Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adefovir dipivoxil(ADV)in treating patients with hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)positive chronic hepatitis B.Methods In this randomized,double blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter trial,210 eligible patients with HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B were recruited and randomized(randomization ratio was 2:1)receiving ADV 10 mg/d for 48 weeks(ADV+ADV group,n=142)or placebo for 24 weeks followed by ADV 10 mg/d for 24 weeks(PLB+ADV group,n=68).The primary endpoint was virological response. The secondary endpoint was serologic response(HBeAg loss rate and HBeAg seroconversion rate) and alanine aminotransferase normalization rate.Results After 24 weeks therapy,mean reduction of hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA level comparing with that of baseline was 3.12 log_(10)copy/mL in ADV +ADV group while it was 0.95 log_(10)copy/mL in PLB+ADV group.The percentages of patients with HBV DNA clearance(HBV DNA level

AIM: To investigate the effects of vitrectomy combined with cataract surgery on the corneal endothelial cells in diabetic retinopathy.METHODS: A retrospective study was designed.160 patients(160 eyes) with diabetic retinopathy from Jan 2015 to Feb 2017 were divided into two groups according to cataract.74 patients(74 eyes) were operated on vitrectomy,and 86 patients(86 eyes) on vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification cataract surgery and capsular bag implantation of foldable intraocular lens.To record the change of corneal endothelial cells density,average cellular area,coefficient of variation and percentage of hexagonal endothelial cell before and after treatment with Topcon corneal specular microscope.RESULTS: Before and after surgery,the results of corneal endothelial cells density,average cellular area,coefficient of variation and percentage of hexagonal endothelial cell in simple vitrectomy group were no significant difference(P>0.05);After treatment corneal endothelial cells density and percentage of hexagonal endothelial cell were changed with statistical difference as the same as average cellular area and coefficient of variation(P<0.05);There were significantly differences in corneal endothelial cells between two groups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: It has certain influence on the corned endothelial cells when using vitrectomy combined with cataract surgery in diabetic retinopathy.For patients with indications,it should be paid attention to protecting the corneal endothelial cells.

Objective:To evaluate the precision of digital impressions taken under simulated clinical impression taking conditions with TRIOS and to compare with the precision of extraoral digitalizations . Methods:Six #14 -#17 epoxy resin dentitions with extracted #16 tooth preparations embedded were made.For each artificial dentition , ( 1 ) a silicone rubber impression was taken with individual tray , poured with type IV plaster ,and digitalized with 3Shape D700 model scanner for 10 times;(2) fastened to a dental simulator , 10 digital impressions for each were taken with 3Shape TRIOS intraoral scanner .To assess the precision , best-fit algorithm and 3 D comparison were conducted between repeated scan models pairwise by Geomagic Qualify 12.0, exported as averaged errors (AE) and color-coded diagrams.Non-parametric analysis was performed to compare the precisions of digital impressions and model images .The color-coded diagrams were used to show the deviations distributions .Results:The mean of AE for digital impressions was 7.058 281 μm, which was greater than that of 4.092 363 μm for the model images (P<0.05).However, the means and medians of AE for digital impressions were no more than 10 μm, which meant that the consistency between the digital impressions was good .The deviations distribution was uniform in the model images ,while nonuniform in the digital impressions with greater deviations lay mainly around the shoulders and interproximal surfaces .Conclusion:Digital impressions with TRIOS are of good precision and up to the clinical standard .Shoulders and interproximal surfaces scanning are more difficult.

The property of Zanthoxyli Pericarpium is warm and the taste is spicy, which can be used as food as well as medicine. Its alkaloids have a wide range of pharmacological activity and have good prospects for development in medicine and food. The resources of Zanthoxyli Pericarpium in China are abundant, and the intensive research on its active ingredients can promote the transformation and upgrading of industrial economy. This article reviewed the research status of extraction, content determination and physiological activity of alkaloids from Zanthoxyli Pericarpium, in order to provide references for efficient use of Zanthoxyli Pericarpium.

OBJECTIVETo determine the relationship between the response to adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) treatment in patients with HBV genotypes B and C of HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSThis clinical trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. A total of 226 eligible patients with HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B were randomized (in a ratio of 2:1) receiving ADV 10 mg/d for 48 weeks (ADV+ADV group) or placebo for 24 weeks followed by ADV 10 mg/d for 24 weeks (PLB+ADV group). The primary efficacy was virologic response. The genotypes of HBV were determined by PCR-restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method using serum samples before therapy. rtN236T and rtA181V mutations were confirmed by sequencing.

RESULTSIn this study, HBV genotype C was 66.7%, genotype B was 25.2%. Genotype B was more common in Guangzhou. Patients with genotype B were much younger than those with the genotype C. Patients with genotype B previously received less anti-HBV therapy. There were no significant difference in virological response (including mean reduction in HBV DNA level from baseline, serum HBV DNA load after treatment and HBV DNA undetectable rate) and serological response (the rate of HBeAg loss and HBeAg seroconversion) between patients infected with genotypes B and C in both treatment arms.

CONCLUSIONThere were no significant difference in virological and serological response to ADV therapy between patients infected with HBV genotype B and C.

Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organophosphonates ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of diammonium glycyrrhizinate on the antiviral therapy with adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSPatients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B enrolled in this study were randomized to receive either ADV 10 mg/d fir 48 weeks or placebo for 24 weeks followed by ADV 10 mg/d for 24 weeks. Antiviral activities of diammonium glycyrrhizinate administered during the trial were studied with respect to virological and serologic response, and ALT normalization.

RESULTSTwenty-one of 142 patients in ADV group vs. 11 of 68 patients in placebo group were treated with diammonium glycyrrhizinate. There was no significant difference in virological, serological and biochemical responses between patients with or without diammonium glycyrrhizinate in both therapy groups. During double-blind period, virological response was significantly worse in patients only receiving diammonium glycyrrhizinate than those combined with ADV.

CONCLUSIONDiammonium glycyrrhizinate had no antiviral activity and exerts no influence on the efficacy of ADV treatment in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B.

Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Organophosphonates ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of acute hypoxia on the electrophysiological properties of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in arteriole. Guinea-pig anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) segments were isolated, and outer layer connective tissue was removed by collagenase A digestion and microforceps. By perfusion with physical saline solution containing no glucose and low oxygen, VSMC model of acute hypoxia was established. The model was studied by whole-cell patch clamp recording technique. Results were shown as below: (1) Acute hypoxia induced an outward current with amplitude of (36.4 ± 9.2) pA at holding potential of -40 mV, and the rest potential (RP) of the VSMCs was hyperpolarized from (-33.2 ± 1.9) mV to (-38.4 ± 1.5) mV. Acute hypoxia increased the outward current of VSMCs in a voltage-dependent manner, this enhancing effect being more pronounced at potentials ranging from 0 to +40 mV. The whole-cell membrane current of VSMCs induced by step command (+40 mV) increased from (650 ± 113) pA to (1 900 ± 197) pA. In the presence of 1 mmol/L tetraethylammonium (TEA), the enhancement of the VSMC membrane current by acute hypoxia was significantly reduced. (2) Acute hypoxia increased the membrane resistance (R(input)) of the VSMCs in AICA from (234 ± 63) MΩ to (1 211 ± 201) MΩ, and decreased the membrane capacitance (C(input)) from (279.3 ± 83.2) pF to (25.4 ± 1.9) pF. In the presence of 30 μmol/L 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18βGA) and 10 mmol/L TEA, the effects of acute hypoxia on the membrane current of VSMCs were nearly abolished. These results suggest that acute hypoxia causes vascular hyperpolarization and vasodilation, possibly by activating big conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (BK(Ca)) of the VSMCs, and inhibits gap junctions between VSMCs, thus improving microcirculation and localizing the hypoxia-induced damage.
Animals ; Arteries ; physiopathology ; Cerebellum ; blood supply ; Female ; Gap Junctions ; metabolism ; physiology ; Guinea Pigs ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channels ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of chronic rapid eye movement sleep deprivation on energy metabolism, FT3, FT4 in serum.

METHODSRapid eye movement sleep deprivation of rats were deprived by flower pot, and then the energy metabolism were detected. The FT3, FT4 level in serum was determined by radioimmunoassay kit.

RESULTSRats after sleep deprivation displayed food intake increased from (75.06 +/- 25.37)g/(d x kg) to (122.30 +/- 20.43)g/(d x kg), body weight substantially decreased from (360.89 +/- 43.01) g to (295.97 +/- 37.95) g, body temperature from (37.62 +/- 1.12) degrees C up to the first (39.00 +/- 0.87) degrees C and then reduced to (37.72 +/- 0.84) degrees C, the basal metabolism rate increased significantly from (1.69 +/- 0.36) mlO2/(g x h) to (2.40 +/- 0.09) mlO2/(g x h), compared with the control group( P < 0.05). Sleep deprivation also resulted significantly lower serum thyroxine levels in comparison with the control, serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) level reduced from (3.38 +/- 0.88) pmol/L to (2.38 +/- 0.83) pmol/L, then free thyroxine(FT4) decreased from (14.62 +/- 3.62) pmol/L to (8.26 +/- 2.80) pmol/L (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRapid eye movement sleep deprivation can change energy metabolism remarkable, as well as the alteration of FT3, FT4 levels in serum.

Animals ; Energy Metabolism ; physiology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sleep Deprivation ; blood ; metabolism ; Sleep, REM ; physiology ; Thyroxine ; blood ; Time Factors ; Triiodothyronine ; analogs & derivatives ; blood

As medicine and food plants, the market demand of Zamthoxyli Pericarpium is extensive, and the sanshool in Zamthoxyli Pericarpium is getting attention gradually. However, because of the low content and not establishing rating evaluation method for sanshool and lack of standards, the research on substance basis and physiological activity is necessary. This article reviewed the extraction, separation, purification and biological activities of sanshoolin Zamthoxyli Pericarpium in recent years to provide development and utilization of Zamthoxyli Pericarpium.

Spontaneous, rhythmical contractions, or vasomotion, can be recorded from cerebral vessels under both normal physiological and pathophysiological conditions. We investigated the cellular mechanisms underlying vasomotion in the cerebral basilar artery (BA) of Wistar rats. Pressure myograph video microscopy was used to study the changes in cerebral artery vessel diameter. The main results of this study were as follows: (1) The diameters of BA and middle cerebral artery (MCA) were 314.5±15.7 μm (n=15) and 233.3±10.1 μm (n=12) at 10 mmHg working pressure (P<0.05), respectively. Pressure-induced vasomotion occurred in BA (22/28, 78.6%), but not in MCA (4/31, 12.9%) from 0 to 70 mmHg working pressure. As is typical for vasomotion, the contractile phase of the response was more rapid than the relaxation phase; (2) The frequency of vasomotion response and the diameter were gradually increased in BA from 0 to 70 mmHg working pressure. The amplitude of the rhythmic contractions was relatively constant once stable conditions were achieved. The frequency of contractions was variable and the highest value was 16.7±4.7 (n=13) per 10 min at 60 mmHg working pressure; (3) The pressure-induced vasomotion of the isolated BA was attenuated by nifedipine, NFA, 18β-GA, TEA or in Ca(2+)-free medium. Nifedipine, NFA, 18β-GA or Ca(2+)-free medium not only dampened vasomotion, but also kept BA in relaxation state. In contrasts, TEA kept BA in contraction state. These results suggest that the pressure-induced vasomotion of the isolated BA results from an interaction between Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels (CaCCs) currents and K(Ca) currents. We hypothesize that vasomotion of BA depends on the depolarizing of the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to activate CaCCs. Depolarization in turn activates voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels, synchronizing contractions of adjacent cells through influx of extracellular calcium and the flow of calcium through gap junctions. Subsequent calcium-induced calcium release from ryanodine-sensitive stores activates K(Ca) channels and hyperpolarizes VSMCs, which provides a negative feedback loop for regenerating the contractile cycle.