Comparison of HPLC fingerprints and determination of main components of Viticis Fructus from different species / 中国中药杂志

In order to comprehensively evaluate the quality of Viticis Fructus, this study established HPLC fingerprints and evaluated the quality of 24 batches of Viticis Fructus samples from different species by similarity evaluation and multivariate statistical analysis(PCA, HCA, PLS-DA). On this basis, an HPLC method was established to compare the content differences of the main components, including casticin, agnuside, homoorientin, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The analysis was performed on the chromatographic column(Waters Symmetry C_(18)) with a gradient mobile phase of acetonitrile(A)-0.05% phosphoric acid solution(B) at the flow rate of 1 mL·min~(-1) and detection wavelength of 258 nm. The column temperature was 30 ℃ and the injection volume was 10 μL. The HPLC fingerprint of 24 batches of Viticis Fructus samples was established with 21 common peaks, and nine peaks were identified. Similarity analysis was carried out based on chromatographic data of 24 batches of chromatographic data of Viticis Fructus, and the results showed that except for DYMJ-16, the similarity of Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia was ≥0.900, while that of V. trifolia was ≤0.864. In addition, the similarity analysis of two different species showed that the similarity of 16 batches of V. trifolia var. simplicifolia was 0.894-0.997 and that of the eight batches of V. trifolia was between 0.990 and 0.997. The results showed that the similarity of fingerprints of these two species was different, but the similarity between the same species was good. The results of the three multivariate statistical analyses were consistent, which could distinguish the two different species. The VIP analysis results of PLS-DA showed that casticin and agnuside contributed the most to the distinction. The content determination results showed that there was no significant difference in the content of homoorientin and p-hydroxybenzoic acid in Viticis Fructus from different species, but the content of casticin and agnuside was significantly different in different species(P<0.01). The content of casticin was higher in V. trifolia var. simplicifolia, while agnuside was higher in V. trifolia. The findings of this study show that there are differences in fingerprint similarity and component content of Viticis Fructus from different species, which can provide references for the in-depth study of the quality and clinical application of Viticis Fructus.

Comparison of UPLC Fingerprint and Determination of Index Components Before and After Processing of Cyperi Rhizoma Processed with Four Excipients / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the quality evaluation method of Cyperi Rhizoma processed with four excipients. Method:Ultra-performance liquid chromatography （UPLC） fingerprints of raw products and processed products with four excipients of Cyperi Rhizoma were established， and the changes of chemical components in the fingerprints before and after processing were compared by chemometric analysis. The mobile phase was consisted of methanol （A）-water （B） for gradient elution （0-10 min， 5%-40%A； 10-30 min， 40%-70%A； 30-40 min， 70%A） at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min^-1. The injection volume was 3 μL， the column temperature was 35 ℃， and the detection wavelength was 280 nm. The content changes of main index components in Cyperi Rhizoma before and after processing were compared by UPLC. The mobile phase was methanol-water （75∶25） and the detection wavelength was 242 nm. Result:Processing with four excipients had a significant impact on the overall characteristics of chemical components in the fingerprint of Cyperi Rhizoma. A total of 28 characteristic peaks were identified in fingerprints of the raw and processed products. Among them， peaks 1， 2 and 4 were specific peaks of the processed products， peak 5 was characteristic peak of the raw products. Peak 2 was identified as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural， peak 24 as cyperenone and peak 27 as <italic>α</italic>-cyperone. The 5-hydroxymethylfurfural produced by the processing with four excipients came from rice vinegar， rice wine and Maillard reaction of polysaccharides in Cyperi Rhizoma. The results of determination showed that there was no significant difference in the content of cyperenone after processing， but the content of <italic>α</italic>-cyperone decreased significantly. Conclusion:In the process of Cyperi Rhizoma processed with four excipients， there are new components produced by structural transformation， which are accompanied by changes in the content of index components. In this study， the quality of raw and processed products of Cyperi Rhizoma can be rapidly and effectively evaluated from qualitative and quantitative aspects.

Comparison of UPLC Fingerprint and Determination of Main Components Before and After Processing of Artemisiae Argyi Folium Processed with Four Excipients / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To establish the ultra-performance liquid chromatography （UPLC） fingerprints of Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Argyi Folium processed with four excipients， and quantitatively analyze the 8 phenolic acids and flavonoids contained in them， in order to explore the quality evaluation method of Artemisiae Argyi Folium processed with four excipients. Method:UPLC was used with Shim-pack XR-ODS C₁₈ column （2.0 mm×75 mm， 2.2 µm）， mobile phase of acetonitrile （A） -0.2% formic acid aqueous solution （B） for gradient elution （0-1 min， 10%A； 1-2 min， 10%-15%A； 2-17 min， 15%-18%A； 17-24 min， 18%-28%A； 24-36 min， 28%-38%A； 36-41 min， 38%-60%A； 41-45 min， 60%-100%A）， detection wavelength of 330 nm and flow rate of 0.2 mL·min^-1. The UPLC fingerprints of Artemisiae Argyi Folium before and after processing were established， and analyzed by chemometrics. Contents of 5-caffeoylquinic acid， 3-caffeoylquinic acid， 4-caffeoylquinic acid， 3，4-dicaffeoylquinic acid， 3，5-dicaffeoylquinic acid， 4，5-dicaffeoylquinic acid， jaceosidin and epuatilin in the decoction pieces were determined. Result:The fingerprints of Artemisiae Argyi Folium before and after processing were established， and the UPLC characteristic chromatograms of Artemisiae Argyi Folium before and after processing had good consistency， and the similarity was >0.94. Compared with Artemisiae Argyi Folium， the contents of 3-caffeoylquinic acid and 3，4-dicaffeoylquinic acid had no significant change after processing， the contents of jaceosidin and epuatilin decreased after processing， while the contents of 5-caffeoylquinic acid， 4-caffeoylquinic acid and 4，5-dicaffeoylquinic acid increased significantly （<italic>P<</italic>0.01）， their average increasing rates were 32.50%， 66.83%， 29.39%， respectively. And content of 3，5-dicaffeoylquinic acid was significantly decreased （<italic>P<</italic>0.01） ， and the average reduction rate was 51.25%. Conclusion:The contents of chemical components in Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Argyi Folium processed with four excipients have changed to a certain extent. Among them， 5-caffeoylquinic acid， 3，5-dicaffeoylquinic acid， 4-caffeoylquinic acid and 4，5-dicaffeoylquinic acid can be used as the key indicators for quality evaluation of Artemisiae Argyi Folium before and after processing.

Clinical Significance of TF and VEGF Expressions on Peripheral CD14 Positive Monocytes in Patients with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical significance of tissue factor (TF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression on peripheral blood CD14 positive monocytes in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL).@*METHODS@#The expressions of TF and VEGF on peripheral CD14 monocytes in 41 patients with DLBCL (DLBCL group) before chemotherapy and after 4 chemotherapeutic courses, and in 20 healthy subjects (control group) were detected by flow cytometry respectively, meanwhile, the relationship of the expression of TF and VEGF with international prognostic indexes (IPI) and short-term effects were analysed.@*RESULTS@#The expression levels of TF and VEGF on peripheral CD14 monocytes in DLBCL group were significantly higher than those in control group (P0.05), the survival of patients in group with low expression of TF and VEGF was superior to that in group with high expression of TF and VEGF (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The paripheral blood CD14 monocytes in DLBCL patients highly express the TF and VEGF, which relate with IPI, therapeutic efficacy and survival, thus the TF and VEGF expression levels are of reference significance for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy and prognosis of patients.

Application of CLT guiding offline extubation in patient with tracheal intubation of mechanical ventilation / 中国医学装备

Objective: To explore the application of the cuff-leak test(CLT)guiding offline extubation in patients with tracheal intubation of mechanical ventilation.Methods: 64 patients with tracheal intubation who underwent mechanical ventilation were divided into CLT-negative group(47 cases)and CLT-positive group(17 cases)according to leakage situation of CLT.The CLT guiding offline extubation were adopted in the study and some basic situations,such as body mass index(BMI),APACHE-Ⅱ and so on,of the two groups were compared.And the relative situation of intubation,blood gas analysis index,vital signs,the occurrence rate of upper airway obstruction(UAO)post removing intubation and re-intubation rate between the two groups also were compared,and then the risk factors of influencing UAO were further analyzed.Results: The BMI of CLT-negative group was significantly smaller than that of CLT-positive group(t=2.44,P＜0.05).The occurrence rate of UAO and re-intubation rate of CLT-negative group(6.38％and 2.13％)were significantly lower than that of CLT-positive group(35.29％and 17.65％)(x2=8.63,x2=5.13,P＜0.05),respectively.The differences of BMI,APACHE-Ⅱ scores,intubation time,air sac pressure,PaO2and SpO2between patients with UAO and patients without UAO were significant(t=5.63,t=2.65,t=4.27,t=3.35,t=2.37,t=2.66,P＜0.05).The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that the BMI,APACHEⅡ score,intubation time,air sac pressure were independent risk factors for occurring UAO post extubation.Conclusion: The CLT guiding offline extubation in patient with tracheal intubation of mechanical ventilation can effectively reduce the re-intubation rate.For these patients with obesity,high APACHE-Ⅱ score,long intubation time and big air sac pressure,the risk of occurring UAO is higher.Therefore,the number of intubation pre extubation should be reduced for them,and their physiological status should be comprehensively assessed so as to decrease the occurrence rate of UAO.

Effects of neuro-immuno-modulation on healing of wound combined with local radiation injury in rats / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>PURPOSE</b>To investigate effects of neuro-immuno-modulation on wound healing by observing changes of cytokines and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormones in acute stress reaction in rats with wound and combined local radiation injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty female Wistar rats (weighting 200 ± 20 g) were randomly divided into normal control group, wound group and combined wound-local radiation (CWR) group (25 Gy local radiation post wound), 20 rats in each group. Contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-γ and IL-4 in serum were measured and changes of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and glucocorticoid (GC) in serum were analyzed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunologic assay, respectively at different time points post wound and radiation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The level of IFN-γ, one of the Th1 cell cytokines increased significantly at 14 d post CWR, which was markedly higher than that in control group and wound group. However, the level of IL-4, IL-1β and IL-6, one of the Th2 cell cytokines, did not show obvious change. (2) Ratio of Th1/Th2 (IFN-γ/IL-4) in wound group and CWR group increased significantly at 7 d after wound and radiation, which suggested that Th1/Th2 balance drifted to Th1 immune response. The ratio of Th1/Th2 in wound group returned to the normal level up to 14 d after the wound and radiation, while the Th1/Th2 ratio in CWR group increased persistently and was much higher than that in control and wound groups. (3) Level of serous ACTH and GC in CWR group increased at 3 d post wound and radiation, and among them, level of GC showed statistically significant increase, which was much higher than that in control and wound groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Level of serous neurohormone GC in rats increased significantly immediately after wound and radiation; while the level of IFN-γ showed significant increase only up to 14 d after wound and radiation, and the Th1/Th2 imbalance sustained till 28 d post wound and radiation. In order to reduce acute damage caused by CWR, organic immune system and nerve system showed up a marked regulate effects simultaneously and mutually. Nonetheless, the excessive stress induced by CWR causes disturbance of immunoregulation, which is one of the key reasons for delayed wound healing in CWR.</p>

Research on correlation between odor and chemical compounds of Lonicera japonica / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to investigate the relationship between odor and contents of the chemical compounds in Lonicera japonica, including chlorogenic acid, galuteolin and polyphenols. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to determine the contents of chlorogenic acid and galuteolin in L. japonica. The ponptent of polyphenols was determined by UV-Vis Spectrophotometry. Electronic nose was used to extract and measure the odor of L. japonica. Then SPSS 17.0 software was employed for data processing. There is a significant positive correlation between the comprehensive index value of aroma and the contents of chlorogenic acid and polyphenols. The regression equations have been established. However, the relationship between the comprehensive index value and the content of galuteolin is not obvious. This is proof that the odor of L. japonica has close connection with the chemical compounds. Therefore, this research offered a new method for initially determine or predict the content of the chemical composition in L. japonica,

Bradykinin attenuates mechanical stress-induced myocardial hypertrophy through inhibiting the Ca²⁺/ calcineurin pathway / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the inhibitory effect and related mechanism of bradykinin on mechanical stress induced myocardial hypertrophy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were isolated and cultured in silicon plates. All cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into three groups: control group, mechanical stretch group (mechanical stretch of silicon plates to 120% for 30 min) and mechanical stretch plus bradykinin group (1×10(-8) mol/L for 24 h before stretch). The protein synthesis and surface area of cardiomyocytes were detected by [(3)H] leucine incorporation and immunofluorescence of α-MHC, respectively. mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2) was detected by real time-PCR, the phosphorylation of calcineurin (CaN), the expression of Angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT1R) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The surface area of cardiomyocytes of mechanical stretch group [(973 ± 103) µm(2)] was significantly enlarged than in control group [(312 ± 29) µm(2)] and this effect could be partly attenuated by bradykinin [(603 ± 74) µm(2), all P < 0.05]. Mechanical stretch also significantly increased the protein synthesis, up-regulated the expression of ANP and decreased the expression of SERCA2, and these effects could be partly reversed by pretreatment with bradykinin. Moreover, bradykinin partly abolished the mechanical stretch-induced increases in CaN phosphorylation, up-regulation of AT1R but preserved the expression of ACE.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Bradykinin significantly attenuates mechanical stretch-induced myocardial hypertrophy through inhibition of Ca(2+)/CaN pathway.</p>

Down-regulation of human leukocyte antigens class I on peripheral T lymphocytes and NK cells from subjects in region of high-incidence gastrointestinal tumor / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Many types of human tumors can suppress the immune system to enhance their survival. Loss or down-regulation of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class I on tumors is considered to be a major mechanism of tumor immune escape. Our previous studies found that HLA class I on peripheral-blood mononuclear cells was significantly lower in gastric cancer patients. The present study made an analysis of HLA class I expression on peripheral-blood T lymphocytes and NK cells from subjects of Lijiadian village, a village with high-incidence gastrointestinal tumor.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 181 villagers from Lijiadian village and 153 normal controls from the Department of Health Examination Center were enrolled in this study. Using a multi-tumor markers detection system, these villagers were divided into two groups: high-risk group (tumor markers positive group) and low-risk group (tumor markers negative group). The percentage of T lymphocytes and NK cells and levels of HLA class I on their surface were determined in these subjects by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Percentages of T lymphocytes and NK cells in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells did not vary with age. The expression level of HLA class I on peripheral T lymphocytes and NK cells was not affected by age or gender, but was significantly down-regulated in Lijiadian villagers (P < 0.05), especially on the surface of NK cells (P < 0.01). Compared with the low-risk group, there was a significant reduction of HLA class I on peripheral T lymphocytes (P < 0.05) and NK cells (P < 0.05) in the high-risk group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HLA class I on peripheral T lymphocytes and NK cells may be involved in tumorigenesis and development of gastrointestinal tumor, and understanding their changes in expression may provide new insights into the mechanism of tumor immunity.</p>

Construction and immunogenicity of a recombinant adenovirus co-expressing the E2 protein of classical swine fever virus and the porcine interleukin 2 in rabbits / 病毒学报

To construct a recombinant adenovirus co-expressing the E2 protein of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and the porcine interleukin 2 (pIL-2), the CSFV E2 gene and pIL-2 gene were amplified respectively from the plasmids pMD19-T-E2 and pMD19-T-pIL-2 by PCR. E2-pIL-2 fusion gene was obtained by using 5 consecutive glycine codons as a linker and cloned into the adenoviral shuttle plasmid AdTrack. The AdTrack-E2-pIL-2 was linearized and transformed into E. coli BJ5183 with the backbone plasmid AdEasy1. The resultant recombinant plasmid AdEasy-E2-pIL-2 was transfected into the 293 cells where the recombinant adenovirus rAd-E2-pIL-2 was produced. The immunogenicity of rAd-E2-pIL-2 was evaluated in rabbits. The results of RT-PCR and Western-blotting showed that rAd-E2-pIL-2 could carry and express E2 and pIL-2 proteins. The titer of the rAd-E2-pIL-2 was 10(8.12) PFU/mL. After immunized with rAd-E2pIL-2, The injected rabbits developed a high level of CSFV specific antibodies. Regular fever was not detected in the rAd-E2-pIL-2-immunized rabbits upon challenge with CSFV C stain, and specific lymphoproliferative responses to the CSFV was detected in the lymphocytes from the immunized rabbits. In conclusion, rAd-E2-pIL-2 was constructed successfully and it could be an attractive vaccine candidate against CSFV.

Factors associated with response to lamivudine: retrospective study of 233 patients with chronic hepatitis B / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify factors associated with response to lamivudine in chronic hepatitis B patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 233 chronic hepatitis B patients treated with lamivudine 100mg daily (91 patients were switched to Adefovir 10mg daily or Adefovir 10mg in combination with lamivudine 100mg daily) were retrospective. HBV DNA level and serum HBV markers were detected by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Kaplan-Meier, long-rank, t test were conducted to evaluate the data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The rates of HBV DNA loss, ALT normalization, viral breakthrough(VB), HBeAg loss and seroconversion were 63.4% , 83.8%, 30.9%, 30.9%, and 14.3%, respectively, in HBeAg(+) patients; and these were 84.6%, 81.3%, 14.3%, respectively in HBeAg(-) patients.(2) The rates of HBV DNA loss, HBeAg loss, HBeAg seroconversion, viral breakthrough (VB) were 55% and 66.7% (P more than 0.05), 55.0%, and 66.7% (P less than 0.05), 17.5% and 33.3% (P less than 0.05), 50% and 34.3% (P less than 0.05) in HBeAg(+) patients with baseline ALT less than 2.5 ULN and HBeAg(+) patients with baseline ALT is more than or equal to 2.5 ULN, respectively. (3) For HBeAg(+) patients, viral breakthrough rate was significantly lower in patients with baseline HBV DNA less than 10(6) copies/ml than that in patients with baseline HBV DNA more than 10(6) copies/ml patients (23.4% VS 46.3%, P less than 0.05) among HBeAg(+) patients. (4) The rate of HBV DNA loss, HBeAg loss, HBeAg seroconversion and viral breakthrough for the patients with IVR at week 24 were 76.3%, 72.3%, 40.8% and 28.9% compared to 47.6% (P less than 0.01), 46% (P less than 0.01), 12.7% (P less than 0.01) and 47.6% (P less than 0.05) for those without IVR. (4) For the 44 patients with viral breakthrough, 32 were switched to Adefovir monotherapy or adefovir in combination with lamivudine therapy, and 12 continued to receive lamivudine monotherapy. HBV DNA loss, HBeAg seroconversion were 40.6%, 21.9% for those switch/add group compare to 16.7%, 16.7% for the lamivudine monotherapy group. There were no significant differences in the background factors (sex, diagnosis, antiviral period, pre-tx ALT, pre-tx HBV DNA) between these two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both the baseline ALT and HBV DNA are associated with the efficacy of lamivudine in chronic hepatitis B patients. Patients with baseline ALT is more than or equal to 2.5*ULN and (or) HBV DNA level of less than 1*10(6) copies/ml have better efficacy and lower rate of breakthrough rate. IVR at week 24 is an important predictive factor of a favorable response to lamivudine therapy. For the patients with viral breakthrough, those switched to/added on Adefovir have a favorable result.</p>

Modulation of NRF2 and UGT1A expression by epigallocatechin-3-gallate in colon cancer cells and BALB/c mice / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Green tea is an important source of flavonoids in human diets and epidemiological data correlate green tea consumption with a reduced cancer risk. Given its complicated properties at effective concentrations, we put epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) that previously reported on its anti-proliferative activities against several cancer cell lines on our research agenda to further examine the mechanism of its chemopreventive potential.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RNA interference (RNAi) expression vector pSilencer 3.1-H1 was used to construct recombinant nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)-targeting RNAi plasmids. EGCG (5 microg/ml) was added into the culture fluid of cells before and after transfection. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A in cells. Forty male BALB/c mice were assigned to four groups: a normal unexposed control and three groups treated with varying doses of EGCG. Four weeks later, the mice were sacrificed, and their colon tissues were subjected to mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and UGT1A via RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EGCG up-regulated the expression of Nrf2 and increased the level of UGT1A in cells. The blockade of Nrf2 activity via RNA intervention largely attenuated the induction of UGT1A expression by EGCG. In mice, the mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2 and UGT1A detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting increased (both P < 0.05 compared with the control). This increase in Nrf2 expression also had a positive correlation with an increased UGT1A expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EGCG mediated its effect in part by inducing the NRF2 signaling pathway and increasing UGT1A expression. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the role of NRF2 and UGT1A expression in the potential use of EGCG as a possible chemopreventive agent and supported further study of EGCG for cancer treatment.</p>

Anti-tumor effects of polybutylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles of diallyl trisulfide on orthotopic transplantation tumor model of hepatocellular carcinoma in BALB/c nude mice / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranked the second among the causes of cancer mortality in China since the 1990s. Up to now, medication still plays an important role in the treatment of HCC. The therapies based on the allicin as a potential chemopreventive analog although is in its infancy at the present time, may have a significant role in the future management of HCC. Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) is a natural compound derived from garlic. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of hepatic targeted polybutylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles of diallyl trisulfide (DATS-PBCA-NP) on orthotopic transplanted HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>DATS-PBCA-NP were detected by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The orthotopic transplantation HCC models were established by implanting HCC HepG2 xenograft bits under the envelope of the mice liver. Successful models (n = 29) were divided into 4 groups: normal saline (NS), empty nanoparticles (EN), DATS and DATS-PBCA-NP were intravenously administered to the mice respectively for 2 weeks. In vivo antitumor efficacy was evaluated by the measurement of tumor volume. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and protein levels of apoptosis and cell proliferation proteins by immunoblotting in tumor tissues were performed to elucidate the possible mechanism.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DATS-PBCA-NP possessed smooth and round appearance, dispersed well, and released in vitro in accord with double phase kinetics model. DATS-PBCA-NP changed the tissue/organ distribution of DATS in vivo. The successful rate of tumor implantation was 100%. Intravenous administration of DATS-PBCA-NP significantly retarded the growth of orthotopically transplanted hepatoma in BALB/c nude mice (compared with the other three groups, all P < 0.05) without causing weight loss (P > 0.05). TUNEL staining showed that the tumors from DATS-PBCA-NP treated mice exhibited a markedly higher apoptotic index compared with control tumors. Western blot analysis of tumor tissue revealed that the down-regulated expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Bcl-2 proteins in DATS-PBCA-NP group, and there were no significant differences in the expression of Fas, FasL and Bax proteins among the four groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>DATS-PBCA-NP has good prolonged release effect in vivo and hepatic-targeted activity, and significant anti-tumor effect on the orthotopic transplantation HCC model in mice in association with the suppression of proliferation and the induction of apoptosis of tumor cells. These advantages are probably due to their liver targeting characteristics and consequently bring a higher anti-tumor activity.</p>

Relation of serological markers of hepatitis B virus and alanine transaminase to hepatic tissue pathology in patients with chronic hepatitis B / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and alanine transaminase (ALT) with hepatic tissue pathology in patients with chronic hepatitis B.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The serological marker of HBV, liver function and liver biopsy of 133 patients with chronic hepatitis B were measured and evaluated. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to HBeAg and HBV DNA positivity. Hepatic necrosis/inflammation grade and hepatic fibrosis were compared between the groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hepatic histological examination of all these patients showed inflammation, necrosis and different degrees of fibrosis. In patients with normal serum ALT, liver biopsy showed different degrees of inflammation, hepatic fibrosis, and even hepatocirrhosis. In patients with abnormal serum ALT negative for HBeAg, hepatic tissue inflammation and fibrosis were more serious. Hepatic tissue pathology was not paralleled with the level of HBV replication.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Evaluation of the liver disease can not depend solely on serum ALT and viral loading in these patients. Hepatic tissue pathology in patients with chronic hepatitis B should be served as the most reliable evidence for evaluating hepatitis conditions and making the decision on antiviral therapy.</p>

A long-term observation and follow-up for patients with HBeAg/Anti-HBe seroconversion after lamivudine treatment / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the resulting change in patients who achieved HBeAg/Anti-HBe seroconversion after lamivudine treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>68 patients were observed for over 24 months. They were HBeAg/Anti-HBe with a seroconversion time > or = 6 months and the course of lamivudine treatment was > or = 18 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After lamivudine treatment, the rate of HBeAg/Anti-HBe seroconversion was 25.19%, the rate of YMDD mutations was 20.59%, and the rate of relapse was 27.94% for these patients that achieved HBeAg/Anti-HBe seroconversion in observation and in the follow-up period. Lamivudine was still an effective drug for these patients with relapses. The rate of relapse was in correlation to the patients' age and the ALT level before treatment. The rate of relapse was not correlated to the HBV DNA level before the course of treatment. YMDD mutations were not correlated to the relapses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Even with a HBeAg/Anti-HBe seroconversion time > or = 6 months, the rate of relapse was still higher in patients with chronic hepatitis B that received lamivudine. The patients with long-term lamivudine treatment should be observed and have frequent follow-up visits.</p>