To study the relation between drug release and the drug status within curcumin-loaded microsphere, SPG (shirasu porous glass) membrane emulsification was used to prepare the curcumin-PLGA (polylactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres with three levels of drug loading respectively, and the in vitro release was studied with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The morphology of microspheres was observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the drug status was studied with X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared analysis (IR). The drug loading of microspheres was (5.85 ± 0.21)%, (11.71 ± 0.39)%, (15.41 ± 0.40)%, respectively. No chemical connection was found between curcumin and PLGA. According to the results of XRD, curcumin dispersed in PLGA as amorphous form within the microspheres of the lowest drug loading, while (2.12 ± 0.64)% and (5.66 ± 0.07)% curcumin crystals was detected in the other two kinds of microspheres, respectively, indicating that the drug status was different within three kinds of microspheres. In the data analysis, we found that PLGA had a limited capacity of dissolving curcumin. When the drug loading exceeded the limit, the excess curcumin would exist in the form of crystals in microspheres independently. Meanwhile, this factor contributes to the difference in drug release behavior of the three groups of microspheres.
Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Curcumin ; chemistry ; Drug Liberation ; Lactic Acid ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microspheres ; Polyglycolic Acid ; X-Ray Diffraction

Objective To evaluate the CT findings of pancreatic carcinoid tumors.Methods The CT imaging data of five patients with pancreatic carcinoid tumors confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed.Results The tumors ranged in maximum diameter from 2.0 to 11.0 cm with a mean of 6.4 cm. On unenhanced CT,the tumors were slightly hypodense relative to the pancreatic parenchyma,homogenous in 2 cases,and heterogenous in 3 cases.One tumor showed calcification.After contrast material injection, the solid component of the tumor showed marked heterogenous enhancement on the arterial phase scanning in 3 cases,and mild heterogenous enhancement in 2 cases.The degree of tumor enhancement was less intense than the surrounding pancreatic parenchyma due to necrosis of various degree,which led to the cystic appearance of the tumor in 1 ease.On the portal phase scanning,all tumors showed marked enhancement similar to that of the pancreatic parenchyma.On the delayed phase scanning,the degree of enhancement was more intense than the surrounding pancreatic parenchyma in 1 case.Liver metastases with retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy and peripancreatic vessels invasion were seen in 1 case.No dilatation of the biliary tract or pancreatic duct was present.Conclusion The CT features of pancreatic carcinoid tumors included infrequent dilatation of the biliary tract or pancreatic duct and unusual vascular involvement,calcification within the mass,marked enhancement similar to that of the surrounding pancreatic parenchyma during the portal phase scanning and more intense during the delayed phase scanning.

AlM:To discuss the protective effect ofα-mangostin on retinal light damage in mice.METHODS:Totally 30 Balb/c mice, aged 6~8wk, were randomly divided into the control group, light-exposure group and α-mangostin group. Every group contained 10 mice. Mice of α-mangostin group were treated with alpha-mangostin at the dose of 30mg/( kg · d ) body weight by intragastric administration daily for 7d, and then exposed to white light at the 5th d. The light-exposure group and α-mangostin group were exposed to 5 000 ± 200lx white light-emmiting diodes (LEDs) for continuously 1h to establish the mice model of retinal light damage. Flash -electroretinograme was recorded 72h after light exposure. The changes in retinal morphology of mice were observed by light microscopy. Retinas were extracted to detect the malondialdhyde ( MDA ) content change of the retinal homogenate.RESULTS: Flash-electroretinogram ( F-ERG ) showed that retinal dysfunction was less severe in α-mangostin group than in light-exposure group ( P<0. 05 ). Light microscopy test showed that retina structural damage was less severe in α-mangostin group than in light-exposure group (P<0. 05). The level of MDA in retinal tissue of α-mangostin group was significantly lower when compared with light-exposure group (P<0. 05).CONCLUSlON: α-mangostin inhibits lipid peroxidation induced by light damage and protect retina against light damage.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequency of JAK2V617F mutation in Chinese patients with chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and to study the relationship between JAK2V617F mutation and clinical characteristics.

METHODSJAK2V617F mutation was screened by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR).

RESULTSJAK2V617F mutation was detected in 277 of the 412 patients with MPN. The frequency of JAK2V617F mutation was similar among essential thrombocythemia (ET), idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) and chronic myeloproliferative disorders-unclassified (MPD-U) (P > 0.05), but it was significantly lower than that in polycythemia vera (PV) (P < 0.05). The presence of JAK2V617F was found to be significantly correlative with advanced age at diagnosis (P < 0.01) and with higher hemoglobin levels and higher leukocyte counts (P < 0.05). Significant difference was found in complication of vascular events between JAK2V617 positive and negative patients (P < 0.05). JAK2V617F positive MPD-U patients were more prone to progress into typical MPN compared with JAK2V617F negative MPD-U patients. The association between abnormal karyotype and JAK2V617F was not found in cytogenetical analysis of 301 patients.

CONCLUSIONThe presence of JAK2V617F in MPD-U is associated with the disease development. There is a correlation between JAK2V617F mutation in MPN and advanced age, higher leukocyte counts, hemoglobin level and vascular events.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoglobins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2 ; genetics ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; blood ; complications ; genetics ; Polycythemia Vera ; blood ; complications ; genetics ; Primary Myelofibrosis ; blood ; complications ; genetics ; Thrombocythemia, Essential ; blood ; complications ; genetics ; Thrombosis ; etiology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDIn recent years, increasing numbers of patients are accepting neoadjuvant chemotherapy before their operation in order to get a better prognosis. But chemotherapy has many side-effects. We have observed that patients who accepted neoadjuvant chemotherapy are more sensitive to anesthetics. The aim of this study was to determine the median effective dose (EC(50)) of intravenous anesthetics for neoadjuvant chemotherapy patients to lose consciousness during target-controlled infusion.

METHODSTwo hundred and forty breast cancer patients undergoing elective operations were assigned to six groups according to treatment received before their operation and the use of intravenous anesthetics during anesthesia; non-adjuvant chemotherapy + propofol group (group NP, n = 40), Taxol + propofol group (group TP, n = 40), adriamycin + cyclophosphamide + 5-Fu + propofol group (group CP, n = 40), non-adjuvant chemotherapy + etomidate group (group NE, n = 40), taxol + etomidate group (group TE, n = 40), adriamycin + cyclophosphamide + 5-Fu + etomidate group (group CE, n = 40). We set the beginning effect-site concentration (Ce) of propofol as 3.0 µg/ml and etomidate as 0.2 µg/ml. The concentration was increased by steps until the patient was asleep, (OAAS class I-II), then gave fentanyl 3 µg/kg and rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg and intubated three minutes later. The patients' age, height, and weight were recorded. BIS was recorded before induction, at the initial effect-site concentration and at loss of consciousness. The effect-site concentration was recorded when patient lost consciousness.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between groups in general conditions before treatment; such as BIS of consciousness, age, sex and body mass index. The EC(50) of propofol in the NP, TP and CP groups was 4.11 µg/ml (95%CI: 3.96 - 4.26), 2.94 µg/ml (95%CI: 3.36 - 3.47) and 2.91 µg/ml (95%CI: 3.35 - 3.86), respectively. The EC50 of etomidate in the NE, TE and CE groups was 0.61 µg/ml (95%CI: 0.55 - 0.67), 0.38 µg/ml (95%CI: 0.33 - 0.44), and 0.35 µg/ml (95%CI: 0.34 - 0.36), respectively. There was no significant difference of BIS level before induction or in BIS50 level in any group when patients lost consciousness.

CONCLUSIONSThe EC(50) of intravenous anesthetics to cause loss of consciousness in neoadjuvant chemotherapy groups is lower than in the control group. There was no significant difference of BIS level at which patients lost consciousness.

Adult ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Etomidate ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; adverse effects ; Paclitaxel ; therapeutic use ; Propofol ; therapeutic use ; Unconsciousness ; chemically induced

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of sea water immersion on inflammation and healing of the wounds in scalded rats.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-four male Wistar rats with 10% TBSA superficial partial-thickness scald were randomly divided into A (n=72, with scald) and B (n=72, with seawater immersion for 4hrs immediately after scald) groups. The serum contents of K+, Na+, Cl- were determined at 0 post-scald hour (PSH), 6PSH, 12PSH and 24 PSH with electrocyte analysis apparatus, and the changes in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) levels were determined at 0 PSH, 6PSH and 12 PSH with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The histopathological changes in the rats of the two groups were observed, and wound healing time was respectively calculated.

RESULTSThe serum contents of K+, Na+, Cl- in B group were obviously higher than those in A group. And the serum content of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in B group at 6 PSH [(140 +/- 22) ng/L, (160 +/- 41) ng/L] were significantly higher than those before scald [(29 +/- 15) ng/L, (62 +/- 17)] ng/L and in A group [(120 +/- 12) ng/L, (124 +/- 22) ng/L, ( P < 0.05)]. Compared with A group, re-epithelization of the wound differentiation in all layers of epidermis were delayed in B group, with more severe wound swelling, exudation, and topical inflammatory response. The wound healing time in B group was (16.3 +/- 1.6) d, which was obviously longer than that in A group [(14.1 +/- 1.8) d, P < 0.05)].

CONCLUSIONSea water immersion combined with scald injury can aggravate the inflammatory response of the wound and delay the wound healing process.

Animals ; Burns ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; analysis ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seawater ; adverse effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of JAK2V617F and MPLW515L/K mutation in patients with slightly elevated platelets (BPC) or hemoglobin (Hb) not meeting the criteria of polycythemia vera (PV) or essential thrombocythemia (ET).

METHODSGenomic DNA from bone marrow or blood mononuclear cells was screened with allele specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) for JAK2V617F and MPLW515L/K mutation. The history of thrombosis was assessed retrospectively by patients files.

RESULTSOf 30 patients, 14 (46.7%) were positive for the JAK2V617F mutation, none of them had the MPLW515L/ K. Five of these 14 patients had a history of thrombosis. Follow-up results were available in 22 patients. Among them, 12 patients with JAK2V617F mutation turned out to be MPD in 6-24 months; only 2 out of 10 patients without this mutation evolved to MPD.

CONCLUSIONJAK2V617F mutation could be one of the diagnosis criteria of early MPD. No MPLW515L/K expression was found in early MPD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; diagnosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Thrombopoietin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

The study was aimed to investigate the expression of VEGF mRNA and VEGF protein in HL-60 cells treated with diallyl disulfide (DADS), and to explore the antileukemic mechanism of DADS in respect of VEGF production. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA were used to detect the expression of VEGF mRNA and secretion of VEGF protein in HL-60 cell lines treated by DADS respectively. The results showed that the expression of VEGF mRNA and secretion of VEGF protein were found in HL-60 cells. The expression of VEGF mRNA and secretion of VEGF protein in HL-60 cells could be down regulated by treatment with 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 microg/mL DADS for 48 and 72 hours and the effects had a dose dependent relationship (r > 0.9, P < 0.01). The differences between DADS treated HL-60 cell groups and the control group were statistically significant (P < 0.01), there were also statistically significant differences among three DADS-treated HL-60 cell groups (P < 0.05). It is concluded that DADS effectively inhibits the proliferation of human leukemia cell line HL-60 cells; DADS exerts its antileukemic effects by reduction of the expression of VEGF mRNA and VEGF protein secretion.
Allyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Disulfides ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDThere are many different materials used for ligament reconstruction. Currently, autograft, allograft, and artificial ligaments are used in the reconstruction. The objective of this study was to explore the clinical result of cruciate ligament reconstruction under arthroscopy.

METHODSEighty-one cases were reconstructed with the LARS ligament under arthroscopy, including 43 cases of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, 20 cases of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury, and 18 cases of ACL combined with PCL injuries of the knee. The follow up period was 10 to 49 months. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm knee score scales were used for functional evaluation. We examined the anterior and posterior stability of the knee with KT-1000.

RESULTSAccording to the Lysholm knee function score scale, the average preoperative score of (44.6+/-1.4) increased to a postoperative score of (82.8+/-2.5) in the ACL group and from (46.6+/-2.3) to (80.8+/-2.0) in the PCL group. In the ACL combined with PCL injury group, the preoperative score increased from (45.2+/-1.2) to (85.5+/-2.3). According to IKDC score standards, in ACL group we evaluated 19 cases as C and 24 cases as D, preoperatively, and postoperatively 27 cases as A, 14 cases as B and two cases as C. In the preoperative PCL group, we had 11 cases defined as C and nine cases as D that resolved to 12 cases as A, seven as B and one case of C in postoperative evaluation. In the ACL combined with PCL injury group we defined four cases as C and 14 as D during preoperative scoring. These patients had postoperative grades of six cases as A, 10 as B, and two cases as C. All of the results have statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONSACL, PCL, or combined ACL and PCL reconstruction using the LARS ligament under arthroscopy is a minimally invasive, safe and effective method to treat cruciate ligament injuries of the knee. Clinical results are satisfactory in the short term.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Prostheses and Implants ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo investigate if there is altered microRNAs (miRNAs) expression in aortic dissection (Debakey Type A) and normal aorta tissue.

METHODSTotal RNA was exacted from aorta of 5 patients with aortic dissection (AD) and four patients without aortic diseases (NA). miRNAs of the aortic tissues were analyzed by miRNA microarray. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to verify the expression of miRNAs in larger sample size (AD = 11 and NA = 9).

RESULTShsa-miR-146b-5p_st, hsa-miR-19a_st and hsa-miR-505_st were significantly upregulated while hsa-miR-1268_st and hsa-miR-939_st were significantly downregulated [fold change > 2, q-value (%) ≤ 5] in AD group compared with NA group. RT-PCR verified hsa-miR-146b-5p_st miRNAs change in AD group.

CONCLUSIONSAltered miRNAs expression might play an essential role in the pathogenesis of aortic dissection formation and hsa-miR-146b-5p_st might serve as a new diagnosis biomarker of aortic dissection.

Aneurysm, Dissecting ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction