Flavonoid-Rich Extract of Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb. Inhibits Gastric Cancer by Activation of Caspase-Dependent Mitochondrial Apoptosis / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the apoptosis and cycle arrest effects of Oldenlandia diffusa flavonoids on human gastric cancer cells, determine the action mechanisms in association with the mitochondrial dependent signal transduction pathway that controls production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and evaluate the pharmacodynamics of a mouse xenotransplantation model to provide a reference for the use of flavonoids in prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.@*METHODS@#Flavonoids were extracted by an enzymatic-ultrasonic assisted method and purified with D-101 resin. Bioactive components were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography. Cell lines MKN-45, AGS, and GES-1 were treated with different concentrations of flavonoids (64, 96, 128, 160 µg/mL). The effect of flavonoids on cell viability was evaluated by MTT method, and cell nuclear morphology was observed by Hoechst staining. The apoptosis rate and cell cycle phases were measured by flow cytometry, the production of ROS was detected by laser confocal microscope, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were observed by fluorescence microscope, and the expression of apoptotic proteins related to activation of mitochondrial pathway were measured by immunoblotting. MKN-45 cells were transplanted into BALB/c nude mice to establish a xenograft tumor model. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to reveal the subcutaneous tumor tissue. The tumor volume and tumor weight were measured, the expression levels of proliferation markers proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression levels of CA72-4 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.@*RESULTS@#Oldenlandia diffusa flavonoids inhibited proliferation of MKN-45 and AGS human gastric cancer cells, arrested the cell cycle in G1/S phase, induced accumulation of ROS in the process of apoptosis, and altered MMP. In addition, flavonoids increased Apaf-1, Cleaved-Caspase-3, and Bax, and decreased Cyclin A, Cdk2, Bcl-2, Pro-Caspase-9, and Mitochondrial Cytochrome C (P<0.05). The MKN-45 cell mouse xenotransplantation model further clarified the growth inhibitory effect of flavonoids towards tumors. The expression levels of PCNA and Ki-67 decreased in each flavonoid dose group, the expression level of CA72-4 decreased (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Flavonoids derived from Oldenlandia diffusa can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells by activating the mitochondrial controlled signal transduction pathway.

The acceptability of vaginal self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing among a multi-ethnic Asian female population / 부인종양

Objective@#In Malaysia, a cytology based program for cervical screening was implemented in 1969. Unfortunately, pap smear uptake has been low. The most common barriers to screening were embarrassment, time constraint and poor awareness to screening. As Malaysia is transitioning from a cytology-based screening to self-sampling human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as the primary screening method, it is therefore important to assess the acceptability of this screening approach in this multiethnic setting. @*Methods@#This was a cross-sectional study which recruited women aged 30–65 from several community-based cervical screening programs using self-sampling HPV testing across urban and suburban areas in all over Malaysia from April 2018 to May 2022. All women were instructed to self-collect vaginal samples for HPV testing using a dry flocked swab. All samples were genotyped on a clinically validated platform which allowed the detection of any high-risk HPV DNA. Approximately 2,000 women were randomly selected and interviewed to document their screening experience after the self-sampling procedure. @*Results@#A total of 19,835 women participated in the community-based cervical screening program using self-sampling HPV testing. The major ethnic group was Malay (68.4%) followed by Chinese (16.4%) and Indians (9.9%). Of these, 1,113 (5.7%) were positive for any high-risk HPV infection whereas 371 (1.9%) did not yield valid HPV results due to insufficient human DNA. A total of 2,012 participants responded to an interview regarding their screening experience using self-sampling HPV testing. Among these women, 1,179 (58.5%) did not attend regular Pap smear screening. Out of those who had ever performed Pap smear, 83.2% of them indicated a preference towards self-sampling HPV testing over Pap smear. Furthermore, 99% of them were willing to repeat this screening test as a routine screening method in the future. More than 95% of women perceived self-sampling HPV testing as easy, convenient and not embarrassing. Additionally, more than 80% of women felt comfortable and confident collecting their vaginal samples. This implies that self-sampling HPV testing is highly acceptable in our setting. @*Conclusion@#HPV testing via self-collection method is highly acceptable and preferred over Pap smear in the Malaysian multiethnic population. It is a promising approach to increase screening coverage which is an essential key target to be achieved in order to eliminate cervical cancer in Malaysia.

Comparative study on anti-depressant effect of Zhizichi Decoction and its solid fermentation product on CUMS rats / 中国中药杂志

Chronic unpredicted mild stress(CUMS) combined with isolated feeding was used to induce depressed rat model. The anti-depressant effects of Zhizichi Decoction(ZZCD) and its solid fermented product(ZZC) were analyzed by behavioral test and comparison of pathological tissues of hippocampus and liver, metabolic characteristics of intestinal flora, and relative abundance of species. The results showed that ZZC could increase sucrose preference, shorten the immobility time in the forced swim test and tail suspension test(P<0.05), and repair damaged hippocampus and liver tissues, and the effect was superior to that of ZZCD. The results of Biolog ECO plates showed that the average well color development(AWCD) of intestinal flora in the model group significantly decreased and the metabolic levels of sugar and amino acids were reduced, while the AWCD of the treatment groups increased. The metabolic levels of the two carbon sources were improved in the ZZC group, while only sugar metabolic level was elevated in the ZZCD group. Metagenomic analysis of intestinal flora showed that the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes was 3.87 in the control group, 21.77 in the model group, 5.91 in the ZZC group, and 18.48 in the ZZCD group. Lactobacillus increased by 3.28 times, and Prevotella and Bacteroidetes decreased by 75.59% and 76.39%, respectively in the model group as compared with that in the control group. Lactobacillus decreased by 31.13%, and Prevotella and Bacteroidetes increased by more than three times in the ZZC group as compared with that in the model group, while the corresponding changes in the ZZCD group were not significant. ZZC could improve depression-like beha-viors by regulating the structure of intestinal flora and metabolic functions and repairing damaged hippocampus and liver tissues in depressed rats, showing an anti-depressant effect superior to that of ZZCD. This study is expected to provide a basis for the development of new anti-depressant food products.

Application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with SonoLiver software in intraoperative diagnosis of glioma / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To explore the application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with SonoLiver software including quantitative analysis and dynamic vascular pattern (DVP) in the intraoperative diagnosis of glioma.Methods:SonoLiver software was used to analyze the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) process of 252 cases with different grades of gliomas in General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command of PLA from 2006 to 2016. Among them, 144 were in the low-grade gliomas (LGG) group and 108 were in the high-grade gliomas (HGG) group. The quantitative parameters included maximum intensity (IMAX), time to peak (TTP) and mean transit time (mTT). The images of each CEUS were obtained, and the microvessel density (MVD) of corresponding pathology was compared, so as to analyze their correlations and characteristics.Results:There were significant differences in IMAX, TTP and mTT between the CEUS parameters of gliomas with different grades. IMAX in HGG group was significantly higher than that in LGG group( P<0.001), while TTP was shorter ( P=0.017) and mTT was longer( P=0.030). By correlation analysis between MVD and the CEUS parameters, MVD was positively correlated with IMAX ( r s=0.736, P<0.001) and mTT( r s=0.184, P=0.003), but negatively correlated with TTP( r s=-0.186, P=0.003). Compared with DVP images, the tumor areas of LGG group were mainly warm and black colors with small spots of cool-colored areas, and most of the surrounding areas were more obvious black areas. In HGG group, the tumor areas were mainly warm colors. Most of which were scattered in patchy cold colors areas, and the surrounding black areas were less ( P<0.05). There were significant differences in differentiating gliomas boundary before and after using DVP technique ( P<0.05). After using DVP, the boundary of glioma was clearer and more discernible. The discernibility of HGG group was up to 99%, and that of LGG group reached 97%. Conclusions:SonoLiver software can effectively and quantitatively analyze the CEUS parameters of gliomas with different grades, and its DVP images can directly reflect the contrast perfusion characteristics of gliomas, providing a new way to distinguish the boundary of gliomas and a new imaging method for the differential diagnosis of high and low grades of gliomas.

Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis: A rare manifestation of cervical adenocarcinoma

@#Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) denotes the presence of sterile non-infective vegetation on structurally normal, or subtly degenerate cardiac valves and is often associated with advanced malignancies. In gynaecological cancer in particular, NBTE has been most commonly associated with ovarian cancer.1,2 Here we report a rare but interesting case of NBTE in a patient with locally advanced cervical adenocarcinoma.

Effects of obesity on global genome DNA methylation and gene imprinting in mouse spermatozoa / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the influence of high fat diet-induced obesity (HFDIO) on the differentially methylated region (DMR) of the imprinted gene and global genome methylation of sperm DNA.@*METHODS@#We performed bisulfite sequencing on the DMR of the imprinted gene and global genome methylation of sperm DNA in the mouse model of HFDIO.@*RESULTS@#No statistically significant differences were found between the HFDIO model and normal control mice in MEG3-IG (93.73 vs 97.26%, P = 0.252), H19 (98.00 vs 97.83%, P = 0.920), IGF2 (97.34 vs 96.25%, P =0.166), IGF2R (1.43 vs 1.11%, P = 0.695), PEG3 (0.19 vs 0.38%, P = 0.537), MEST (0.23 vs 0.68%, P = 0.315), NNAT (0.31 vs 0.00%, P = 0.134), or SNRPN (1.88 vs 3.13%, P = 0.628). A total of 8 942 DMRs were detected across the sperm genome (P <0.05). Gene functional enrichment analysis indicated that the enriched terms with the largest numbers of genes were the metabolic process (n = 1 482), RNA synthesis (n = 779), and transcription (n = 767).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The methylation level underwent no significant change in the DMRs of the imprinted genes from the mice with HFDIO, but the CG methylation of the genes involved in the metabolic process, RNA synthesis and transcription were significantly altered.

Ultrasound evaluation in recombinant human bonemorphogenic protein-2 ( rhBMP-2 ) artificial bone angiogenesis / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To evaluate the application value of ultrasound in vascularization of different artificial bones . Methods A total of 15 New Zealand rabbits were utilized for model establishment of classic segmental bone defect in bilateral radius . Recombinant human bonemorphogenic protein-2 ( rhBMP-2 ) coralline hydroxyapatite(CHA) and CHA were implanted into left and right limbs . Each CHA was divided into 4 equal parts which were examined with conventional ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography( CEUS ) on 3 d ,7 d ,11 d ,15 d ,30 d and 45 d respectively . CEUS quantitative was performed by time-intensity curve(TIC) ,which parameters including the basic intensity(BI) ,peak intensity (PI) ,increased signal intensity ( ΔSI) and time to peak ( TTP) . Then the results were analyzed and compared to pathology . Results Within the same duration ,the vascularization degree in rhBMP-2 group was stronger than that in the ordinary group with advanced vascularization time . Positive correlation was detected between ΔSI and time of both groups ( r =0 .938 ,0 .890 ;P =0 .000) ,and negative correlation was found between BI/PI or TTP and time ( BI/PI: r = -0 .798 ,-0 .899 ; P = 0 .000 ;TTP= r -0 .874 ,-0 .868 ;P = 0 .000 ) . No statistical significance was observed among four observation points of both CHA ,which indicated no obvious difference in vascularization degree of each observation point . Conclusions The structure of bone graft can be clearly displayed by conventional ultrasound ,and CEUS is able to show the early blood perfusion in two CHA grafts and to accurately evaluate the difference of CHA microvascular growth before and after rhBMP-2 application . The combination of these two techniques is a promising approach of evaluating bone graft vascularization in clinical practice .

Preparation and Evaluation of Levosalbutamol Sulfate-Ambroxol Hydrochloride Dry Powder Inhalation / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To select excipients and optimize preparation for the ambroxol hydrochloride/levosalbutamol sulfate dry powder inhalation. METHODS: Drug and different excipients in the same ratio were prepared by spray drying to obtain a certain particle size as drug particles or carriers for dry powder inhalation, respectively. Study and compare the parameters of powders of the dry powder inhaler, such as the angle of repose, moisture content, and emptying rate, etc, to screen the excipient of the vectors. Afterward, Box-Behnken design method was adopted to optimize of preparation parameters. RESULTS: When lactose-high branched cyclodextrin compounds were used as composite carriers, their powder properties meet the requirements of dry powder inhaler, such as the repose angle was 39.69 degrees, the bulk density was 0.37 g·mL-1, the tap density was 0.66 g·mL-1, the evacuation rate of drug-carrier powders in capsules was 93.12%, and the water content was 0.10% and the simulated lung deposition rate was 14.63%. The preparation parameters, such as sample concentration, inlet air temperature, nozzle diameter parameters, theirs values were 50 mg·mL-1, 110℃, 1 mm, respectively, were opmized by Box-Behnken design method, which could obtain the carrier particle size of 30.33 μm. CONCLUSION: Lactose-high branched cyclodextrin complexes can be used as carrier for levosalbutamol sulfate-ambroxol hydrochloride compound dry powder inhaler, which could meet the requirements of dry powder inhaler by spray-drying preparation method.

Transforming Growth Factor-beta 1 Involved in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis through Regulating Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor under Hypoxia / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Endometriosis (EMs) is a common gynecological disorder characterized by endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. Hypoxia induces the expression of many important downstream genes to regulate the implantation, survival, and maintenance of ectopic endometriotic lesions. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) plays a major role in the etiology of EMs. We aimed to determine whether TGF-β1 affects EMs development and progression and its related mechanisms in hypoxic conditions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Endometrial tissue was obtained from women with or without EMs undergoing surgery from October, 2015 to October, 2016. Endometrial cells were cultured and then exposed to hypoxia and TGF-β1 or TGF-β1 inhibitors. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels of TGF-β1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) were measured. A Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay was used to examine the effect of TGF-β1 and hypoxia on a VEGF promoter construct. Student's t-test was performed for comparison among groups (one-sided or two-sided) and a value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TGF-β1, VEGF, HIF-1α mRNA, and protein expression were significantly higher in EMs tissue than that in normal endometrial tissue (t = 2.16, P = 0.042). EMs primary cultured cells exposed to hypoxia expressed 43.8% higher VEGF mRNA and protein (t = 6.84, P = 0.023). VEGF mRNA levels increased 12.5% in response to TGF-β, whereas the combined treatment of hypoxia/TGF-β1 resulted in a much higher production (87.5% increases) of VEGF. The luciferase activity of the VEGF promoter construct was increased in the presence of either TGF-β1 (2.6-fold, t = 6.08, P = 0.032) or hypoxia (11.2-fold, t = 32.70, P < 0.001), whereas the simultaneous presence of both stimuli resulted in a significant cooperative effect (18.5-fold, t = 33.50, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The data support the hypothesis that TGF-β1 is involved in the pathogenesis of EMs through regulating VEGF expression. An additive effect of TGF-β1 and hypoxia is taking place at the transcriptional level.</p>

Folic acid deficiency and tumorigenesis / 第二军医大学学报

Folic acid, also know as pteroymonoglutamic acid and vitamin M, is one of the important constituents of vegetables and fruits. 5-methyltetrahydrofolate is the biologically active form of folate, and acts as carriers of one-carbon moieties for many biological processes, such as synthesis of nucleotide and proteins and epigenetic modification. Epigenetic modification plays an important role in the tumorigenesis. Recent epidemiological studies indicate that folic acid deficiency in vivo has a close correlation with tumorigenesis. Folate deficiency may induce tumorigenesis via global DNA hypomethylation and internal specific nucleotide site hypermethylation, finally leading to tumorigenesis. This review mainly focused on the correlation of folic acid deficiency with tumorigenesis.

Implementation of a Pediatric Emergency Triage System in Xiamen, China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Pediatric emergency rooms (PERs) in Chinese hospitals are perpetually full of sick and injured children because of the lack of sufficiently developed community hospitals and low access to family physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of a new five-level Chinese pediatric emergency triage system (CPETS), modeled after the Canadian Triage System and Acuity Scale.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this study, we compared CPETS outcomes in our PER relative to those of the prior two-level system. Patients who visited our PER before (January 2013-June 2013) and after (January 2014-June 2014) the CPETS was implemented served as the control and experimental group, respectively. Patient flow, triage rates, triage accuracy, wait times (overall and for severe patients), and patient/family satisfaction were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Relative to the performance of the former system experienced by the control group, the CPETS experienced by the experimental group was associated with a reduced patient flow through the PER (Cox-Stuart test, t = 0, P < 0.05), a higher triage rate (93.40% vs. 90.75%; χ2 = 801.546, P < 0.001), better triage accuracy (96.32% vs. 85.09%; χ2 = 710.904, P < 0.001), shorter overall wait times (37.30 ± 13.80 min vs. 41.60 ± 15.40 min; t = 11.27, P < 0.001), markedly shorter wait times for severe patients (2.07 [0.65, 4.11] min vs. 3.23 [1.90,4.36] min; z = -2.057, P = 0.040), and higher family satisfaction rates (94.23% vs. 92.21%; χ2 = 321.528, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Implementing the CPETS improved nurses' abilities to triage severe patients and, thus, to deliver the urgent treatments more quickly. The system shunted nonurgent patients to outpatient care effectively, resulting in improved efficiency of PER health-care delivery.</p>

Role of pannexin 1 channels in cisplatin-induced apoptosis in I-10 cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of pannexin 1 channels in cisplatin-induced apoptosis in I-10 cells and the mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MTT assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of cisplatin (DDP) in I-10 cells. Annexin V/PI double staining and Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining were employed to detect early- and late-stage apoptosis of the cells, respectively. Extracellular ATP level and intracellular IP3 level in the cells were detected using commercial detection kits.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>I-10 cells exposed to both CBX (a pannexin 1 channel inhibitor) and DDP showed a higher cell viability compared with the cells exposed to DDP alone (P<0.01). CBX significantly decreased cisplatin-induced early-stage apoptosis (P<0.001) and late-stage apoptosis (P<0.01), and cause obvious reductions in extracellular ATP and intracellular IP3 levels during cisplatin-induced apoptosis (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pannexin 1 channels participate in cisplatin-induced apoptosis in I-10 cells possibly through the ATP/IP3 pathway.</p>

Optimization of prescription of ambroxol hydrochloride sandwich osmotic pump tablets by Box-Behnken design-response surface method / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the formulation of ambroxol hydrochloride sandwich osmotic pump tablets using Box-Behnken design response surface method. METHODS: Firstly, significant factors, including amount of glucose, ratio of pore former to weight of coating, and thicknesss of coating, were chosen carefully by single-factor methods, then Box-Behnken design-response surface method was adopted to understand the effects of these factors on the drug release by using similarity factor f2 as evaluation index. And multiple linear regression model and quadratic polynomial equation were established to evaluate the relationship between these factors and similarity factor f2. Secondly, the permeation mechanism of sandwich osmotic pump was studied carefully by SEM and drug release behavior investigation. RESULTS: The quadratic polynomial equation was ideal to fit the prediction result of drug release; the optimal formulation according to Design-Expert8.0.5 software was established as follows: 50 mg of glucose, 8% of pore former, 9% of coating weight. The f2 was approximate 89.33 compared with ideal drug release curve, which was relatively close to the model-predicted f2 value (88.89). Through investigation of permeation mechanism, it was found that the drug release from this delivery system was driven by osmotic pressure difference between the interior of tablets and the release medium. By means of SEM observation, it was shown that some pores on the coating surface were produced after drug release in the medium, but few before drug release, which cued that a lot of medium got into the interior of tablets through the tunnels formed by the porogen in the coating. CONCLUSION: Box-Behnken design method can be used to optimize the formulation of sandwich osmotic pump tablets.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of splenic artery steal syndrome after liver transplantation / 器官移植

Objective To evaluate the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of splenic artery steal syndrome (SASS ) after liver transplantation. Methods Routine ultrasonography and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)were performed in 10 cases with SASS (SASS group)and 8 cases of control patients with normal liver function after liver transplantation. The ultrasonographic findings of SASS were summed up. The diagnostic efficacy of CEUS was compared with that of digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Results In the SASS group,2D ultrasonography showed that the hepatic parenchyma was normal or there were some tiny necrosis foci in it,and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI)showed that the blood flow signal of the hepatic artery was sparse or punctiform. CEUS showed the delayed and weak contrast-enhanced signals in hepatic artery after transplantation. The internal diameter of the splenic artery increased while that of the hepatic artery decreased. There was no significant difference between CEUS and DSA. Conclusions The routine ultrasonography and CEUS have a high value on the detection of suspected abnormal vascular system of transplant liver after liver transplantation as the noninvasive diagnostic tools.

Cognitive behavioral therapy in combination with systemic family therapy improves mild to moderate postpartum depression

Objective: To explore the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in combination with systemic family therapy (SFT) on mild to moderate postpartum depression and sleep quality. Methods: 249 primiparous women with mild to moderate postpartum depression were recruited and randomly assigned to a control group (n=128), which received conventional postpartum care, or to a psychological intervention group (n=121), which received conventional postpartum care combined with psychological intervention. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were employed to evaluate depression and sleep quality, respectively. Results: 104 patients in the intervention group and 109 in the control group completed the study. After intervention, the EPDS score, PSQI score, sleep quality score, sleep latency score, sleep duration score, habitual sleep efficiency score, sleep disturbance score, and daytime dysfunction score were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group. The EPDS and PSQI scores of each group at different time points after intervention were markedly decreased compared with those before intervention, and the reduction in the intervention group was more evident than that in the control group. Conclusion: CBT in combination with SFT can improve depression and sleep quality in patients with mild to moderate postpartum depression. .

Differential expression of microRNA in chronic hepatitis B patients of pi-wei dampness-heat syndrome and of gan depression Pi deficiency syndrome: a primary research / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore different microRNA expression profiles between chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients of Pi-Wei dampness-heat syndrome (PWDHS) and Gan depression Pi deficiency syndrome (GDPDS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By applying gene chip technology, blood samples from CHB patients of PWDHS (3 cases), GDPDS (3 cases), and healthy volunteers (3 cases) were withdrawn and microRNA detected. The microRNA was screened and functional analyses performed by using SAS system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 77 microRNAs with differential expression were screened from CHB patients of PWDHS and healthy volunteers, including 60 up-regulated microRNAs and 17 down-regulated microRNAs. Functions of target genes were mainly associated with transcription factors, gas exchange, adverse stimulating, regulation of enzyme activities, developing of the immune system, and the process of actin filaments. Totally 41 microRNAs with differential expression were screened from CHB patients of GDPDS and healthy volunteers, including 32 up-regulated microRNAs and 9 down-regulated microRNAs. Functions of target genes were mainly associated with binding to nucleotide or chromatin, inhibition and activation of transcription, biosynthesis, regulation of metabolic process, regulation of enzyme activities, developing of the immune system, the process of actin filaments, and IL-12. Totally 6 microRNAs with differential expression were screened from CHB patients of PWDHS and CHB patients of GDPDS, including 1 up-regulated microRNA and 5 down-regulated microRNAs. Functions of target genes were mainly associated with transmembrane transport, regulation of transcription factors, metabolism of hormones, developing of the immune system, the process of actin filaments, regulation of metabolic process, response to exterior stimulation, and so on.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There existed differentially expressed microRNAs (spectrum) between CHB patients of PWDHS and CHB patients of GDPDS.</p>

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the splenic artery steal syndrome of liver transplantation / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To investigate the utilization of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the detection of splenic artery steal syndrome (SASS) after orthotropic liver transplantation (OLT).Methods Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) were performed at various time points post-operatively.CEUS and celiac angiography were conducted in patients suspected of SASS.Results 9 patients were suspected of SASS by slim or undetectable hepatic arterial Doppler blood signals by CDFI at various time points postoperatively.CEUS in 9 patients showed a delayed and weak contrast-enhanced blood signal in the hepatic artery associated with a rapid and intense enhancement of portal venous blood.No narrowing of a hyperintense signal was observed in the hepatic artery by CEUS.The 9 diagnoses of SASS were proven by celiac angiography.Conclusions SASS is identified as a sluggish and weak hyperintense blood signal in the hepatic artery without the narrowing and interruption of hypeintense signal in CEUS.CEUS is an effective imaging modality for detection of SASS following OLT.

Clinical evaluation of an in-house human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) genotyping assay for the detection of drug resistance mutations in HIV-1 infected patients in Singapore

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genotyping resistance test (GRT) is essential for monitoring HIV-1 drug resistance mutations (DRMs). High cost and HIV-1 genetic variability are challenges to assay availability in Singapore. An in-house Sanger sequencing-based GRT method was developed at the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC), Singapore's HIV national treatment reference centre for both subtype B and non-subtype B HIV-1.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>The in-house GRT sequenced the fi rst 99 codons of protease (PR) and 244 codons of reverse transcriptase (RT) in the pol gene. The results were compared with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved ViroSeq™ HIV-1 Genotyping System.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Subtype assignment for the 46 samples were as follows: 31 (67.4%) CRF01_AE, 14 (30.5%) subtype B and 1 (2.1%) subtype C. All 46 samples had viral load of ≥500 copies/mL, and were successfully amplified by the in-house primer sets. Compared to the ViroSeq™ test, our in-house assay showed drug-resistance conferring codon concordance of 99.9% at PR and 98.9% at RT, and partial concordance of 0.1% at PR and 1.1% at RT. No discordant result was observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The assay successfully identified DRMs in both subtype AE and B, making it suitable for the efficient treatment monitoring in genetically diverse population. At less than half of the running cost compared to the ViroSeq™ assay, the broadly sensitive in-house assay could serve as a useful addition to the currently limited HIV genotyping assay options for resource-limited settings, thereby enhancing the DRM surveillance and monitoring in the region.</p>

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of orthostatic hypotension in the elderly and retired population / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in the elderly and retired population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1174 elderly and retired people underwent health screening physical examination in Guangzhou military region were included. The orthostatic blood pressure and heart rate were measured in supine position after resting for more than 5 minutes and at 0 and 2 min after standing. Subjects were divided into OH positive group and OH negative group. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as 20 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) or greater decrease in SBP and/or 10 mm Hg or greater decrease in DBP after standing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of OH in this cohort was 25.6% at either 0 or 2 min after standing (21.6% or 20.7% respectively). Incidence of hypertension, myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), ischemic stroke and diabetes was significantly higher in OH positive group than in OH negative group (all P < 0.05), however, antihypertensive medication was similar between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Orthostatic hypotension is common in the elderly and retired population and is associated with increased risk of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.</p>

Optimization of a floating osmotic pump system of ambroxol hydrochloride using central composite design-response surface methodology and its pharmacokinetics in Beagle dogs / 药学学报

This paper reported that a new type of floating osmotic pump of ambroxol hydrochloride was designed. Third method apparatus (Chinese Pharmacopeia 2010, appendix XD) was employed to simultaneously evaluate the release and floating behavior in vitro. The system was optimized using central composite design-response surface methodology. Similar factor (f2) between the release profile of self-made formulation and the target release profile was chosen as dependent factor. The amount of glucose (A, mg), pore former (B, %) and weight of coating (C, %) were employed as independent factors. Optimized formulation was: A (100.99 mg), B (1.70%), C (4.21%). The value of f2 (89.14) was higher than that of market capsules (69.02) and self-made tablets (72.15). It was showed that self-made capsules possessed character of zero-order release (r = 0.994 4) and drug release completely (>90%). It was showed in result of in vivo study that tmax and Cmax of self-made capsules were significantly lower than that of market capsules and self-made tablets. The correlation coefficient between the fraction of absorption in vivo and the release rate in vitro was 0.985 1, and relative bioequivalence of self-made capsules was 110.77%. Accordingly, self-made capsules displayed obviously characteristics of controlled release both in vivo and in vitro.