Preparation and characterization of APGA modified artemether liposomes / 中草药

Objective To optimize the formulation ratio and preparation process of the APGA modified artemether liposomes, and evaluate its physical and chemical properties. Methods The encapsulation efficiency of artemether was evaluated as index, and the preparation method of APGA modified artemether liposomes was optimized. The preparation process of APGA modified artemether liposomes was optimized by orthogonal experiments. Laser particle analyzer and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the particle size, Zeta potential, and appearance of liposomes, and dialysis method was used to study the release of liposomes in vitro. Results The best prescription was as follow: EPC-Chol-TPGS at 95:0.5:3, 5% APGA-PEG-DSPE, the artemether-lipid ratio at 1:20, film-forming temperature 30 ℃, probe ultrasound time 8 min. The resulting liposomes exhibited a pale blue opalescent appearance. The average particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of artemether liposomes was (99.97 ± 1.67) nm, 0.185 ± 0.021, and (-0.023 ± 0.080) mV, respectively. Transmission electron micrograph image showed that artemether liposomes were spherical vesicles with uniform sizes. The encapsulation efficiency of artemether in liposomes was (90.06 ± 1.15)%. In vitro cumulative release rate of artemether from the liposomes in the simulated body fluids was (57.07 ± 6.09)% after 48 h. Conclusion The optimized APGA modified artemether liposomes was successfully developed. It had the following characters: round shape, uniform particle size, high drug encapsulation efficiency and good sustained-release effect.

Development of targeted artemether liposomes and targeting effect in vitro / 中草药

Objective To evaluate the targeting and inhibitory effects of the targeted artemether liposomes modified with APGA- PEG2000-DSPE conjugate in vitro. Methods APGA was used as targeted molecular, and the new functional material APGA- PEG2000-DSPE conjugate was synthesized and confirmed by using MALDI-TOF-MS. A kind of targeted artemether liposomes was developed by modifying APGA-PEG2000-DSPE using film dispersed method. Co-culture model of BBB-glioma C6 tumor spheroids was developed, and it was used to study the transporting efficiency across the BBB and the penetration ability of the liposomes into glioma C6 tumor spheroids viewed by a confocal laser scanning microscope. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the targeting properties of the preparations to C6 glioma cells. SRB method was used to study the inhibitory effect of targeted liposomes on the growth of C6 glioma cells. Results The APGA-PEG2000-DSPE conjugate was confirmed by using MALDI-TOF-MS, and its average mass was 3 150. The co-culture model showed that the targeted liposomes can better transport across the BBB and then penetrate into the glioma C6 tumor spheroids. To C6 glioma cells, the IC50 of the targeted artemether liposomes, artemether liposomes and free artemether were 45, 82, and 95 μmol/L, separately. Conclusion The targeted artemether liposomes could effectively transport across the BBB and penetrate into the glioma C6 tumor spheroids. The targeted artemether liposomes had stronger inhibitory effect on brain glioma cells in vitro.

Simultaneous determination of four constituents in Liujing Toutong Tablets by HPLC / 中成药

AIM To establish an HPLC method for the simultaneous content determination of four constituents in Liujing Toutong Tablets (Angelicae dahuricae Radix,Magnoliae Flos,Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix,etc.).METHODS The analysis of 30％ ethanol extract of this drug was performed on a 35 ℃ thermostatic Waters C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of methanol-4％ acetic acid flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 320 nm.RESULTS Puerarin,ferulic acid,imperatorin and isoimperatorin showed good linear relationships within the ranges of 60.6-303 μg/mL (r=0.999 9),1.59-7.95 μg/mL (r =0.999 9),1.57-7.85 μg/mL (r =0.999 9) and 0.752 5-3.762 5 μg/mL (r =0.999 7),whose average recoveries (RSDs) were 97.75％ (1.7％),97.68％ (2.3％),97.94％ (1.0％) and 98.29％ (1.6％),respectively.CONCLUSION This stable and reliable method can be used for the quality control of Liujing Toutong Tablets.

Alteration of choroidal thickness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hyponea syndrome / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

·AIM:To analyze the choroidal thickness alteration in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). ·METHODS: Seventeen patients who were diagnosed with OSAHS initially and 31 healthy individuals were enrolled. Enhanced depth imaging choriodal scans were obtained by spectral - domain optical coherence tomography. Choroidal thickness of subfovea, 2mm superior,inferior,nasal and temporal to the fovea were measured and statistically analyzed. ·RESULTS:Subfoveal choroidal thickness of the control group and the OSAHS group was 323.58 ± 58.63μ m and 316.82 ± 46. 43μ m respectively, and the difference was unsignificant(t=0.409,P=0.684). Choroidal thickness at 2mm superior to the fovea of the control group and the OSAHS group was 318.29 ± 56.89μ m and 314.29 ± 59.8μ m respectively, and the difference was unsignificant (t=0.229,P=0.820). Choroidal thickness at 2mm inferior to the fovea of the control group and the OSAHS group was 308.42± 54.95μ m and 291.65 ± 55.37μ m respectively, and the difference was not significant (t=1.009, P=0.318). Choroidal thickness at 2mm temporal to the fovea of the control group and the OSAHS group was 308. 23 ± 54.62μ m and 302. 76 ± 46. 97μ m respectively, and the difference was not significant (t = 0. 347, P = 0. 730). Choroidal thickness at 2mm nasal to the fovea of the control group and the OSAHS group was 266. 23 ± 58.10μ m and 277. 12 ± 63. 99μ m respectively, and the difference was not significant (t= -0.599, P= 0.552). There were no significant differences among subgroups after grading based on the severity of sleep apnea hypopnea index and blood oxygen concentration. ·CONCLUSION: Compared with healthy individuals, choroidal thickness of patients with OSAHS decreases slightly (except for the location of 2mm nasal to the fovea),but the alteration is not significant. The severity of OSAHS has no effect on the choroidal thickness for the patients first diagnosis of OSAHS.

Mortality of HIV infected clients treated with methadone maintenance treatment in Yili Kazakh autonomous prefecture / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mortality of HIV infected clients from methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics in Yili Kazakh autonomous prefecture as well as the factors associated with mortality of HIV infected clients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective cohort study was performed. Data of 860 cases were collected from National Methadone Maintenance Treatment database, National AIDS/HIV database and antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment database for adults. Information collected included demographic information of HIV infected clients, methadone daily treatment information, CD4 testing information, ART treatment information and death information. Recruiting began from August, 2005 through May, 2011. Cox proportional regression was used to identify factors associated with mortality. The proportional hazard assumption was assessed using Schoenfeld's residuals test. Missing values were imputed using the multiple linear regression method. R software (version 2.13.0) was used to perform data analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 860 HIV positive MMT clients were analyzed. The methadone dose for study subjects was (38.2 ± 20.7) mg/d. 27.8% (239/860) of study subjects participated in ART treatment, 38.7% (333/860) had never tested for CD4 count. The age for study subjects was (32.9 ± 6.4) years old. Among all these subjects, 67.3% (579/860) were married. During the observation period, 151 deaths were observed in 2192.9 person years. The average observation time was 2.6 year for each subject. The all-cause mortality rate was 68.9‰. Cox proportion model showed that ART treatment (HR = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.32 - 0.88), baseline CD4 count at 200 - 350 cells/µl (HR = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.20 - 0.60), baseline CD4 count more than 350 cells/µl (HR = 0.16, 95%CI: 0.09 - 0.29), and marriage (HR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.37 - 0.82) were associated with less mortality compared with control group. Age (more than 45 years old) (HR = 5.20, 95%CI: 2.60 - 10.20) and sharing needles (HR = 1.40, 95%CI: 1.02 - 2.00) were risk factors associated with death.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High mortality rate was observed among HIV infected clients. Methadone clinic should provide ART treatment or ART referral services.</p>

An initial report of cyberknife radiosurgery for primary hepatic carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the efficacy and toxicity of cyberknife radiosurgery for primary hepatic carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From September 2006 to March 2008, 17 patients with clinical stage I-III primary hepatic carcinoma were treated with cyberknife at Tianjin Cancer Hospital. 12 patients received previous treatment of surgery, or interventional therapy or radiofrequency therapy before the cyberknife radiosurgery. Totally 23 lesions in the liver were treatment. The median planning target volume (PTV) was 75 ml (13 - 351 ml). Fiducials were placed in or adjacent to the tumor one week before the CT scan simulation. The median total prescription dose was 45 Gy (range: 39 - 52 Gy) at 3-8 fractions and the median prescription isodose lines was of 78.0% (range: 75.0% - 81.0%.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The follow-up time was 3-30 months (median: 14 months). All patients finished the treatment and slightly fatigue was the most common complain. There were 12 patients alive and 5 patients died. All the lesions in liver treated by the cyberknife radiosurgery achieved local control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cyberknife radiosurgery for primary hepatic carcinoma showed a high rate of local control and minimal toxicity. Long time follow-up is necessary to evaluate the survival data and late toxicity.</p>

Clinical observation on effect of compound Shiwei Tablet in treating urinary tract infection / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Compound Shiwei Tablet (CST) in treating upper and lower urinary tract infection (UTI, pyretic stranguria of dampness-heat of the Lower-jiao type in 'TCM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A multi-center, randomized, and opened clinical trial was conducted in the UTI patients with Sanjin Tablet (ST) as the parallel positive control medicine. The comprehensive efficacy, effect on TCM syndrome score, and change of urinary leukocyte count were observed, and the adverse reaction was recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 147 upper UTI cases and the 312 lower UTI cases after treatment, the comprehensive effect was higher and urinary leukocyte was less in the CST treated patients than in the ST treated patients (P < 0.05); but significant difference in the improvement of TCM symptoms was found between them only in the lower UTI cases ( P < 0.05); and no adverse reaction was observed during the treatment course.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CST has definite therapeutic efficacy on UTI and is safe in clinical application.</p>

The Interaction Between Human TRIM5? Chimera and HIV-1gag Protein in Vitro / 中国生物工程杂志

Objective:To express and purify the TRIM5? chimaera[TRIM5? H(R328-332)] protein and to explore the interaction between the TRIM5? H(R328-332)and HIV-1gag. Methods:The plasmid pET28aTRIM5? H(R328-332) was transformed to E.coli BL21 (DE3) strain ,and the expression of TRIM5? H(R328-332) protein was induced by IPTG,purified with Ni2+ chromatography.The expression and purification of TRIM5? H(R328-332) were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot,and the interaction between TRIM5? H(R328-332) and HIV-1gag was detected by co-immunoprecipitation,His pull-down and ELISA. Results:The recombinant plasmid pET28aTRIM5? H(R328-332) was successfully expressed in E.coli. The results showed that the purified full length TRIM5? H(R328-332) interacted with HIV-1gag protein. Conclusion:The human TRIM5? chimaera was expressed successfully in vitro,and the study demonstrates that the human TRIM5? chimaera interacts with HIV-1 gag in vitro.

Psychosocial Factor and Immune Function of Patients with Breast Cancer before Operation / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:To compare psychosocial factors and immune function between patients with breast cancer and benign tumor before operation.Methods:The patients of breast tumor(56 case)were measured by clinical psychological rating scale(EPQ、HAMD、HAMA、LES、SSRS、DSQ)before operation,and their serum levels of IgA, CD_4~+,CD_(19)~+ and the activity of NK cell were measured.The patients of breast tumor were divided into breast cancer group(36 case)and benign tumor group(22 case)bases on results of pathology.Results:In breast cancer group, there were significantly higher scores of neurotic,total and negative life events,immature defense styles,HAMA and HAMD than those in benign tumor group;while NK cell activity,levels of CD_4~+ and CD_(19)~+ and the score of mature defense,social supports,subjective supports and utility degree of supports were marked lower.There were significantly correlation between immune function(NK cell activity,content of CD_4~+,CD_(19)~+,IgA)and psychosocial factors(social support,P score of EPQ,HAMD and HAMA total score,quantity of negative life events etc). Conclusion:Cancer patients had more server psychosocial problems and lower immune function.The immune function of patient with breast cancer before operation is associated with the various psychosocial factors.