Visualization of nasal powder distribution using biomimetic human nasal cavity model

Nasal drug delivery efficiency is highly dependent on the position in which the drug is deposited in the nasal cavity. However, no reliable method is currently available to assess its impact on delivery performance. In this study, a biomimetic nasal model based on three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology was developed for visualizing the deposition of drug powders in the nasal cavity. The results showed significant differences in cavity area and volume and powder distribution in the anterior part of the biomimetic nasal model of Chinese males and females. The nasal cavity model was modified with dimethicone and validated to be suitable for the deposition test. The experimental device produced the most satisfactory results with five spray times. Furthermore, particle sizes and spray angles were found to significantly affect the experimental device's performance and alter drug distribution, respectively. Additionally, mometasone furoate (MF) nasal spray (NS) distribution patterns were investigated in a goat nasal cavity model and three male goat noses, confirming the in vitro and in vivo correlation. In conclusion, the developed human nasal structure biomimetic device has the potential to be a valuable tool for assessing nasal drug delivery system deposition and distribution.

Visual analysis of research hotspots and trends in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia with traditional Chinese medicine / 数字中医药（英文）

@#Objective Through bibliometrics and visual analysis of the related studies on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), this study aims to sort out the overall research progress, hotspots, and trends in this field, and provide reference for further research in ITP. Methods The articles on ITP treated by TCM were retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC), and PubMed. The retrieval time was from the establishment of the databases to July 31, 2022. VOSviewer, CiteSpace, Carrot2, and NoteExpress were used for data analysis of the articles in terms of their quantities, types, and journals, and for visualization of research hotspots, authors, institutions, and keywords. Results 1 493 Chinese articles and 40 English articles were included. The articles in Chinese mainly focus on clinical trial research and clinical experience summary, while the English articles mainly focus on clinical trial research and animal research. The Chinese articles were published in 317 Chinese journals, while English articles were published in 29 English journals. Research hotspots include the clinical syndrome differentiation of ITP, the therapeutic effect of TCM compounds on ITP, and the mechanism of ITP treatment. Keyword analysis shows that there are many research achievements in integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine treatment, clinical research, famous doctors’ experience, TCM treatment, cellular immunity, and humoral immunity. The authors with the most articles in Chinese and English are Professor CHEN Xinyi and Professor MA Rou, respectively, and the research institutions with the most articles are Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Chinese herbs often used to treat ITP clinically include Xianhecao (Agrimoniae Herba), Nvzhenzi (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus), Mohanlian (Ecliptae Herba), Zhongjiefeng (Sarcandrae Herba), etc., and the prescription usually used to treat ITP include Guipi Decoction (归脾汤), Xijiao Dihuang Decoction (犀角地黄汤), Bazhen Decoction (八珍汤), Erzhi Pill (二至丸), and Xiaochaihu Decoction (小柴胡汤). The main development trends toward retrospective study, TCM treatment mechanism, and data mining. Conclusion The research on TCM treatment of ITP has progressed steadily, but in-depth studies and close cooperation between research institutions are necessary for the modernization of TCM in treating ITP.

Ancient and modern medication laws of aromatic Chinese medicines in treating angina pectoris based on data mining / 数字中医药（英文）

@#Objective To explore ancient and modern medication laws of aromatic Chinese medicines in treating angina pectoris, and to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment. Methods With “angina pectoris” as the key word, ancient books prescriptions and Chinese patent medicines related to angina pectoris were collected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Traditional Chinese Medicine Database System, Chinese Medicine Prescription Database, New National Proprietary Chinese Medicine (2nd edition), and Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition) from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2021. Core high-frequency aromatic Chinese medicines were defined, and their potential medication rules were analyzed and summarized. Microsoft Access 2010 was used for data management. Data analysis software, including Excel and IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 were used for drug association rule analysis, and Cytoscape 3.7.2 for visual display. Results There were 67 ancient books prescriptions and 258 Chinese patent medicines containing aromatic Chinese medicines treating angina pectoris collected from relevant databases. In ancient books prescriptions, there were nine aromatic Chinese medicines with the frequency ≥10, and the most commonly used medicine was Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), followed by Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium). There were 33 aromatic Chinese medicines with the frequency ≥10 in Chinese patent medicines, and the most commonly used medicine was Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), followed by Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma). In ancient books prescriptions, the medicines mainly belonged to intenal-warming medicines, Qi-regulating medicines, and blood circulation promoting and blood stasis removing medicines. There were eight medicine pairs with confidence equal to 100% in ancient books prescriptions, the most frequently used pairs were Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma) + Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma) + Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium). In Chinese patent medicines, the aromatic Chinese medicine Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma) could be combined with many other Chinese medicines, among which the Confidence and Support of Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma) + Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) were at a high level. Conclusion Aromatic Chinese medicines for the treatment of angina pectoris of coronary heart disease are mainly warm, and the flavors are mainly pungent, sweet, and bitter. They mainly access to the liver, gallbladder, and pericardium meridians. The treatment of angina pectoris of coronary heart disease mainly focuses on warming heart pulse, and promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.

Effect and molecular mechanism research of Astragalus membranaceus on inhibiting intestinal absorption of six alkaloids of Aconitum carmichaelii in spleen deficiency rats / 中草药·英文版

Objective: To investigate the effect and the mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi in Chinese, HQ) extract on the intestinal absorption of six alkaloids of Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi in Chinese, FZ) in rats with spleen deficiency and provide novel insights into the application of HQ on modulating intestinal barrier. Methods: Four-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with Xiaochengqi Decoction to induce the spleen deficiency model for 40 d. Single-pass intestinal perfusion model were used to study the effects of HQ extract on the absorption of alkaloids. Protein expression and mRNA levels of MRP2 and BCRP and tight junction proteins (TJ, including Claudin-1, Occludin and ZO-1) were measured using Western blot and real-time PCR, respectively. The location and expression of TJ protein was also investigated by the immunofluorescence method. Results: Compared with the normal group, the protein expression of MRP2, BCRP and TJ proteins in the model group were significantly down-regulated. After oral administration of HQ, the alkaloid absorption in intestinal villi was inhibited, MRP2, BCRP and TJ proteins were up-regulated, the green fluorescence staining of Claudin-1, Occludin, and ZO-1 was enhanced, and a thick layer of mucus was deposited on the surface of the epithelium of the intestinal cavity. Conclusion: HQ as an intestinal barrier modulator improves the physiological changes of the intestinal environment of spleen deficiency to reduce the absorption of toxic components, leading to a decrease in the absorption of drug-like molecules.

Tuberculous patients; diagnostic significance of fasting blood glucose [AFB]

Abstract: The objective of present study was to screen out the diabetes mellitus by fasting blood glucose [FBG] in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Background: Diabetes mellitus and Tuberculosis has strong co-relation and complicates each other. Diabetes increases the risk of infections including tuberculosis particularly pulmonary TB, Therefore making antituberculous drugs ineffective. Similarly M. tuberculous infection predisposes to diabetes mellitus and complicates it further. Patients simultaneously having, both diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis, the chances of multiple systems involvement becomes high. The delayed or ineffective response to anti tuberculous chemotherapy raises suspicion of underlying diabetes mellitus. There for such patients should be screen out by fasting blood glucose [FBG] levels so as to treat the treat the diabetes as well

Objectives: The objective of this study was to screen out diabetes in pulmonary TB patients by fasting blood glucose level [FBG] especially where the treatment response of anti-tuberculous drug is delayed or poor. Study Design: This was prospective observational study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at DHQ-teaching hospital Mirpur Azad Kashmir from February 2013 to December 2014 .This included both in and outdoor patients. Inclusion criteria: 1. Age range of tuberculous patients between 20-40 years. 2. Pulmonary tuberculous patients. Exclusion criteria: 1. Pulmonary TB patients with co-existent diabetes mellitus. 2. TB patients with renal failure, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, immunosuppressant drugs and steroid were excluded

Material and Methods: Ninety-five diagnosed patients of pulmonary TB were selected. The questionnaire form was designed according to objective of study. This Included with patients having pulmonary TB with but still not screened out for diabetes. The questionnaire contained history, general physical and systemic examination, especially respiratory system. Risk factors like family history of diabetes and TB were evaluated. The socio-economic status of patients was carefully assessed. Routine investigations like complete blood count, ESR, fasting and random blood glucose were done. Three morning sputum specimens and fasting blood glucose [FBG] were main tools of diagnosis of TB. The data thus obtained, was subjected to SPSS verssion-20 for statistical analysis

Results: A total of 95 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were selected including in and outdoor patients. Out of them, 65 patients were males, and 30 were females. Age group mainly ranging between 20-40 of years. Screening of diabetes in 95 tuberculous patients was done by fasting blood glucose. Seventeen patients [17], twelve [12] male and five [05] female were screened out to be diabetic

Conclusion: Screening by fasting blood glucose is an effective tool in diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in tuberculous patients

Stroke; a hospital based study on stratification of risk factors of stroke, its clinical features and response to treatment in Mirpur Azad Kashmir

The objective of the present study was to determine the risk factors of stroke, its clinical features and response to treatment in Mirpur Azad Kashmir. Prospective observational study. This study was conducted at Medical Wards of DHQ Teaching Hospital Mirpur Azad Kashmir from March 2012 to January 2013. Two hundreds patients with established diagnosis of stroke were selected. A questionnaire was prepared in accordance with the objectives of the study. Questionnaire contained detail history, general physical examination, and neurological examination. Association of risk factors with stroke was also studied. Different clinical features were also noted and response to the given treatment was checked by morbidity and mortality ratio. The data thus obtained was subjected to statistical analysis. One hundred and thirty two[66%] had hypertension, fifty five[27.5%] were smoker, fifty three[26.5%] had diabetes, twenty five[12.5%] had ischemic heart disease. In clinical features one hundred and two [51%] had headache, ninety nine [49.5%] had hemiplegia, ninety four patients [47%] had loss of consciousness. On CT scan finding one hundred and forty four patients [72%] had infarction while fifty six [28%] had hemorrhagic stroke. After recommended treatment patients discharged were one hundred and eighty two [91%] while eighteen[9%] died within a month. Hypertension, smoking, diabetes are major modifiable risk factors, headache, hemiplegia, loss of consciousness are major clinical features, chances of ischemic stroke are much more as compared to hemorrhagic. Response to treatment is good

Low dose heparin; therapeutic benefit in postpartum cerebral venous thrombosis

To evaluate the therapeutic benefit of low dose heparin in cerebral venous thrombosis, occurring during period of perpeurum. Descriptive study. Department of Medicine DHQ Hospital Mirpur [Department of Obs/Gynae DHQ Hospital Mirpur[AK]. January 2010 to November 2011. This study was carried on 100 patients with history of postpartum cerebral venous thrombosis. Out of which 48 on heparin and 52 formed the control group. The ages of all patients were between 20 to 30 years. Parameter recorded included history. Blood pressure.,the diagnosis was supported by cranial computed tomography. The secondary causes were ruled out on the basis of history and physical examination. The data and results were analyzed in SPSS. Out of 48 patients in heparin group 30 with non-heamorrhage lesion and 18 with haemorrhagic infarction. 52 in control group. 34 non-haemorriagic lesion and 18 with haemorragic infarct .in non-haemorrhagic CVT, there is no death in heparin group as compared to 5 deaths in control group. In patients with haemorriagic lesions, there were 5 deaths in heparin group as compared to 7 deaths in the control group. Heparin faed better than the control group, both in patients with haemorrhagic as well as non-haemorrhagic lesions. Low molecular weight [LMWH] at low doses is safe and effective for both non-haemorrhage and haemorrhgic infarct of postpartum cvt with regard to recovery and outcome as compared to control group