Preparation of Vitamin B1 Sustained-release Tablets / 中国药师

Objective: To screen the optimal formula and preparation process of vitamin B1 ( VB1 ) sustained-release tablets. Methods:The single-factor tests were used to investigate the type of filler, type and amount of matrix material hydroxypropyl methycel-lulose(HPMC), type and amount of retarder, tablet weight and core hardness. The orthogonal tests were used to investigate the amount of HPMC and ethyl cellulose( EC) and the core hardness. Results:The optimum formula was as follows:HPMC accounted for 50% of the tablet weight, EC accounted for 20%, the filler was lactose, the tablet weight was 200 mg and the tablet core hardness was 50 N. Conclusion:The prepared sustained-release tablets have significant controlled-release property, which provides reference for the devel-opment of new dosage form for VB1 .

Comparison of neuroendoscopic and microscopic endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection and effects on hormone levels / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To compare the efficacy of neuroendoscopic vs microscopic endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection and effects on hormone levels and clinical symptoms. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 211 cases with pituitary tumor resection patients from January 2012 to June 2016, of which 112 cases with endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection (group A), 99 cases with microscopic transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection (group B), and operation related indexes, hormone variations before discharge and symptoms remission 24 weeks after operation were extracted and compared. Results Two groups of patients with different tumor resection extent (Z = 2.14, P = 0.032), group A achieved total resection rate was significantly higher than the group B (79.5% vs 67.7%) (P = 0.037); the operation time of group A was significantly longer than group B [(93.6 ± 26.7) vs (79.8 ± 20.2) min, t = 4.26, P = 0.000], group A with the mean hospitalization stay was significantly less than group B [(7.9 ± 2.5) vs (10.2 ± 4.3) d, t = 4.67, P = 0.000], postoperative complications of group A were significantly lower than those of group B (5.4% vs 14.1%, χ2 = 4.73, P = 0.030). Two groups of postoperative hormone levels decreased in different degree (Z = 2.42, P = 0.016), group A with hormone recovery rate before discharge was significantly higher than group B (82.2% vs 66.7%, χ2 = 6.09, P = 0.014), and decline on prolactinomas, ACTH adenoma, ghrelin hormone were significantly higher than group B [(43.2 ± 10.5) vs (33.5 ± 9.1) ng/ml, (26.0 ± 8.8) vs (20.2 ± 7.0) pmol/L, (11.0 ± 3.9) vs (8.7 ± 3.2) μg/L, t = 3.60, t = 2.65, t = 2.12, all P < 0.05]. There was no significant differences between the two groups in remission of clinical symptoms 24 weeks after operation (P > 0.05). Conclusion Neuroendoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection is more efficient and less operative complications compared with microscopic surgery, which is more conducive to the recovery of postoperative hormone levels.

The role of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and calcineurin in TNF-α-induced myocardial hypertrophy

We investigated whether Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) and calcineurin (CaN) are involved in myocardial hypertrophy induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). The cardiomyocytes of neonatal Wistar rats (1-2 days old) were cultured and stimulated by TNF-α (100 μg/L), and Ca2+ signal transduction was blocked by several antagonists, including BAPTA (4 µM), KN-93 (0.2 µM) and cyclosporin A (CsA, 0.2 µM). Protein content, protein synthesis, cardiomyocyte volumes, [Ca2+]i transients, CaMKIIδB and CaN were evaluated by the Lowry method, [³H]-leucine incorporation, a computerized image analysis system, a Till imaging system, and Western blot analysis, respectively. TNF-α induced a significant increase in protein content in a dose-dependent manner from 10 µg/L (53.56 µg protein/well) to 100 μg/L (72.18 µg protein/well), and in a time-dependent manner from 12 h (37.42 µg protein/well) to 72 h (42.81 µg protein/well). TNF-α (100 μg/L) significantly increased the amplitude of spontaneous [Ca2+]i transients, the total protein content, cell size, and [³H]-leucine incorporation in cultured cardiomyocytes, which was abolished by 4 µM BAPTA, an intracellular Ca2+ chelator. The increases in protein content, cell size and [³H]-leucine incorporation were abolished by 0.2 µM KN-93 or 0.2 µM CsA. TNF-α increased the expression of CaMKIIδB by 35.21% and that of CaN by 22.22% compared to control. These effects were abolished by 4 µM BAPTA, which itself had no effect. These results suggest that TNF-α induces increases in [Ca2+]i, CaMKIIδB and CaN and promotes cardiac hypertrophy. Therefore, we hypothesize that the Ca2+/CaMKII- and CaN-dependent signaling pathways are involved in myocardial hypertrophy induced by TNF-α.

Effect of nutritional support on immune function in patients with severe pulmonary infection after renal transplantation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of parenteral plus enteral nutrition (PN+EN) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) support on the postoperative immune function in renal recipients with severe pulmonary infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty renal recipients with severe postoperative pulmonary infection were randomly assigned into two equal groups to receive PN+EN or standard TPN, both supplied with equal nitrogen and calorie. The plasma levels of total protein, albumin, hemoglobin and peripheral blood IgA, IgG, IgM, total lymphocyte count, and CD4/CD8 ratio were measured before and after the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total lymphocyte count, CD4/CD8 ratio and IgG were significantly increased in patients receiving PN+EN as compared with those in TPN group (P<0.05). In both of the groups, the total protein and albumin levels underwent no significant changes after the nutritional support (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PN+EN can better improve the immune function than TPN in renal recipients with severe pulmonary infection.</p>

Observation on therapeutic effect of multiple cupping at back-shu points on chronic fatigue syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe therapeutic effect of multiple cupping at back-shu points of zang-and fu-organs on chronic fatigue syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and ninety-one cases were randomly divided into 2 groups. The multiple cupping group (n = 142) were treated with multiple cupping along both sides of the spinal cord, and the acupuncture group (n = 49) were treated with acupuncture at acupoints selected according to TCM syndrome differentiation. Their therapeutic effects were assessed by clinical symptoms and Fatigue Assessment Indexes (FAI).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 97.9% in the multiple cupping group and 79.6% in the acupuncture group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01), and after treatment, there was a very significant difference between the two groups in FAI score (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Multiple cupping at back-shu points of zang-and fu-organs is an effective method for chronic fatigue syndrome.</p>

Relationship between the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HK-2 cells and the expressions of bone morphogenetic protein-7 and inhibitor of DNA binding/differentiation / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the relationship between effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on epithelial-myofibroblast transition (EMT) of HK-2 cells and changes in expressions of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) and inhibitor of DNA binding/differentiation (Id) 2, Id3.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cultured HK-2 cells were co-treated with transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) (5 ng/ml) and VEGF165 (0.1, 1, 10, 100 ng/ml), or with TGF-beta1 (5 ng/ml) and VEGF receptor-1 neutralized antibody (10 microg/ ml), and were also co-treated with TGF-beta1 (5 ng/ml) and VEGF165 (100 ng/ml) with or without activin receptor-like kinase 6 (Alk6)/Fc Chimera (2 microg/ml, to neutralize endogenous BMP-7) for 48 hours. mRNA and protein expressions of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), E-cadherin, BMP-7, Id2 and Id3 of HK-2 cells were assessed with double-stain immunocytochemistry, real-time PCR and Western blot respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with normal controls, alpha-SMA expression significantly increased, while E-cadherin, BMP-7, Id2, and Id3 mRNA and protein expressions markedly decreased in HK-2 cells treated with TGF-beta1 (5 ng/ml) (P < 0.05). VEGF165 interrupted TGF-beta1 induced alpha-SMA expression in a dose-dependent manner and upregulated BMP-7, Id2 mRNA and protein expressions of the cells (P < 0.05). alpha-SMA expression increased, while E-cadherin, BMP-7, and Id2 expressions decreased further in HK-2 cells co-treated with TGF-beta1 and VEGFR1 antibody compared with normal controls (P < 0.05). When endogenous BMP-7 was neutralized with Alk6/Fc Chimera in the cells co-treated with TGF-beta1 and VEGF165, alpha-SMA expression upregulated (P < 0.05), while Id2 was not changed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>VEGF165 may partially inhibit TGF-beta1-induced EMT of HK-2 cells in vitro. This effect is related to the upregulated expressions of BMP-7 and Id2. Id2 may be upregulated directly by VEGF165, but not related to BMP-7.</p>

Mediastinal lymph nodes micro-metastases in patients with clinical stage I-II lung cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate micro-metastasis in mediastinal lymph nodes (mLN) of patients with clinical stage I approximately II lung cancer and its clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 181 mLN from 32 lung cancer patients in clinical stage I approximately II were collected during operation and their frozen sections at two different levels were examined immunohistochemically (IHC) with an anti-epithelial cell monoclonal antibody Ber-Ep4. Routine HE staining was done for comparison. The results were processed by Chi-square tests in SPSS 10.0 soft ware.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifteen of the 32 patients (46.9%) were found to have micro-metastasis in 21 of 181 mLN (11.6%) examined by immunohistochemical staining though routine histopathological examinations were negative. Of those 15 cases, micro-metastasis was detected in 9 only by IHC and in 6 both by IHC and HE stainings. The positive rate of micro-metastasis in N0, N1, and N2 stratified by routine pathology was 36.8% (7/19), 33.3% (2/6) and 85.7% (6/7), respectively (N0 vs N2, P < 0.05). When stratified according to clinical staging (cTNM), pathological staging (pTNM) and pathological staging on the basis of IHC (iTNM), the frequencies of N2 cases were 0, 18.8% and 46.9%, respectively (differences among the three groups: P < 0.01). Nine cases reported as N0(7) and N1(2) by routine histopathological examination were found to have micro-metastasis in mLN by IHC staining, therefore they were actually N2 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IHC staining with a monoclonal antibody specific for epithelial cells (Ber-Ep4) is more sensitive in the detection of mediastinal micro-metastais than routine HE staining. Underestimation of the extent of mLN metastasis by cTNM and/or pTNM stagings frequently exists in patients with clinically early lung cancer.</p>

Clinical observation on treatment of diabetic foot by integrative Chinese and Western Medicine / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy of integrative Chinese and western medicine (ICWM) in treating diabetic foot.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-three patients were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 33) and the control group (n = 30). Both groups were treated by same baseline treatment with vasodilator, anti-agglutination agents and external treatment, to the treated group, Chinese drugs were given additionally according to the Syndrome Differentiation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the treated group, the treatment showed markedly effective in 12 patients, effective in 18 and ineffective in 3, the total effective rate being 90.0%, while in the control group, the corresponding numbers were 9, 14, 7 and 76.7%, comparison between the two groups showed significant difference (chi 2 = 15.8, P < 0.05). The case number of Grade II, III and IV in the treated group reduced, and those recovered to Grade 0 increased, as compared with those in the control group, the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Patients with healing of ulcerative wound and fresh wound granulation in the treated group, as compared with those in the control group, the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Levels of fasting blood glucose and blood glucose 2 hrs after meal were all improved in both groups, which showed significant difference as compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The efficacy of ICWM treatment in treating diabetic foot was better than the treatment of western medicine alone.</p>

Primary gastric endocrine tumors / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathological features of gastric neuroendocrine tumors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty cases were reviewed. The specimens were formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded and immunostained by S-P method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the twenty cases, one case was carcinoid, three were malignant carcinoids, six had small cell carcinomas and ten had mixed extocrine--endocrine carcinomas. Immunohistological examination of tumor cells found 80% positive for S-100, NSE (85%), CgA (50%), SY (50%), gastrin (30%), serotonin (65%), AE1/AE3 (50%), and CEA (80%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In the WHO classification, there are five histological types in endocrine tumors of gastrointestinal tract. They are carcinoid, malignant carcinoid, small cell carcinoma, mixed exocrine--endocrine carcinoma and tumor-like lesions. But some cases in our paper were so different that they could not be classified. The gastric endocrine tumors are different from intestinal endocrine tumors and in classification, treatment and prognosis.</p>