Formulation optimization of emodin nanostructured lipid carriers by Box-Behnken response surface method and in vitro quality evaluation / 中国中药杂志

Emodin nanostructured lipid carriers(ED-NLC) were prepared and their quality was evaluated in vitro. Based on the results of single-factor experiments, the ED-NLC formulation was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface method with the dosages of emodin, isopropyl myristate and poloxamer 188 as factors and the nanoparticle size, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading as evaluation indexes. Then the evaluation was performed on the morphology, size and in vitro release of the nanoparticles prepared by emulsification-ultrasonic dispersion method in line with the optimal formulation, i.e., 3.27 mg emodin, 148.68 mg isopropyl myristate and 173.48 mg poloxamer 188. Under a transmission electron microscope(TEM), ED-NLC were spherical and their particle size distribution was uniform. The particle size of ED-NLC was(97.02±1.55) nm, the polymer dispersion index 0.21±0.01, the zeta potential(-38.96±0.65) mV, the encapsulation efficiency 90.41%±0.56% and the drug loading 1.55%±0.01%. The results of differential scanning calorimeter(DSC) indicated that emodin may be encapsulated into the nanostructured lipid carriers in molecular or amorphous form. In vitro drug release had obvious characteristics of slow release, which accorded with the first-order drug release equation. The fitting model of Box-Behnken response surface methodology was proved accurate and reliable. The optimal formulation-based ED-NLC featured concentrated particle size distribution and high encapsulation efficiency, which laid a foundation for the follow-up study of ED-NLC in vivo.

Efficacy of different types of self-expandable stents in carotid artery stenting for carotid bifurcation stenosis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Both open and closed loop self-expandable stents were used in carotid artery stenting (CAS) for carotid bifurcation stenosis. We sought to compare the efficacy of two types of stents in CAS. The data of 212 patients treated with CAS (42 and 170 cases implanted with closed and open loop stents, respectively) for carotid bifurcation stenosis and distal filtration protection devices were retrospectively analyzed. Between closed and open loop stents, there were no significant differences in hospitalization duration, NIHSS score before and after the treatment, stenosis at 12th month, and cumulative incidence of primary endpoint events within 30 days or from the 31st day to the 12th month; while there were significant differences in hemodynamic changes and rate of difficulty in recycling distal filtration protection devices. Use of open vs. closed loop stents for carotid bifurcation stenosis seems to be associated with similar incidence of complications, except for greater rate of hemodynamic changes and lower rate of difficulty in recycling the distal filtration protection devices.

Efficacy of different types of self-expandable stents in carotid artery stenting for carotid bifurcation stenosis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Both open and closed loop self-expandable stents were used in carotid artery stenting (CAS) for carotid bifurcation stenosis. We sought to compare the efficacy of two types of stents in CAS. The data of 212 patients treated with CAS (42 and 170 cases implanted with closed and open loop stents, respectively) for carotid bifurcation stenosis and distal filtration protection devices were retrospectively analyzed. Between closed and open loop stents, there were no significant differences in hospitalization duration, NIHSS score before and after the treatment, stenosis at 12th month, and cumulative incidence of primary endpoint events within 30 days or from the 31st day to the 12th month; while there were significant differences in hemodynamic changes and rate of difficulty in recycling distal filtration protection devices. Use of open vs. closed loop stents for carotid bifurcation stenosis seems to be associated with similar incidence of complications, except for greater rate of hemodynamic changes and lower rate of difficulty in recycling the distal filtration protection devices.

Neuroprotection of Stilbenes from Leaves of Cajanus cajan against Oxidative Damage Induced by Corticosterone and Glutamate in Differentiated PC12 Cells / 中草药·英文版

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of four stilbenes, namely cajaninstilbene acid (CSA), longistyline A, longistyline C, and cajanolactone A, isolated from the leaves of Cajanus cajan. Methods: Neuroprotective effects of the four stilbenes were evaluated using rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12 cells) damage models induced by corticosterone (Cort) or glutamate. In order to elaborate whether the neuroprotective effects of stilbenes are related to anti-oxidant properties, both oxidant and anti-oxidant parameters were measured. Results: The results of MTT assay and LDH release assay demonstrated that the four stilbenes possessed neuroprotective effects. Moreover, the treatment on PC12 cells with Cort or glutamate (Glu) could significantly increase the levels of ROS and MDA with decreasing the activities of SOD and CAT. However, the four tested stilbenes could significantly alleviate such situation by dropping out the levels of ROS and MDA, as well as enhancing the activities of SOD and CAT. Conclusion: These results provide a scientific basis for further studies to explore the potential neuroprotective effects on neurodegenerative diseases.

A new cyclic diarylheptanoid from the bark of Myrica rubra / 药学学报

To study the chemical constituents from the bark of Myrica rubra, fourteen compounds were isolated from the methanolic extract using various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified on the basis of chemical properties and spectroscopic data, as 3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxymyricanol (1), myricanol (2), myricanone (3), myricanol 11-sulfate (4), myricitrin (5), quercetin (6), quercetin-3-rhamnoside (7), tamarixol (8), uvaol (9), ursolic acid (10), taraxerol (11), myricadiol (12), β-sitosterol (13) and β-daucosterol (14). Among them, compound 1 is a new compound, named as 3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxymyricanol, compounds 8, 9 were isolated from the genus Myrica for the first time.

Chemical constituents from leaves of Cajanus cajan / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical compounds from the leaves of Cajanus cajan. Methods: Normal phase silica gel, medium-pressure ODS, MCI, and Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatographies were used to isolate and purify the constituents. And their structures were identified by their physical properties, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum, mass spectrometry, etc. Results: Twenty-three compounds were separated from the alcohol extract in the leaves of C. cajan. They were cajanine (1), longistyline A (2), longistyline C (3), cajanolactone A (4), pinostrobin (5), orientin (6), isovitexin (7), vitexin (8), cajanol (9), cajanin (10), prunetin (11), pratensein (12), (2R, 3R)-2, 3-dihydro-5-7, 4'-dimethoxyflavone (13), ethyl 10', 16'-dihydroxy hexadecanoate (14), vanillic acid (15), ethyl heptadecanoate (16), 2-O-quebrachitol (17), 2, 3, 4-trihydroxy-isovaleric acid (18), stigmasterol (19), betulinic acid (20), heptadecanoic acid (21), β-sitosterol (22), and β-daucosterol (23). Conclusion: Compounds 10-19 are obtained from this plant for the first time.

Neuroprotective effect of longistyline A against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells / 药学学报

This study is to investigate the protective effect of longistyline A against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. While PC12 cells were exposed to 100 micromol x L(-1) corticosterone for 48 h, cell survival rate was reduced and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release increased. In parallel, corticosterone caused significant elevations of DNA fragmentation, [Ca2+]i and caspase-3 activity. However, when the PC12 cells were incubated with longistyline A (4.0, 8.0 and 16.0 micromol x L(-1)) in the presence of 100 micromol x L(-1) corticosterone for 48 h, the effects were evidently alleviated, but dose-dependent manner was not obvious. In summary, longistyline A could generate a neuroprotective effect against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells possibly by decreasing [Ca2+]i and caspase-3 activity.

Proteomic changes in cerebral cortex of neonatal rats with experimental congenital hypothyroidism / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen differentially expressed brain proteins with proteomic method in cerebral cortex of neonatal rats with congenital hypothyroidism.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>From the 13th day of gestation, pregnant Wistar rats from the experimental group were given intragastrically with 2.5 ml of 1% propylthiouracil daily. Cerebral cortex specimens were collected from the control and hypothyroidism neonatal rats. Two-directional electrophoresis (2-DE) was applied to analyze protein expression diversities between the euthyroid and hypothyroidism neonatal rat cerebral cortex. Protein spots with significantly different expression were screened and identified by mass spectrometry. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to analyze serum FT(3), FT(4) levels of each groups.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The body weight of hypothyroid neonatal rats were lower than those in the corresponding control group (t = -8.07, P < 0.01). The FT(3) levels of hypothyroid neonatal rats were lower than those in the corresponding control group (t = 5.39, P < 0.01). The FT(4) levels of hypothyroid neonatal rats were lower than those in the corresponding control group (t = 7.62, P < 0.01). Stable 2-DE maps of normal and CH neonatal rat were constantly obtained. The maps were analyzed by software. Seven protein spots with high reproducibility, high resolution and significantly different expression were chosen and identified by mass spectrometry, including collapsing response mediator protein 2, actin related protein 2/3 complex subunit 5, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2-25K, ATP synthase subunit d, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, synuclein alpha, and nucleoside diphosphate kinase.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The value of this research is demonstrated here by the identification of several proteins known to be associated with nerve synapse structures formation, cell survival, metabolism, cell signal transduction, neural differentiation and nerve growth in the central nervous system. Furthermore this study identified several proteins except for collapsing response mediator protein 2 and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase that have not previously been described in the literature and which may play an important role as either sensitive biomarkers of brain dysfunction caused by congenital hypothyroidism. In congenital hypothyroidism, brain development retardation may be related with some important processes, including abnormal synaptic formation, excess ROS production and apoptosis. The above-mentioned proteins may play critical roles in the processes, which provide valuable clues to clarify the pathogenesis of brain developmental disorders induced by congenital hypothyroidism.</p>

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with high-dose iodized oil for hepatic VX2 tumor in rabbits / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with high-dose iodized oil on hepatic tumor growth and metastasis in rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight rabbits with implanted VX2 tumor were randomly divided into control group, routine dose iodized oil TACE group and high-dose iodized oil TACE group to receive perfusion through the hepatic artery with 0.9% saline, 5 mg adriamycin with routine-dose iodized oil, and 5 mg adriamycin with high-dose iodized oil, respectively. The tumor volume, tumor necrosis, intrahepatic and lung metastasis were examined 2 weeks after TACE.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant difference was found in the tumor volume between the 3 groups before TACE (P>0.05). The rabbits receiving TACE with iodized oil, especially at the high dose, showed significantly reduced tumor volume as compared with the control group (P<0.01). TACE with high-dose iodized oil resulted in significantly increased tumor necrosis rate in comparison with the control group and TACE with a routine dose of iodized oil (P<0.05); high-dose iodized oil TACE was also associated with reduced intrahepatic and lung metastasis as compared routine dose iodized oil TACE (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TACE with high-dose iodized oil can obviously inhibit the growth and intrahepatic and lung metastasis of transplanted VX2 liver tumor in rabbits .</p>

Clinical features and treatment of serious brainstem encephalitis caused by enterovirus 71 infection / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical features and treatment of serious brainstem encephalitis caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 32 hospitalized children with serious brainstem encephalitis caused by EV71 infection between May and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The children whose age was younger than 3 years old accounted for 88% (22 cases). Fever(>38.5 degrees centigrade)lasting at least 3 days, frequent vomiting and limb twitch were presented as the main manifestations in the 32 children. Cyanosis, tachypnea, tachycardia and cold extremities were observed, and pulmonary edema or even pulmonary hemorrhage occurred in 8 children 3 to 4 days after the onset. The 32 children received a medical treatment: reduction of intracranial pressure with mannitol or frusemide, inhibition of inflammation reactivity with gamma globulin and methylprednisolone, and improvement of cardiac function and pulmonary edema with innotropic agents, fluid restriction and positive mechanical ventilation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Vegetative nerve functional disturbance is the main clinical feature of brainstem encephalitis caused by EV71 infection in children. An early identification and treatment of pulmonary edema or hemorrhage is of great importance.</p>

Clinical selection of endovascular stenting and carotid endarterectomy in treatment of carotid artery stenosis / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore reasonable clinical decision in treating carotid artery stenosis under different conditions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of 133 carotid artery stenosis patients were retrospectively analyzed. Of the patients, 46 cases were treated with carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS), 87 patients received carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The length of hospital stay and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) grade before and after treatment in both groups were observed; the forward flow were assessed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) before and after treatment; the degree of carotid artery stenosis were determined by using ultrasound during 3 to 24 months after treatment in both groups; the cumulative incidence of major cardiovascular events was concentrated, including appearance of death, stroke or myocardial infarction during 30 days after CAS and CEA and death or homonymy stroke during 31 days to 2 years.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant difference was found in hospital stay and when NIHSS exceed 20 after treatment between the two groups (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference in the forward flow before and after treatment in both groups; the carotid artery stenosis had been improved significantly after the operation in both groups; the cumulative incidence of major cardiovascular events in CEA group was significantly higher than in CAS group in 30 days after the operation (P < 0.05), but no statistical difference in 31 days to 2 years after the operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CAS and CEA has equivalent effects in treating carotid artery stenosis, and should be selected according to the location of stenosis, etiological factors and the condition of opposite carotid artery.</p>

Comparision of different interventional therapies for primary liver cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy of different interventional therapies for primary hepatic cell cancer (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>1126 HCC patients before or after hepatectomy were treated by different kinds of interventional therapies: transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), TACE and radio-frequency ablation (RFA), Chinese traditional medicine and biotherapy after TACE or the transcatheter arterial infusion (TAI). The results of liver function, alpha-fetoprotein, imaging, color-ultrasonography and survival rate were reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>874 patients were followed up for 2 to 63 months. The overall 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate was 67.8% , 28.7% and 18.8%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate of patients who received TACE before hepatectomy was 74.7%, 41.4% and 36.9% ; after hepatectomy 78.9%, 40.4% and 37.5%, respectively. The response rate ( PR + NC) of TACE and RFA was 93.4%, and the 1-, 3-year survival rate was 74.5% and 36.8%, respectively, after TACE and RFA. The response rate (PR + NC) of TACE was 83.2% with 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate of 69.3%, 21.7%, 8.4% after TACE, respectively. The response rate (PR + NC) of TAI was 27.5% with 1-, 2-year survival rate of 11. 6% and 0 after TAI. The Child grade of liver function, color-ultrasonography and alpha-fetoprotein of TACE + RFA group, TACE and TAI were compared. There was no significant difference between each above mentioned index among TACE, RFA or TACE groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with other modalities, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) before or after hepatectomy is more effective than other interventional therapies for primary hepatocellular cancer, whereas, if combined with radiofrequency ablation (TAI), it is much more effective than TACE alone.</p>

Fine needle aspiration cytology of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma and its differential diagnosis / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) features and differential diagnosis of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four cases of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma diagnosed by FNAC were reported and confirmed by biopsy. Three of the cases were in early stages with tumor sizes smaller than 10 mm in diameter and without metastasis. The smears were stained by routine H & E and SudanIII methods. The cytologic findings were described and compared to corresponding histological features, and moreover, compared to chalazion, pilomatrixoma and eyelid basal cell carcinoma.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Neither hemorrhage nor infection were found after the examination. Abundant cells were observed in the sebaceous carcinoma FNAC smears. Two types of tumor cells were found: one showed tumor cells differentiating toward sebaceous gland, with large pale cells and vacuolated cytoplasm, the other demonstrated poorly-differentiated cell with dark and irregular nuclei. Numerous vacuoles with inequality of size were found in cytoplasm or in background in all four cases, and the SudanIII stain showed that these vacuoles contained lipid. Some smears demonstrated cells with basaloid, fusiform or squamous features, corresponding to various histopathological types. In contrast, smears of chalazion displayed inflammatory granuloma, containing several types of inflammatory cells without malignant cells. Smears of pilomatrixoma were cellular with three cell populations, which included bland sheets of basaloid cells, nucleated basophilic cells and anucleated keratinized "ghost cells", along with calcific debris. The smears of basal cell carcinoma were typically less cellular, more tightly cohesive and had smaller clusters of uniform hyperchromatic basaloid cells without vacuolization in cytoplasm or background. Overall, the cytological features of eyelid sebaceous carcinoma were distinct from those of chalazion, pilomatricoma and basal cell carcinoma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>FNAC is a safe and effective approach for the diagnosis of eyelid sebaceous carcinoma and lipid stain is useful in differential diagnosis. The application of FNAC may be important in reaching an early diagnosis and initial treatment of eyelid nodule.</p>