Objective To express and characterize the virus-like particles( VLPs) of H5 subtype containing of hemagglutinin ( HA ) and matrix 1 ( M1 ) protein by using Baculovirus-insect cells .Methods Full length genes encoding HA protein from the A/Indonesia/05/2005(H5N1) strain and the M1 protein from the A/Anhui/01/2005 ( H5N1 ) strain were cloned into a baculovirus expression vector to construct pFBD-M1-HA.The expression of HA and M1 proteins were detected by Western blot and indirect immunoflu-orescence after the transfection of Spodoptra frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells with recombinant baculovirus.Pu-rified VLPs were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and visualized with transmission electron microscope.The biologi-cal activity of purified VLPs was detected by hemagglutination test.Results The HA and M1 proteins of H5 subtype expressed by baculovirus-insect cells could be self-assembled into the functional mature VLPs.The hemagglutination titer of VLPs was as high as 1024 HAU/50μl.Conclusion The H5 subtype VLPs as pre-pared in this study would pave a way for the development of a candidate recombinant A ( H5) vaccine.

Objective Explore the change of IL-1β and IL-18 expression in pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline.Methods Divide the mouses into two groups, control group and experimental group (n=10).Establish rats pulmonary hypertension model induced by monocrotaline.Detect the model by ultrasound, myocardial cells HE dyeing and tunnel test;ELISA was used to detect the serum biological markers NF-κB, COX2, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and NO;Immunohistochemical was used to detect the expression level of IL-1β and IL-18 in the lung tissue;the protein change of NLRP3 in the lung tissue was detected by Western blot.Results Serum biological markers of NF-κB, COX2, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and NO are significantly increased in PAH rats(P<0.05);The expression of IL-1β, IL-18 in the lung tissue increased obviously(P<0.05);The NLRP3 protein expression was significantly higher in experimental group.Conclusions Changes of NLRP3 effect increase expression of IL-1β and IL-18and which may play an important role in pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline.

Taking the Ligustrum lucidum extract as an example, this study investigated the influence of external mechanical forces under different processing conditions on the crystallographic solid form and the key parameter of drug dissolution rate, so as to provide guidance for the preparation and quality control of traditional Chinese medicine preparations. Under different pulverization and tableting conditions, the change of crystallographic solid form of L. lucidum extract was observed by polarizing light microscope. Meanwhile, the effect of this change on the dissolution rate was investigated, and the mathematical relationship between crystal content and dissolution rate was analyzed. The results showed that the process of ball milling and tableting had a significant impact on the crystallographic solid form of L. lucidum extract. The amorphous extract displayed crystal transformation, which induced a significant decline in dissolution rate. Further studies revealed that there was a negative linear relationship between crystal content and dissolution rate. The results of this study indicated that the crystallographic solid form transformation of traditional Chinese medicine extracts might occur during the preparation process, which may cause potential risks to the quality of traditional Chinese medicine preparations. It is suggested that we should pay attention to and strengthen the investigation of the crystallographic solid form during the preparation process, so as to guarantee the safety, effectiveness, and quality controllability of traditional Chinese medicine preparations.

BACKGROUNDIncretin-based therapies provide additional options for treating type 2 diabetes. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of exenatide monotherapy in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODSA 26-week, metformin controlled, parallel-group study was conducted among antidiabetic drug-naive obese patients aged > 18 years, and with type 2 diabetes. Participating patients were randomly assigned to receive exenatide or metformin treatments.

RESULTSFifty-nine patients (age (50.5 ± 8.6) years, body mass index (BMI) (30.2 ± 1.6) kg/m(2), and hemoglobin A1C (HbA(1C) (8.2 ± 1.2)%) were enrolled in the study. Glucose control and weight reduction improved in both groups receiving treatment. HbA(1C) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 2 hour glycemia reduction with exenatide was superior to that obtained with metformin ((-2.10 ± 1.79)% vs. (-1.66 ± 1.38)%, (-5.11 ± 2.68) mmol/L vs. (-2.80 ± 2.70) mmol/L, P < 0.05). Fast plasma glucose (FPG) reduction was not significantly different between the two groups ((-1.8 ± 2.0) mmol/L vs. (-1.6 ± 1.7) mmol/L, P > 0.05). Patients treated with exenatide achieved HbA(1C) of < 7% (97% of patients) and < 6.5% (79%) at end-point, vs. 93% and 73% with metformin (P > 0.05). Greater weight reduction was also achieved with exenatide ((-5.80 ± 3.66) kg) than with metformin ((-3.81 ± 1.38) kg, P < 0.01). Homeostasis model assessment of beta-cell function (HOMA-B) was not significantly increased, but the insulinogenic index and HOMA for insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S) were greatly improved in the exenatide group (P < 0.05). Nausea was the most common adverse effect in exenatide treatment (30% vs. 8%; P < 0.05), but most cases were of mild to moderate intensity. One case in the exenatide group was withdrawn early because of severe nausea. Hypoglycemia events were often observed during the first 4 weeks, with 12% of patients in the exenatide and 3.2% in metformin groups, respectively (P < 0.05). No incidents of severe hypoglycemia were reported.

CONCLUSIONSExenatide demonstrated more beneficial effects on HbA(1C), weight reduction and insulin resistance during 26 weeks of treatment, but there were more hypoglycemic events and mild-to-moderate nausea compared with metformin. These results suggested that exenatide monotherapy may provide a viable treatment option in newly developed type 2 diabetes.

Adult ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; drug therapy ; Female ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; chemically induced ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Metformin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Obesity ; blood ; drug therapy ; Peptides ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Venoms ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Weight Loss ; drug effects

Adenomyosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; CA-125 Antigen ; metabolism ; Endometrial Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endometriosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged

Objective To understand the mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP) infection degree in community children by testing specific IgM antibodies against MP in different age bracket group in Shanghai Meilong area. Methods Using random sampling method, blood specimens of 1 817 children from kindergartens and primary or junior high schools in Meilong area were obtained. Children were from 2 to 15 years old, 969 males, 848 females. The specimens were tested for IgM antibodies against MP using with gelatin particle agglutination test. The data were statistically analyzed using with ?2 test. Results Five hundred and fifty-nine (30.7%) IgM antibodies against MP were positive from 1 817 blood specimens. The positive percentages were 27.34% and 34.66% for males and females, which had significant difference(?2=11.383 P=0.001). The higher percentage was detected from kindergarten children than primary and junior high school children(P=0). The positive percentages of anti-mycoplasma IgM had no significant differences between different kindergartens and primary schools(P=0.526,0.232). On the contrary, between different junior high schools, there were siginificant differences (?2=9.825 P=0.002). Conclusions MP is an important pathogenic mycoplasma cause for respiratory tract infections in Meilong area. It is relative to childhood asthma. The prevention and cure of MP infection for children shall be paid more attention.

Objective To investigate the current status of endemic fluorosis in Shandong province,and to provide a scientific basis for the development of preventive strategies.Methods In accordance with the requirements of the national Technical Implementation Plan for Endcmic Disease Control Project in 2009 and Drinking-Water-Borne Endemic Fluorosis Monitoring Program (trial),ten counties were selected to carry out the epidemiological investigation,to understand the progress and the effect of the water improvement projects; three villages were selected in each county,to determine fluoride content of drinking water,to check dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 and skeletal fluorosis of adults over the age of 25.Water fluoride content was determined by fluoride ion selective electrode method,children dental fluorosis was diagnosed with Dean method and adults skeletal fluorosis by the National Standard for Diagnosis of Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis (WS 192-2008).Results There were a total of 687 improved-water defluoridation projects of the 10 counties,the improved-water rate was 83.34％ (3247/3896).The investigation was taken place in 84 improved-water projects of the 10 counties,the projects running normally accounted for 98.81％ (83/84); 41 projects had water fluoride concentration ≤1.20 mg/L,and the pass rate was 48.81％(41/84),with the maximum water fluoride as 5.76 mg/L.In the 26 villages with improved-water projects of the 10 counties,villages with a mean water fluoride ≤ 1.20 mg/L were 15,which accounted for 57.69％ (15/26),＞ 1.20 mg/L were 11,which accounted for 42.31％ (11/26),with the maximum water fluoride as 5.58 mg/L.In the 4 yet to improve water quality villages of the 10 counties,1 village had mean water fluoride ≤ 1.20 mg/L,3 villages had mean water fluoride ＞ 1.20 mg/L,with the maximum water fluoride as 2.92 mg/L.A total of 1331 children aged 8 to 12 were checked in the 26 improved water villages,the detection rate of dental fluorosis was 59.73％ (795/1331),the index of dental fluorosis was 1.17 and the defect rate was 10.14％ (123/1331).A total of 138 children aged 8 to 12 were checked in the 4 yet to improve water quality villages,the detection rate of dental fluorosis was 51.45％(71/138),the index of dental fluorosis was 0.95 and the defect rate was 0.72％ (1/138).In water quality improved villages and yet to improve water quality villages,X-ray detection rates of skeletal fluorosis were 8.80％ (113/1284) and 3.05％ (6/197),respectively,in adults over the age of 25.Conclusions The water fluoride content of improved-water defluoridation projects exceeds the national standard seriously and fluorosis has not been effectively controlled in Shandong province.

Objective To investigate the correlations of altitude and duration on the plateau with the heart rate and oxygen saturation of young males.Methods A total 483 cases of males garrisoned on the plateau were enrolled.Informa-tion on age, underlying diseases, length of service on the plateau and garrison areas was collected.The heart rate and oxygen saturation were measured,and the correlations of altitude and duration on the plateau with the heart rate and oxygen saturation were analyzed.Results There was no statistically significant difference in oxygen saturation between the group stationed on the plateau for more than 6 years and the group stationed for less than 6 years.There was significant difference in blood oxygen saturation and heart rate between the two groups.Oxygen saturation was negatively correlated with altitude. Heart rate was positively correlated with altitude.Conclusion Young males who are stationed more than 4500 m above sea level are at high risk of chronic high altitude disease.The risk of chronic high altitude disease can increased with the length of service and age,but further confirmation is meeded.

In order to guarantee the quality of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the crystallization transformation of complex extracts of TCMs and the influence of solid form on their physicochemical properties were studied.The extract of total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata was taken as a model.Crystallization transformation happened when lofting under different conditions, and the intrinsic dissolution tests were carried out.It was found that humidity was the key factor to induce crystallization of total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata.The greater the wettability was, the more the crystallization was.The dissolution rate of total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata with the most crystallization amount significantly decreased by 96.51% compared to the sample without crystallization.After further simulating the preparation process of total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata, it was found that the wet granulation process with introduced water would also lead to crystallization and reduced dissolution rate.As for all crystallization samples, there was an inversely proportional relationship between the dissolution rates and the amount of crystallization.The risk of crystallization existed both in the storage and preparation process of TCM extracts.Crystallization would significantly affect the dissolution rate, and thus the quality of TCM products.In this study, the crystallization transformation of amorphous complex TCM extracts was discovered, and the effect of the crystallization transformation on its dissolution behavior was systematically studied, which provides a new research idea for assuring the quality of TCM products and promoting the improvement of TCM preparation level.

Topical preparations for skin, including the commonly used dosage forms of ointments, creams, gels, patches and plasters, are convenient and can avoid the first-pass effect of drugs.Rheological study, which describes the flow characteristics and mechanical properties of products relevant to their Critical Quality Attributes, has become the main focus for topical preparations.Liquid and solid behaviors of products are usually investigated via steady rheology as well as dynamic rheology.This article reviews the research on topical preparations for skin and the data analysis models based on two rheological methods, aiming to provide some references for the rheological evaluation of topical preparations.