Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease predominantly based on joint lesions with an extremely high disability and deformity rate. Several drugs have been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, but their use is limited by suboptimal bioavailability, serious adverse effects, and nonnegligible first-pass effects. In contrast, transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDSs) can avoid these drawbacks and improve patient compliance, making them a promising option for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Of course, TDDSs also face unique challenges, as the physiological barrier of the skin makes drug delivery somewhat limited. To overcome this barrier and maximize drug delivery efficiency, TDDSs have evolved in terms of the principle of transdermal facilitation and transdermal facilitation technology, and different generations of TDDSs have been derived, which have significantly improved transdermal efficiency and even achieved individualized controlled drug delivery. In this review, we summarize the different generations of transdermal drug delivery systems, the corresponding transdermal strategies, and their applications in the treatment of RA.

Objective:To develop a pretest probability model of obstructive coronary artery disease with machine learning based on multi-site Chinese population data.Methods:Chinese regiStry in early deTection and Risk strAtificaTion of coronary plaques (C-Strat) study is a prospective multi-center cohort study, in which consecutive patients with suspected obstructive coronary artery disease and ≥64 detector row coronary computed tomography angioplasty (CCTA) evaluation were included. Data from the patients were randomly split into a training set (70%) and a test set (30%). More than 50% of coronary artery stenosis by CCTA was defined as positive outcome. A boosted ensemble algorithm (XGBoost), 10-fold cross-validation and Bayesian optimization were used to establish a new prediction model-CARDIACS(pretest probability model from Chinese registry in eARly Detection and rIsk stratificAtion of Coronary plaques Study), and a logistic regression was used to establish a model-LOGISTIC in training set. The test set was used for validation and comparison among CARDIACS, LOGISTIC, UDFM (updated Diamond-Forrester Model) and DFCASS(Diamond-Forrester and CASS).Results:The study population included 29 455 patients with age of (57.0±9.7) years and 44.8% women, of whom 19.1% (5 622/29 455) had obstructive coronary artery disease. For CARDIACS, the age, the reason for visit and the body mass index (BMI) were the most important predictive variables. In the independent test set, the area under the curve (AUC) of CARDIACS was 0.72 (95% CI 0.70-0.73), which was significantly superior to that of LOGISTIC (AUC 0.69, 95% CI 0.68-0.71, P=0.015), UDFM (AUC 0.64, 95% CI 0.62-0.65, P<0.001) and DFCASS (AUC 0.66, 95% CI 0.64-0.67, P<0.001), respectively. Conclusion:Based on Chinese population, the study developed a new pretest probability model--CARDIACS, which was superior to the traditional models. CARDIACS is expected to assist in the clinical decision-making for patients with stable chest pain.

Objective: Evidence supports the efficacy of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-based risk scores in cardiovascular risk stratification of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to compare two CCTAbased risk score algorithms, Leiden and Confirm scores, in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and suspected CAD. Materials and Methods: This single-center prospective cohort study consecutively included 1241 DM patients (54.1% male, 60.2 ± 10.4 years) referred for CCTA for suspected CAD in 2015–2017. Leiden and Confirm scores were calculated and stratified as < 5 (reference), 5–20, and > 20 for Leiden and < 14.3 (reference), 14.3–19.5, and > 19.5 for Confirm. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were defined as the composite outcomes of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and unstable angina requiring hospitalization. The Cox model and Kaplan–Meier method were used to evaluate the effect size of the risk scores on MACE. The area under the curve (AUC) at the median follow-up time was also compared between score algorithms. Results: During a median follow-up of 31 months (interquartile range, 27.6–37.3 months), 131 of MACE were recorded, including 17 cardiovascular deaths, 28 nonfatal MIs, 64 unstable anginas requiring hospitalization, and 22 strokes. An incremental incidence of MACE was observed in both Leiden and Confirm scores, with an increase in the scores (log-rank p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, compared with Leiden score < 5, the hazard ratios for Leiden scores of 5–20 and > 20 were 2.37 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.53–3.69; p < 0.001) and 4.39 (95% CI: 2.40–8.01; p < 0.001), respectively, while the Confirm score did not demonstrate a statistically significant association with the risk of MACE. The Leiden score showed a greater AUC of 0.840 compared to 0.777 for the Confirm score (p < 0.001). Conclusion CCTA-based risk score algorithms could be used as reliable cardiovascular risk predictors in patients with DM and suspected CAD, among which the Leiden score outperformed the Confirm score in predicting MACE.

Silibinin exhibits antidiabetic potential by preserving the mass and function of pancreatic β-cells through up-regulation of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) expression. However, the underlying protective mechanism of silibinin in pancreatic β-cells is still unclear. In the current study, we sought to determine whether ERα acts as the target of silibinin for the modulation of antioxidative response in pancreatic β-cells under high glucose and high fat conditions. Our in vivo study revealed that a 4-week oral administration of silibinin (100 mg/kg/day) decreased fasting blood glucose with a concurrent increase in levels of serum insulin in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats. Moreover, expression of ERα, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in pancreatic β-cells in pancreatic islets was increased by silibinin treatment. Accordingly, silibinin (10 μM) elevated viability, insulin biosynthesis, and insulin secretion of high glucose/palmitate-treated INS-1 cells accompanied by increased expression of ERα, Nrf2, and HO-1 as well as decreased reactive oxygen species production in vitro. Treatment using an ERα antagonist (MPP) in INS-1 cells or silencing ERα expression in INS-1 and NIT-1 cells with siRNA abolished the protective effects of silibinin. Our study suggests that silibinin activates the Nrf2-antioxidative pathways in pancreatic β-cells through regulation of ERα expression.

Recently, liposomes have been widely used in cancer therapeutics, but their anti-tumor effects are suboptimal due to limited tumor penetration. To solve this problem, researchers have made significant efforts to optimize liposomal diameters and potentials, but little attention has been paid to liposomal membrane rigidity. Herein, we sought to demonstrate the effects of cholesterol-tuned liposomal membrane rigidity on tumor penetration and anti-tumor effects. In this study, liposomes composed of hydrogenated soybean phospholipids (HSPC), 1,2-distearoyl--glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine--[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (DSPE-PEG) and different concentrations of cholesterol were prepared. It was revealed that liposomal membrane rigidity decreased with the addition of cholesterol. Moderate cholesterol content conferred excellent diffusivity to liposomes in simulated diffusion medium, while excessive cholesterol limited the diffusion process. We concluded that the differences of the diffusion rates likely stemmed from the alterations in liposomal membrane rigidity, with moderate rigidity leading to improved diffusion. Next, the tumor penetration and the anti-tumor effects were analyzed. The results showed that liposomes with moderate rigidity gained excellent tumor penetration and enhanced anti-tumor effects. These findings illustrate a feasible and effective way to improve tumor penetration and therapeutic efficacy of liposomes by changing the cholesterol content, and highlight the importance of liposomal membrane rigidity.

Objective To improve the stability of epirubicin long circulation liposomes via lyophilizing technology and preliminarily evaluate their quality. Methods The effect of the various cryoprotectant,different pre-freezing and total drying time on the preparation was analyzed. The stability of the lyophilized powder was tested at (25±2) ℃ and (60±10)% relative humidity for 3 months. Results The protective agent trehalose to liposomes was 31. The freeze-drying was conducted with pre-freezing temperature at -70 ℃,precooling for 8 h and total drying for 24 h. There were no significant differences in particle size,encapsulation efficiency and drug content of lyophilized long-circulating liposomes compared with those un-lyophilized. After 3 months under the accelerated condition,it had good redispersibility, entrapment rate (>94%) and drug content (>99%) . Conclusion Lyophilizing the long-circulation epirubicin liposomes can effectively improve the stability of the preparation.

OBJECTlVE To investigate the effect of stretch on muscarinic receptor- and 5-hydroxytryptamine( 5-HT)receptor-mediated contractiIe responses in isoIated circuIar muscIe strips taken from the rat stomach. METHODS The contractiIe responses to carbachoI(CCh)0.001-30 μmoI·L-1 or 5-HT 0.0001 -30 μmoI·L-1 administered cumuIativeIy were recorded in isoIated circuIar muscIe strips taken from the gastric fundus,body,cardia and pyIorus of rats under different preIoads of 1.0,1.5,2.0, 2.5 and 3. 0 g,but a singIe concentration of CCh 0. 3 μmoI·L-1 was administered to the antrum. RESULTS The -Log EC50 vaIue for CCh in the isoIated circuIar muscIe strips of the gastric fundus, body and pyIorus under 1.0 g preIoad was the Iargest,but decreased significantIy with higher preIoads (P﹤0.05,P﹤0.01). A simiIar resuIt was obtained in the isoIated circuIar muscIe strips of the gastric body when 5-HT was used as an agonist. The Emax vaIue of contractiIe responses to CCh and 5-HT in the cir-cuIar muscIe strips of the gastric cardia under 3.0 g preIoad was increased by 117.4% and 75.7% com-pared to that under 1.0 g preIoad. The Emax vaIue of contractiIe responses to 5-HT in the circuIar muscIe strips of the gastric body under 3.0 g preIoad was aIso increased by 115.9% when compared to 1.0 g preIoad. The Emax( g) vaIue of contractiIe responses to CCh in four types of muscIe strips was 10.453±2.956(cardia under 3.0 g preIoad),13.878±2.618(fundus under 2.5 g preIoad),10.244±1.843 (gastric body under 2.5 g preIoad)and 2.585±1.098(pyIorus under 2.5 g preIoad),respectiveIy. The Emax(g)vaIue of contractiIe responses to 5-HT in three types of muscIe strips was 4.363±1.705(cardia under 3.0 g preIoad),3.931±0.615(fundus under 3.0 g preIoad)and 3.161±0.680(gastric body under 3.0 g preIoad),respectiveIy. CONCLUSlON 0.5 g or 1.0 g preIoad is inadequate for accurate determi-nation of contractiIe responses mediated by muscarinic receptors and 5-HT receptors in isoIated circuIar muscIe strips taken from the rat gastric cardia,fundus,body and pyIorus,but 2.0 g preIoad is optimaI for investigating muscarine receptor- or 5-HT receptor-mediated contractiIe responses of isoIated gastric strips of rats.

The anti-tumor activity of folate receptor targeting docetaxel-loaded membrane-modified liposomes (FA-PDCT-L) was investigated in vitro and in vivo. FA-PDCT-L was prepared by organic solvent injection method. Transmission electron microscope, dynamic light scattering and electrophoretic light scattering were employed to study the physicochemical parameters of FA-PDCT-L. The inhibitory effects of docetaxel injection (DCT-I), non-modified DCT liposomes (DCT-L) and FA-PDCT-L on the growth of MCF-7 and A-549 cells at different incubation times were detected by CCK-8 assay; and the hemolytic test was employed in vitro. Tumor mice were randomized into 4 groups: DCT-I, DCT-L, FA-PDCT-L and control group (normal saline), and given drugs at 10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) through tail vein. The tumor volume, mice weight, inhibition rate of tumor and life span were measured at the end of experiments. The IC50 of the FA-PDCT-L for MCF-7 and A549 cell lines were significantly lower than that of DCT-I and DCT-L, without hemolysis reaction observed. Compared with control group, the weights of tumor in DCT-I, DCT-L and FA-PDCT-L were decreased, especially for FA-PDCT-L, with inhibitory rates at 79.03 % (P < 0.05). The life span and median survival time of FA-PDCT-L treated mice were significantly higher than that of DCT-I and DCT-L. In conclusion, FA-PDCT-L shows a good anti-tumor activity, indicating that it is potential carriers for DCT in the treatment of tumor.

Oxaliplatin-loaded nanostuctured lipid carriers (OP-NLC) were prepared by ultrasonic emulsification method. And its optimal prescription was selected by orthogonal design. The laser light scattering technique, zeta potential analyzer, TEM, DSC, XRD and HPLC were employed to study the physicochemical parameters of OP-NLC, which displayed in terms of particle size, zeta potential, crystalline, drug loading and encapsulation efficiency. The results showed that OP-NLC had an average diameter of (111 +/- 20) nm, zeta potential of (-27.4 +/- 13.1) mV, encapsulation efficiency of (77.4 +/- 2.5) % and drug content of (0.8 +/- 1.5) mg mL(-1). TEM, DSC and XRD indicated that OP-NLC was spherical and the drug was dispersed as nanoparticles by means of non-crystalline. The in vitro release test showed that the drug could be sustained-released from NLC in buffer solution (pH 4.5) after a burst release in initial phase.

OBJECTIVE:To prepare and characterize capreomycin sulfate liposomes(CSL).METHODS:Capreomycin sulfate was entrapped into liposomes using active loading that pH gradient methods,ammonium sulfate gradient methods and sodium acetate gradient methods respectively followed by lyophilization technique.The liposome was characterized by entrapment efficiency,particle size,? potential and the stability.RESULTS:The entrapment efficiency of CSL pre-and post-lyophilization prepared by three methods were 65.7% and 65.2 %,20.1% and 18.6%,34.6% and 32.4%,with particle size of 136 and 145 nm,144 and 153 nm,142 and 159 nm,? potential of —20.2 and —19.5 mV,—24.4 and —22.9 mV,—18.7 and —17.8 mV respectively.No obvious changes were found in all the indexes in the stability test.CONCLUSIONS:The pH gradient technique is suitable for preparing CSL in 3 kinds of methods.