middle piece urnary culture 3 strains,cerebrospinal fluid culture 1 strain.The strains were identified by latex agglutination test,the in vitro activities of the 21 antimicrobial agents against 207 SAU isolates was tested by disc diffusion test (K-B method) according to the guidelines of the clinical and laboratory standards institute.MRSA was screened by oxacillin disc diffusion test.The data were analyzed by WHONET 5 software,Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel was used to analyze the tendency of SAU isolating rate and MRSA detectable rate.Results Of these SAU,30 strains(14.5 %) isolates were MRSA and 177 strains(85.5 %) were methicillin sensitive staphylococcus aureus.The sensitive rates of SAU to Penicilin,Oxacillin,Cefuroxime Sodium,Cefotaxime,Ceftriaxone,Erythromycin,Clindamycin,Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole,Ciprofloxacin,Fosfomycin and Rifampin were 4.8%,85.5%,84.9%,90.0%,88.3%,37.5%,46.3%,92.7%,74.2%,97.2%,94.0%,respectively.All the strains were sensitive to peptide antibiotic(for instance,vacomycin and teicoplanin) and Levofloxacin.The SAU isolated rate and MRSA detectable rate were 9.6%,19.8%,25.0%,39.5% and 5.0%,5.9%,12.7%,24.7% in 2003-2006,respectively.Conclusions SAU has strong resis-tance to Penicilin and Erythromycin,but relative sensitive to Oxacillin and Cephalosporin.The SAU isolatating rate and MRSA resistant rate is increased in our area,pediatrics should to strengthen the monitoring of SAU is important in pediatrics.

Objective To investigate the levels of trace elements such as fluorine(F), and aluminium (Al)etc. of osteomalacia malformation children and to make etiological diagnosis in reference with clinical manifestations.Methods Urine and occipitalia hairs of 14 diseased children(patient group) from endemic fluorosis area and 13 healthy children(control group) from non-endemic area were included in the study on November, 2008, and contents of 10 elements of fluorine(F), aluminum(Al), chromium(Cr), manganese(Mn), ferrum(Fe), cuprum(Cu), zinc(Zn), arsenic (As), selenium(Se), strontium(Sr), and barium(Ba) were tested. The data were analyzed with medical soft package PEMS 3.1. Results Urinary contents of F, Al, Mn, Cu, Sr, and Se(1.18 mg/L, 112.6 μg/L,6.62,29.86 mg/L, 177.5,4.23 ng/L) in patient group were significantly different from those in control group (0.48,47.1,2.04,16.61 mg/L, 55.17,15.52 ng/L, t = 4.592,2.486,4.850,2.210 2.078,2.912, all P＜ 0.05); Hair contents of Al, Mn, As, Sr, Ba, Fe, and Se in patient group(59.27,5.26,0.96,1.50,1.29,297.13,0.45 mg/kg)were significantly different from those of control group( 18.69,0.72,1.09,0.62,0.68,69.02,1.323 mg/kg, t = 4.583,6.318,3.309,2.704,5.606,6.294, all P ＜ 0.05); in patient group, the correlation coefficients of urinary Fe to Al,Zn, As, and Se were all bigger tan 0.662(all P＜ 0.05), those of urinary Se to Mn, Ba, Cu, Zn, Sr, and As were all bigger than 0.694(all P＜ 0.05), those among urinary Mn, Sr, As, and Ba were bigger than 0.550(all P＜0.05), those of hair Al to Mn, Cr, Fe, and Cu were bigger than 0.732(all P＜ 0.05), those of hair Ba to Mn,Cr, Fe, and Sr, and of hair Mn to Cr and Fe, and those between Cr and As, between Cu and Sr were all bigger than 0.686 (all P ＜ 0.05). In control group, the correlation coefficients of urinary Cu to Zn, Se, and Ba, those of Zn to Se and Ba, and those of Cr to Mn and Ba were all bigger than 0.516(all P ＜ 0.05), those of hair Al to Mn,Fe, Cu, As, and Se, and those of hair Se to Fe, Cu, and As, those of hair Fe to Mn, Cu, and As, those of hair Cu to Zn and As, and that between Zn and As were bigger than 0.739(all P ＜ 0.05). The correlation coefficient of urinary F to Se in patient group(0.762) was significantly different from that in control group( - 0.469, u = 2.079,P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions The burden of F and Al of osteomalacia malformation children in endemic fluorosis area of Shuicheng county is too high. The contents of multi-elements in urine and hairs and their correlation are coincident with high levels of Al and F and they cause network increase of multi-element content changes and their correlation. According to bone X-ray features combining with the living environment, the diagnosis of endemic Al-F fluorosis can be made. The biological significance of reducing urinary and hair Se levels and the correlations of F and Al need to be further studied.

The optimum medium for Lactobacillus M7 was systematically studied with SAS system. Firstly, the prime factors affecting lactic acid yield were selected by means of Plackett-Burman design; secondly, the pnme facias were optimized by response rurface analysis. Under the optimum level determined, the yield is increased by 15%.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of flavonoids from seed residues of Hippophae rhamnoides (FH) on the lipid metabolism and antioxidative activity in climacteric rats.

METHODMenopausal rats with aging were used in this experiment. The rats were fed with FH by gastrogavage for 13 weeks. The effect of drug on the lipid metabolism and the antioxidative activity were observed after the rats were killed.

RESULTSerum total cholesterol was decreased significantly in rats fed with FH, T-AOC and SOD in serum and liver were significantly higher than those in rats fed with water, and at the same time MDA was lower than that in rats fed with water.

CONCLUSIONFH can improve the climacteric rats' lipid metabolism, and enhance the antioxidation in climacteric rats.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Climacteric ; blood ; Female ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hippophae ; chemistry ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Liver ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; metabolism ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and possibly prognositic factors of anterior approach on two-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

METHODSA retrospective review was performed on 44 cases of two-level cervical spondylotic mydopathy from Jun. 2007 to Sep. 2009. Among the patients, 24 cases were male and 20 cases female, with an average age of (60.072 +/- 10.77) years (ranged from 39 to 80 years). The affected segments ranged from C(3.4)-C(6.7). Improvements of cervical curvature and segmental height, preoperative sagittal diameter of the spinal cord at the site of maximal compression and signal intensity changes on T2WI were respectively measured. Function of nerves was assessed according to Japanese orthopaedic association system (JOA:17 score) before and after surgery. Operation by anterior approach including: anterior corpectomy and titanium cage fusion with internal fixation, anterior corpectomy body and auto iliac bone fusion with internal fixation. Statistical analysis was made on the correlation between JOA recovery rate and prognostic factors.

RESULTSImprovements of cervical curvature was -9.1 degrees to 16.6 degrees with the mean of (1.30 +/- 5.77) degrees and improvements of segmental height was -0.3 to 12.3 mm with the mean of (4.23 +/- 3.08) mm. Sagittal diameter of the spinal cord at the site of maximal compression was 1.6 to 7.2 mm with the mean of (4.01+/- 1.25) mm. T2WI with high signal changes was in 29 cases, no change in 15 cases. Bleeding amount was 50 to 700 ml with the mean of (242.05 +/- 148.22) ml. Operative time was 90 to 250 min with the mean of (153.75 +/- 34.54) min. All patients were followed up from 6 to 31 months with an average of (17.18 +/- 7.41) months. The mean JOA score preoperatively was (12.73 +/- 2.23); at the final follow-up, the JOA score was(15.09 +/- 1.91); and the recovery rate was (60.01 +/- 26.98)%. According to standard of JOA scoring, 16 cases obtained excellent result, 12 good, 15 fair and 1 poor. The effect of anterior approach had correlations with age, time of course, preoperative JOA score, sagittal diameter of the spinal cord at the site of maximal compression and signal intensity changes on T2WI, but had no correlations with operation time, bleeding amount and improvements of cervical curvature and segmental height.

CONCLUSIONTwo-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy can achieve good effect through anterior approach. The extent of the spinal cord compression may be a reliable and direct factor to judge effect.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Spondylosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Time Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

This 6-week study was conducted to evaluate the effects of seven different levels of dietary chromium (Cr) (0, 75, 150, 300, 450, 600, and 1 200 ppb Cr) in the form of Cr nanoparticle (CrNano) on growth, body composition, serum hormones and tissue Cr in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Seventy male SD rats (average initial body weight of (83.2+/-4.4) g) were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments (n=10). At the end of the trial, body composition was assessed via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). All rats were then sacrificed to collect samples of blood, organs and tissues for determination of serum hormones and tissue Cr contents. The results indicated that lean body mass was significantly increased (P<0.05) due to the addition of 300 and 450 ppb Cr from CrNano. Supplementation of 150, 300, 450, and 600 ppb Cr decreased (P<0.05) percent body fat significantly. Average daily gain was increased (P<0.05) by addition of 75, 150, and 300 ppb Cr and feed efficiency was increased (P<0.05) by supplementation of 75, 300, and 450 ppb Cr. Addition of 300 and 450 ppb Cr decreased (P<0.05) the insulin level in serum greatly. Cr contents in liver and kidney were greatly increased (P<0.05) by the addition of Cr as CrNano in the dosage of from 150 ppb to 1 200 ppb. In addition, Supplementation of 300, 450, and 600 ppb Cr significantly increased (P<0.05) Cr content in the hind leg muscle. These results suggest that supplemental CrNano has beneficial effects on growth performance and body composition, and increases tissue Cr concentration in selected muscles.
Animals ; Body Composition ; drug effects ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Chromium ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Hormones ; blood ; Male ; Nanoparticles ; administration & dosage ; ultrastructure ; Organ Specificity ; Particle Size ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Distribution

OBJECTIVEOptimization of combining electroencephalography (EEG), short latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SLSEP) and transcranial Doppler (TCD) techniques to diagnose brain death.

METHODSOne hundred and eleven patients (69 males, 42 females) from the major hospitals of Zhejiang Province were examined with portable EEG, SLSEP and TCD devices. Re-examinations occurred < or =12 h later.

RESULTSThe first examination revealed that the combination of SLSEP and EEG led to more sensitive diagnoses than the combination of SLSEP and TCD. Re-examination confirmed this and also revealed that the combination of TCD and EEG was the most sensitive.

CONCLUSIONThe results show that using multiple techniques to diagnose brain death is superior to using single method, and that the combination of SLSEP and EEG is better than other combinations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Death ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Child ; Electroencephalography ; methods ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial ; methods ; Young Adult