Gene mutational analyses of cathepsin C gene in a family with Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#This study aimed to investigate the gene mutational characteristics of cathepsin C (CTSC) gene in a Chinese patient with Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) and further confirm the genetic basis for the phenotype of PLS.@*METHODS@#Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the PLS proband and his family members (his parents and younger brother) for genomic DNA extraction. The coding region and exon boundaries of the CTSC gene were amplified and sequenced by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing of DNA.@*RESULTS@#Compound heterozygous mutations of CTSC gene were identified in the patient. A heterozygous missense mutation occurred in the 800th base of exon 6, and the base T in the base pair was replaced by C (c.800T>C). The encoded amino acid leucine changed to proline (p. L267P). A heterozygous missense mutation occurred in the 1015th base of exon 7, and base C in the base pair was replaced by T (c.1015C>T). The encoded amino acid arginine changed to cysteine (p.R339C). Among the mutations, c.800T>C originated from the mother, c.1015C>T was identified from the father. No mutations were detected in the younger brother.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Mutations of CTSC gene are responsible for the phenotype of PLS.

Effects of five Chinese herbs on human demodicid mites in vitro / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To research the effects of five Chinese herbs of Artemisia argyi, Chimonanthus praecox, Agastache rugosa, pine needles and Osmamthus fragrans on human demodicid mites in vitro. Methods The human demodicid mites were acquired with the cellophane tape method. The ethanol heat reflux extractions were carried out on the 5 kinds of Chinese herbs to be studied and Stemona sessilifolia as the positive control, so as to get the herbal extracts. Next, the drug administration was carried out to the demodicid mites, and the inhibitory or killing effects of the 6 kinds of Chinese herbs above mentioned on the vermiform mites were observed under a microscope. It was considered to be dead when the bodies of the demodicid mites stopped moving. Besides, the duration from drug administration to death of the vermiform mites was recorded. Results Artemisia argyi, Chimonanthus praecox and Agastache rugosa could effectively inhibit and kill human demodicid mites. The effect of Artemisia argyi and Agastache rugosa was similar to the effect of Stemona sessilifolia, and the effect of Chimonanthus praecox was weaker than Stemona sessilifolia’s effect. Among them, Agastache rugosa took a relatively short time (4.60 min ± 1.66 min) min and Osmamthus fragrans took the longest time (114.65min ± 80.14min) to Demodex folliculorum; Whereas, Artemisia argyi took the shortest time (3.56min ± 1.92 min) min and Osmamthus fragrans took the longest time (194.24min ± 134.96 min) min to Demodex brevis. Conclusions The effects of Artemisia argyi and Agastache rugosa on human demodicid mites are similar to that of Stemona sessilifolia. The effects of Chimonanthus praecox and pine needles are weaker than that of Stemona sessilifolia. Osmamthus fragrans has no acaricidal effect.

Changes in higher order aberrations after wavefront guided FS-LASIK for myopia combined with moderate to high astigmatism / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To assess the changes in higher order aberrations after wavefront guided femtosecond laser assisted laser in situ keratomileusis ( FS-LASIK ) for moderate to high astigmatism.?METHODS: Eighty-eight eyes of 50 myopia patients with moderate to high astigmatism were included in this prospective study. There were 51 eyes with moderate astigmatism (≥-1. 50D and <-3. 00D) and 37 eyes with high astigmatism (≥-3. 00D). All patients underwent wavefront guided FS-LASIK. Uncorrected distance visual acuity ( UDVA ) , corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), keratometry, central corneal thickness ( CCT)and higher order aberrations ( HOAs ) were evaluated before operation and 3mo postoperatively.?RESULTS:At the 3mo after operation, the mean UDVA of all eyes was above 20/20, better than before operation (P<0. 05), but CDVA remained unchanged (P=0. 36) and no eyes lost ≥2 lines of CDVA. Mean astigmstism of 85 eyes ( 97％) was reduced below - 1. 00D, mean astigmatism of 70 eyes ( 80％) was reduced below-0.50D(P<0. 05). The average corneal curvature was flatter by 3. 81 ± 1. 97D and CCT was reduced by 78. 66 ± 37. 22μm, postoperatively (P<0. 05). Coma and trefoil aberrations remained unchanged(P=0. 078, 0. 065). The spherical aberration, secondary astigmatism and the HOA root mean square ( RMS ) increased from 0. 19 ± 0. 06, 0.05±0. 02 and 0. 42±0. 12, preoperatively to 0. 32± 0. 17, 0. 26 ± 0. 08 and 0. 78 ± 0. 28 ( P < 0. 05 ), postoperatively.?CONCLUSION: Wavefront-guided FS-LASIK is a safe and effective option for the patients with moderate to high astigmstism although parts of HOAs increased.

Pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of penehyclidine hydrochloride tablet in healthy subjects / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To explore pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of penehyclidine hydrochloride in healthy subjects. METHODS: This study was an open, randomized and cross-over trial design. Twelve healthy subjects were randomized to receive pharmacokinetic analysis which were performed according to the order of ABC, BCA and CAB, and then pharmacokinetic trial of multiple dose was performed following penehyclidine hydrochloride. Twenty healthy subjects were selected to receive bioavailability study following an order of BD or DB. Blood and urine samples were collected at prescribed time and then investigated by LC-MS/MS. RESULTS: The 11 of 12 cases finished the pharmacokinetic trial. The lineare ranges of penehyclidine hydrochloride in plasma and urine were 0.1-8 ng·mL-1, 1-100 ng·mL-1, respectively and accuracy of the method was within 85%-115%. The concentration-time curve of penehyclidine hydrochloride was dose dependent within the ranges of 0.4-0.8 mg after oral administration. ρmax and AUC were significantly increased (P<0.01), Vd and CL were significantly decreased (P<0.01) following multiple dose. The relative bioavailability of penehyclidine hydrochloride was (72.44±21.03)%. The average cumulative excretion rate of penehyclidine hydrochloride with original form accounted for (4.98±1.10)% of the total administered dose. CONCLUSION: The characteristic of linear pharmacokinetics of penehyclidine hydrochloride is performed in healthy subjects after oral administration. Its excretion is mostly via non-urinary system or other metabolites.

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of pDNA-CaPi-PLGA nanoparticles with a core-shell structure / 药学学报

To develop a core-shell structure pDNA-CaPi-PLGA nanoparticles (CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs), calcium phosphate-pDNA nano complexes (CaPi-pDNA) were encapsulated inside of PLGA shells. The characteristics of the nanoparticles, including morphology, average particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, loading efficiency, stability in medium, pDNA protection ability from nuclease degradation, in vitro release, cytotoxicity and cell transfection were investigated and compared with the embedded structured CaPi modified PLGA nanoparticles (embedded-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs). The results showed that the obtained CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs were spherical in shape with an average particle size of (155 +/- 4.5) nm, zeta potentials of (-0.38 +/- 0.1) mV, entrapment efficiency of (80.56 +/- 2.5)% and loading efficiency of (1.16 +/- 0.04)%. The CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs were stable in the release media and could protect pDNA against nuclease degradation. And they also exhibited sustained release of pDNA in vitro. The highest gene transfection efficiency of the CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs in vitro reached (24.66 +/- 0.46)% (after 72 h transfection), which was significantly higher than that of free pDNA [(0.33 +/- 0.04)%, P < 0.01] and the pDNA-PLGA-NPs [(1.5 +/- 0.07)%, P < 0.01]. Besides, the transfection lasted for longer time than that of embedded-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs and the cytotoxicity of it was significantly lower than that of PEI (P < 0.01). These results indicate that CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs are a promising non-viral gene vector. Key words: gene delivery system; polylactic-co-glycolic acid; calcium phosphate; nanoparticle

Effects of temperature and pH on digestive enzymes activities in Whitmania pigra / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Current study was conducted to investigate and compare the impact of temperature and pH on the activities of amylase, protease and lipase in alimentary tract of Whitmania pigra.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The responses of amylase, protease, and lipase activities were determined over a wide range of temperatures (7-52 degrees C) and pH gradient (2.2-11.2).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The highest lipase activity was found under 37 degrees C, pH 8.2, and the highest amylase activity was detected under 37 degrees C, pH 5.2, while protease activity peaked at 42 degrees C, pH 3.2 or pH 9.2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The optimal temperature in alimentary tract of Wh. pigra for lipase and amylase was 37 degrees C, and the responding temperature for protease was 42 degrees C. The optimal pH value in alimentary tract of Wh. pigra for lipase and amylase was pH 8.2 and pH 5.2, respectively. While pH 3.2 or 9.2 seems to be both favorable for high protease activity.</p>