Modified Wuhutang Alleviates Airway Inflammation and Down-regulates Expression of Muc5AC， STAT3， NF-κB， and NLRP3 in Lung Tissues of RSV-infected Asthmatic Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore effect of modified Wuhutang on airway inflammation and expression of mucin （Muc） 5AC， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB）， and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 （NLRP3） in respiratory syncytial virus （RSV）-infected asthmatic mice. MethodSeventy male BALB/c mice of 6-8 weeks old were randomized into normal control （CON）， asthma （ovalbumin， OVA）， RSV infection-induced asthma （OVA+RSV）， high-， medium-， and low-dose （4.08， 2.04， 1.02 g·kg-1·d-1， respectively） modified Wuhutang， and dexamethasone （Dxms， 0.1 g·kg-1d-1） groups （n=10）. The model of asthma was established by sensitization and atomization inhalation with OVA. The RSV infection-induced asthma model was established by three consecutive RSV nasal infusions （1.0 × 106 PFU·mL-1， 50 μL）. Wuhutang was administrated by gavage， and Dxms by intraperitoneal injection. The CON group was given the same amount of normal saline by gavage. The mice were anesthetized with 2.5% pentobarbital sodium 24 h after the last administration， and then the lung tissue was stained by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Van Gieson （VG） for observation of airway inflammation. The immunohistochemical assay was employed to detect the expression of Muc5AC. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of phosphorylated （p）-STAT3， STAT3， p-NF-κB， NF-κB， and NLRP3. ResultCompared with the CON group， the OVA group presented airway inflammatory cell infiltration， tissue hyperemia and edema， and collagen fiber deposition. The OVA+RSV group showed severer airway inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue hyperemia and edema than the OVA group. Compared with the OVA+RSV group， modified Wuhutang alleviated the airway inflammatory cell infiltration， tissue hyperemia and edema， and collagen fiber deposition， and the high-dose group had the best performance. Compared with the CON group， the OVA group and the OVA+RSV group showed increased expression level of Muc5AC （P<0.01）. Compared with the OVA+RSV group， modified Wuhutang reduced the expression level of Muc5AC， and the reduction was significant in the high-dose group （P<0.05）. Compared with the high-dose modified Wuhutang group， Dxms lowered the expression level of Muc5AC （P<0.05）. Compared with the CON group， the OVA and OVA+RSV groups showed up-regulated protein levels of p-STAT3， p-NF-κB， and NLRP3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the OVA+RSV group， modified Wuhutang down-regulated the protein levels of p-STAT3， p-NF-κB， and NLRP3 （P<0.01）. Compared with the high-dose modified Wuhutang group， the Dxms group showed up-regulated levels of p-STAT3， p-NF-κB proteins （P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Wuhutang can reduce airway inflammation and down-regulate the expression of Muc5AC， p-STAT3， p-NF-κB， and NLRP3 in RSV-infected asthmatic mice， which suggests that Wuhutang reduces airway inflammation in RSV-infected asthma by regulating the STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Preparation and quality evaluation of self-emulsifying drug delivery system of total saponins of Sanguisorba officinalis / 中草药

Objective: To optimize the formulation of the self-emulsifying drug delivery system of total saponins of Sanguisorba officinalis and evaluate its characteristics. Methods: The formulation and its proportion of the self-emulsifying drug delivery system of total saponins of S. officinalis were optimized based on the solubility tests, formula compatibility, microemulsion area in the ternary phase diagram and D-optimal mixing experiment design. The dosage of oil phase, surfactant and co-surfactant were investigated by drug loading, particle size, and polydispersity index. The appearance, particle size, polydispersity index, Zeta potential, and in vitro release of preparation were finally evaluated. Results: The ratio of oil phase, surfactant, and co-surfactant was 0.25: 0.45:0.30. The drug loading was 23.93 mg/g, the average particle size was (207.92 ± 2.13) nm and the zeta potential was (38.84 ± 0.18) mV. The release of SEDDS was superior to the bulk drug apparently. Conclusion: The self-emulsifying drug delivery system of total saponins of S. officinalis was established. The technology was feasible and the quality was stable.

Influences of two head holders on setup errors during head and neck neoplasms radiotherapy / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To compare the effects of two head holders on the setup errors during head and neck neoplasms radiotherapy.Methods Totally 30 patients were divided into groups A and B randomly and equally.Group A applied TypeSTM Extension for setup,and group B used Type-S Overlay Board,with thermoplastic film applied to fixation.Varian23IX image guided linear accelerator was involved in the therapy,and the patients underwent CBCT-guided therapy once a week in 6 weeks.The setup errors at left-right,head-foot and anterior-posterior directions were obtained by bone registration and manual checking.Results The absolute setup error at anterior-posterior direction of group A,was (2.31 ± 1.35) mm,which was significantly higher than (1.88±1.79) mm of group B (P=0.032).There were no obvious differences between the setup errors of group A and those of group B (P＞0.05),and the weekly absolute errors of group A were not statistically different from those of group B (P＞0.05).Conclusion There are no significant differences between the effects of the two head holders on the setup errors during head and neck neoplasms radiotherapy,and proper head holder can be selected according to clinical requirements.

Effect of Nd:YAG laser treatment for early stage capsular block syndrome / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

?AIM:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy in the treatment of early stage capsular block syndrome ( CBS) .?METHODS:Eighteen patients (21 eyes) with early stage capsular block syndrome were treated using Nd:YAG laser by anterior capsulotomy only or combined with posterior capsulotomy from January 2010 to July 2015 in Anyang Eye Hospital. Uncorrected distance visual acuity, intraocular pressure, spherical equivalent, depth of anterior chamber were observed preoperatively and 2wk postoperatively.?RESULTS:Seventeen eyes simply underwent peripheral anterior capsulotomy with Nd:YAG laser. Four eyes were combined with posterior capsulotomy. Compared with preoperative, uncorrected distance visual acuity improved, intraocular pressure returned to normal, degree of myopia reduced, depth of anterior chamber had deepened.? CONCLUSION: Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy is an effective treatment for early stage capsular block syndrome.