Objective To study the pharmacokinetic characteristics of clobazam tablet in Chinese healthy subjects and evaluate the bioequivalence of test preparation(T)and reference preparation(R)under fasting or fed conditions.Methods A randomized,open-label,single-dose,two-period,two-way crossover bioequivalence trial was performed.34 healthy subjects were enrolled in fasting study and 30 in fed study.Each subjects received a single dose of T 20 mg or R 20 mg with a washout period of 28 days.Plasma concentrations of clobazam and its active metabolite,N-desmethylclobazam were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS).The pharmacokinetic parameters of clobazam and N-desmethylclobazam were calculated by non-compartment model.Geometric mean values for the T/R ratios of clobazam's main pharmacokinetic parameters and their corresponding 90 percent confidence intervals(CI)were evaluated to assess bioequivalence of the two preparations.Results In fasting study,the 90 percent CI of the geometric mean values for the T/R ratios were 94.46 to 103.82 percent for Cmax,99.64 to 103.62 percent for AUC0-tand 99.39 to 103.51 percent for AUC0-∞,respectively.In fed study,the 90 percent CI of the geometric mean values for the T/R ratios of were 93.86 to 106.02 percent for Cmax,100.37 to 104.51 percent for AUC0-tand 100.71 to 104.63 percent for AUC0-∞,respectively.Conclusion In this study,the 90 percent CI of the geometric mean values of Cmax,AUC0-tand AUC0-∞ for T/R ratios were all within the acceptable bioequivalence limits of 80 to 125 percent for clobazam.Therefore two formulations were considered bioequivalent.

Objective: To analyze the correlations between intraoperative ultrasound and MRI metrics of the spinal cord in degenerative cervical myelopathy and identify novel potential predictive ultrasonic indicators of neurological recovery for degenerative cervical myelopathy. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients who underwent French-door laminoplasty for multilevel degenerative cervical myelopathy were followed up for 12 months. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were assessed preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. Maximum spinal cord compression and compression rates were measured and calculated using both intraoperative ultrasound imaging and preoperative T2-weight (T2W) MRI. Signal change rates of the spinal cord on preoperative T2W MRI and gray value ratios of dorsal and ventral spinal cord hyperechogenicity on intraoperative ultrasound imaging were measured and calculated. Correlations between intraoperative ultrasound metrics, MRI metrics, and the recovery rate JOA scores were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: The postoperative JOA scores improved significantly, with a mean recovery rate of 65.0 ± 20.3% (p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between the operative ultrasound metrics and MRI metrics. The gray value ratios of the spinal cord hyperechogenicity was negatively correlated with the recovery rate of JOA scores (ρ = -0.638, p = 0.001), while the ventral and dorsal gray value ratios of spinal cord hyperechogenicity were negatively correlated with the recovery rate of JOA-motor scores (ρ = -0.582, p = 0.004) and JOA-sensory scores (ρ = -0.452, p = 0.035), respectively. The dorsal gray value ratio was significantly higher than the ventral gray value ratio (p < 0.001), while the recovery rate of JOA-motor scores was better than that of JOA-sensory scores at 12 months post-surgery (p = 0.028). Conclusion For degenerative cervical myelopathy, the correlations between intraoperative ultrasound and preoperative T2W MRI metrics were not significant. Gray value ratios of the spinal cord hyperechogenicity and dorsal and ventral spinal cord hyperechogenicity were significantly correlated with neurological recovery at 12 months postoperatively.

Objective: To analyze the correlations between intraoperative ultrasound and MRI metrics of the spinal cord in degenerative cervical myelopathy and identify novel potential predictive ultrasonic indicators of neurological recovery for degenerative cervical myelopathy. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients who underwent French-door laminoplasty for multilevel degenerative cervical myelopathy were followed up for 12 months. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were assessed preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. Maximum spinal cord compression and compression rates were measured and calculated using both intraoperative ultrasound imaging and preoperative T2-weight (T2W) MRI. Signal change rates of the spinal cord on preoperative T2W MRI and gray value ratios of dorsal and ventral spinal cord hyperechogenicity on intraoperative ultrasound imaging were measured and calculated. Correlations between intraoperative ultrasound metrics, MRI metrics, and the recovery rate JOA scores were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: The postoperative JOA scores improved significantly, with a mean recovery rate of 65.0 ± 20.3% (p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between the operative ultrasound metrics and MRI metrics. The gray value ratios of the spinal cord hyperechogenicity was negatively correlated with the recovery rate of JOA scores (ρ = -0.638, p = 0.001), while the ventral and dorsal gray value ratios of spinal cord hyperechogenicity were negatively correlated with the recovery rate of JOA-motor scores (ρ = -0.582, p = 0.004) and JOA-sensory scores (ρ = -0.452, p = 0.035), respectively. The dorsal gray value ratio was significantly higher than the ventral gray value ratio (p < 0.001), while the recovery rate of JOA-motor scores was better than that of JOA-sensory scores at 12 months post-surgery (p = 0.028). Conclusion For degenerative cervical myelopathy, the correlations between intraoperative ultrasound and preoperative T2W MRI metrics were not significant. Gray value ratios of the spinal cord hyperechogenicity and dorsal and ventral spinal cord hyperechogenicity were significantly correlated with neurological recovery at 12 months postoperatively.

Objective In order to understand the chondrogenesis differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in either hydrogel or pellet culture,we applied the two methods and reveal the possible mechanism and for further investigation.Methods In C3H10T1/2 chondrogenic differentiation,we apply extracellular matrix hydrogel mixed the cell suspensions of freshly prepared (including scaling chondroitin sulfate,sodium hyaluronate synthesis and cross-linking agent) co-culture system and high cell density pellet formed by centrifugation.Chondrogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 was induced by treatment with TGF-β3 (10 ng/ml),dexamethasone (100 nmol/L),ascorbic acid (50 ug/ml),1 ∶ 100 dilution ITS+Premix and high glucose-DMEM medium with 0.2 volume fraction fetal bovine serum.And high glucose-DMEM medium with 0.2 volume fraction fetal bovine serum is for control group.Histochemistry staining was utilized to identify extracellular proteoglycan and real-time PCR was performed to assess gene expression of SOX9,collagen Ⅱa1/Ⅹa1 and aggrecan for the 1st,2nd and 3rd week respectively.Results In the hydrogel model for 3 weeks chondrogenic differentiation,the expression of master transcription factor SOX9 was upregulated in both culture models.While the marker genes of collagen Ⅱa1 and collagen Ⅹa1 were all promoted in hydrogel culture,the aggrecan gene expression was peaked in pellet culture.In addition,immunocytochemistry analysis of the hydrogel and pellet for 3 week illustrated the expression of extracellular matrix and more obviously in the hydrogel model.Conclusion In compared with pellet culture,the MSCs in the hydrogel were more likely promoted chondrogenesis leading to the eventual expression of marker genes.And the hydrogel would be applied in regeneration of cartilage injury.

We report here a human case of Taenia asiatica infection which was confirmed by genetic analyses in Dali, China. A patient was found to have symptoms of taeniasis with discharge of tapeworm proglottids. By sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene, we observed nucleotide sequence identity of 99% with T. asiatica and 96% with T. saginata. Using the cytochrome b (cytb) gene, 99% identity with T. asiatica and 96% identity with T. saginata were found. Our findings suggest that taeniasis of people in Dali, China may be mainly caused by T. asiatica.
Adult ; Animals ; China ; Cytochromes b/genetics ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid ; Taenia/classification/genetics/isolation & purification/*physiology ; Taeniasis/*parasitology

The tapeworm Taenia solium is an important human zoonotic parasite that causes great economic loss and also endangers public health. At present, an effective vaccine that will prevent infection and chemotherapy without any side effect remains to be developed. In this study, codon usage patterns in the T. solium genome were examined through 8,484 protein-coding genes. Neutrality analysis showed that T. solium had a narrow GC distribution, and a significant correlation was observed between GC12 and GC3. Examination of an NC (ENC vs GC3s)-plot showed a few genes on or close to the expected curve, but the majority of points with low-ENC (the effective number of codons) values were detected below the expected curve, suggesting that mutational bias plays a major role in shaping codon usage. The Parity Rule 2 plot (PR2) analysis showed that GC and AT were not used proportionally. We also identified 26 optimal codons in the T. solium genome, all of which ended with either a G or C residue. These optimal codons in the T. solium genome are likely consistent with tRNAs that are highly expressed in the cell, suggesting that mutational and translational selection forces are probably driving factors of codon usage bias in the T. solium genome.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Codon/*genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; *Genome, Helminth ; Helminth Proteins/*genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Taenia solium/*genetics

Neocryptotanshinone (NCTS) is a natural product isolated from traditional Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. In this study, we investigated its anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage (RAW264.7) cells. MTT results showed that NCTS partly reversed LPS-induced cytotoxicity. Real-time PCR results showed that NCTS suppressed LPS-induced mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Moreover, NCTS could decrease LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. Western blotting results showed that NCTS could down-regulate LPS-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), p-IκBα, p-IKKβ and p-NF-κB p65 without affecting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In addition, NCTS inhibited LPS-induced p-NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. In conclusion, these data demonstrated that NCTS showed anti-inflammatory effect by suppression of NF-κB and iNOS signaling pathways.

PURPOSE: Isocryptotanshinone (ICTS) is a natural bioactive product that is isolated from the roots of the widely used medical herb Salvia miltiorrhiza. However, few reports exist on the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of ICTS. Here, we report that ICTS has anticancer activity and describe the mechanism underlying this effect. METHODS: The antiproliferative effect of ICTS was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and clonogenic assays. The effect of ICTS on the cell cycle was measured using flow cytometry. Apoptosis was determined by Hoechst 33342 staining, DNA fragmentation assays, and Western blotting for apoptotic proteins. Finally, the effect of ICTS on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: ICTS significantly inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, HepG2 human liver cancer cells, and A549 human lung cancer cells in vitro. Among the tested cell lines, MCF-7 cells showed the highest sensitivity to ICTS. ICTS significantly inhibited colony formation by MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, exposure of MCF-7 cells to ICTS induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Hoechst 33342 staining and Western blot analysis for apoptotic proteins suggested that ICTS induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. In addition, ICTS activated MAPK signaling in MCF-7 cells by inducing time- and concentration-dependent phosphorylation of JNK, ERK, and p38 MAPK. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that ICTS inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and activating MAPK signaling pathways.
Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Line ; DNA Fragmentation ; Flow Cytometry ; G1 Phase ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Lung Neoplasms ; MCF-7 Cells* ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Salvia miltiorrhiza

Objective To analyze changes in lactic acid level in patients with late-onset intracranial hematoma after craniocerebral injury and investigate their relativity.Methods Forty-eight patients with late-onset intracranial hematoma after craniocerebral injury treated in our hospital between May 2009 and December 2012 were enrolled as observation group.There were 32 males and 16 females.Moreover,50 cases checked up in our hospital during the same period were studied as health population controls,including 35 males and 15 females.Level of lactic acid was measured on admission,at the time of definite diagnosis as well as at days 7 and 14 after treatment and compared between groups.Results Level of lactic acid was (1.77 ±0.21) mmol/L in control group and (1.82 ± 0.25) mmol/L in observation group respectively on admission (t =1.070,P ＞ 0.05) ; Level of lactic acid was (3.32 ± 0.89) mmol/L in observation group at the time of definite diagnosis,which increased to (3.74 ± 1.16) mmol/L at days 7 after treatment and decreased to (1.89 ±0.75) mmol/L at days 14 after treatment.When diagnosed and treated for 7 days,level of lactic acid differed significantly between the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).Level of lactic acid related to craniocerebral injury at each time point,but higher correlation coefficient was observed at the time of definite diagnosis and 7 days after treatment with 0.986 and 0.989 respectively.Conclusion Level of lactic acid relates to late-onset intracranial hematoma after craniocerebral injury,which can be used as reference for progression of the disease.

Wnt proteins are a family of secreted glycoproteins that are evolutionarily conserved and considered to be involved in extensive developmental processes in metazoan organisms. The characterization of wnt genes may improve understanding the parasite's development. In the present study, a wnt4 gene encoding 491amino acids was amplified from cDNA of metacestodes of Taenia solium using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Bioinformatics tools were used for sequence analysis. The conserved domain of the wnt gene family was predicted. The expression profile of Wnt4 was investigated using real-time PCR. Wnt4 expression was found to be dramatically increased in scolex evaginated cysticerci when compared to invaginated cysticerci. In situ hybridization showed that wnt4 gene was distributed in the posterior end of the worm along the primary body axis in evaginated cysticerci. These findings indicated that wnt4 may take part in the process of cysticerci evagination and play a role in scolex/bladder development of cysticerci of T. solium.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cysticercosis/pathology ; Cysticercus/enzymology/*genetics ; DNA, Helminth/*genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sus scrofa ; Swine ; Swine Diseases ; Taenia solium/embryology/enzymology/*genetics ; Wnt4 Protein/*genetics