Effect of Magnetic Fe_3O_4 Particles on Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Sunflower Seed Hull / 微生物学通报

The effect of magnetic Fe3O4 particles on cellulase in the enzymatic hydrolysis of sunflower seed hull was studied in different adding ways and additive amount. In the process of enzymatic hydrolysis of sunflower seed hull, the variations of cellulase activity, reducing sugar concentration and cellulose conversion were evaluated. After the reaction, the analysis of pH and surface tension of hydrolysate were also used to determine the mechanisms of cellulase by the magnetic effect. The results indicated that after adding magnetic Fe3O4, the cellulase activity, reducing sugar concentration and conversion of cellulose had an increased between the 0.5 g/L and 2.0 g/L cases after 48 h. When the additive amount of magnetic Fe3O4 was 2 g/L, the cellulase activity at 60 h was improved significantly by 25.9%. It was found that the concentration of reducing sugar was increased from 6.950 mg/mL to 8.775 mg/mL with magnetic Fe3O4 1.5 g/L. Simultaneously, compared with the blank, which the conversion of cellulose was 47.932%, the maximum celluloseconversion of samples with adding magnetic Fe3O4 was 60.531%. Besides, the stability of cellulase activity adding in times was better than in one time. After the reaction, the final surface tension of hydrolysate with 1.5 g/L magnetic Fe3O4 was the lowest in comparison with the blank. However, no significant differences were observed in the final pH of the hydrolysate.

Integrated treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine for early- and intermediate-stage diabetic nephropathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese herbal medicinal preparation Tangshenqing (TSQ) combined with alprostadil in the treatment of early- and intermediate-stage diabetic nephropathy (DN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty DN patients were randomized into 3 groups for different treatment protocols. The patients in the control group were given the basic treatment (low-protein diabetic diet and rigorous control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood fatty acid), and those in treatment group A received TSQ (containing Astragalus membranaceus, Panax notoginseng, Epimedium brevicornum, etc) in addition to the basic treatment, and those in treatment group B were treated with alprostadil injections (for 14 consecutive days) in addition to the treatment given in group A. Therapeutic effect evaluation was carried out after a 30-day treatment in all the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall efficaey rate of the treatment was 78.37% in the control group, 88.57% in the treatment group A, and 94.44% in treatment group B, suggesting better therapeutic effect in the latter two groups than in the control group (P<0.05). Patients in all the 3 groups exhibited symptomatic improvement of various degrees, but the treatment group B had the best results. After the treatments, the patients' blood glucose and fatty acids were lowered, without obvious difference between the 3 groups. Compared with the control group, the patients in the two treatment groups showed significant reduction in fibrinogen, 24-h urine microprotein and urine protein after the treatment (P<0.01 or 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined use of traditional Chinese herbal medicine TSQ and alprostadil injections produces definite therapeutic effect on early- to intermediate-stage DN.</p>

The therapeutic efficacy for ED patients treated with low dosage of PGE1 / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To evaluate the efficacy of intrameatal application of low dosage alprostadil (PGE1) cream (300 mcg) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 43 ED patients were selected in the study based on the inclusion criteria. All of the patients signed informed consent forms and entered a 4-week open-label clinical study. A dosage of 300 mg PGE1 in 75 mg cream was applied intrameatally.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed that the primary efficacy (IIEF Q3 + Q4) reached 70.73% after application of the cream. The successful intercourse rate was 86.41%. Based on the GAQ (global assessment Question); 73.17% of the patients were satisfied with their sexual life. At the same time, all of the secondary criteria supported the primary efficacy results. Two patients withdrew during the study period. Six patients (14.63%) had urethral pain or penile redness, which were mostly mild and transient.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>With intrameatal low dosage (300 mcg PGE1) of the PGE1 cream can achieve an equivalent efficacy as that with the full dosage.</p>