In vitro and in vivo release of gentamicin from biodegradable discs

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone and successful treatment involves the removal of the affected bone and the tissue by a surgical procedure following prolonged systemic and local antibiotic therapy for 4 to 6 weeks. The current local treatment is done by poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) beads loaded with gentamicin and PMMA, being nondegradable, is to be removed by a second surgical procedure. The current study aims to develop a biodegradable composition that gives sustained release and hence reducing the need for a second surgery. Gentamicin-loaded discs were produced by compressing microparticle-gentamicin mixture obtained by spray drying a mixture of gentamicin in a solution of a biodegradable polymer. Different copolymers of poly (DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) were used to study the effect of copolymer ratio and the hydrophilic-hydrophobic nature of the polymer. Theoretical drug loading up to 25% were studied and it was observed that 10% drug loading was optimum for gentamicin to be used as solid in spray drying. The results showed that about 60% of the drug is released in about 5 to 6 days and the remaining drug is released in about 30 days in total. An in vivo study was carried on rabbit femur and the local area and systemic concentration of gentamicin was monitored. It was observed that the local area concentration of gentamicin was above minimum inhibitory concentration for more than 20 days and this was also validated by computer simulations.     

猫爪草皂苷对结肠癌LoVo细胞凋亡和细胞内Ca~(2+)浓度的影响

目的:探讨猫爪草皂苷(Radix ranunculus tenate saponins,RRTS)对人结肠癌LoVo细胞增殖和凋亡的调控作用及其机制.方法:按猫爪草皂苷浓度分为1、10、100、500 μg·ml-14个处理组和对照组(未加猫爪草皂苷),处理LoVo细胞不同时间后,倒置显微镜观察细胞形态;采用MTT法检测细胞增殖的抑制情况;流式细胞仪(FCM)进行细胞周期分析并计算凋亡率;激光共聚焦(LCSM)测定皂苷对LoVo胞内Ca2+浓度的影响.结果:与对照组比较,猫爪草皂苷处理组可使细胞明显变圆、体积缩小、脱壁细胞增多;对LoVo细胞的增殖抑制作用增强,随着浓度的增加凋亡率增加,可看出细胞阻滞在G1期,随着给药浓度的增加,细胞凋亡峰(AP峰)越来越明显.作用于LoVo细胞4 h后,胞内Ca2+明显上升,4 h.8 h时略有下降,但仍维持在较高水平(P<0.001).结论:猫爪草皂苷具有明显抑制人结肠癌LoVo细胞增殖和诱导凋亡作用,引起凋亡的途径可能与Ca2+的增加有关.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Matrix metalloproteinase-9</Emphasis>gene polymorphisms in nasal polyposis

Background  

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) is involved in the upper airway remodeling process. We hypothesized that genetic variants of the MMP-9 gene are associated with cases of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.     

Immediate effect of forearm Kinesio taping on maximal grip strength and force sense in healthy collegiate athletes

ObjectivesTo determine the immediate effects of applied forearm Kinesio taping on maximal grip strength and force sense of healthy collegiate athletes.DesignSingle group, repeated measures study.SettingClinical sports medicine laboratory at a university hospital.ParticipantsTwenty-one healthy collegiate athletes voluntarily participated in this study. All subjects were male (average height: 181.24 ± 7.60 cm; average body weight: 72.86 ± 7.03 kg; average age: 20.86 ± 2.59 years).Main Outcome MeasuresFirst, maximal grip strength of the dominant hand was assessed by hand-held dynamometer. Then, 50% of maximal grip strength was established as the reference value of force sense. Absolute and related force sense errors and maximal grip strength were measured under three conditions: (1) without taping; (2) with placebo taping; and (3) with Kinesio taping.ResultsResults revealed no significant differences in maximal grip strength between the three conditions (p = 0.936). Both related and absolute force sense errors in grip strength measurements significantly increased the accuracy of the results under the three conditions (related force sense errors: p < 0.05; absolute force sense errors: p < 0.05).ConclusionForearm Kinesio taping may enhance either related or absolute force sense in healthy collegiate athletes. However, Kinesio taping did not result in changes in maximal grip strength in healthy subjects.     

Field- and flow-dependent trapping of red blood cells on polycarbonate accumulation wall in sedimentation field-flow fractionation

Sedimentation field-flow fractionation (SdFFF) instrumentation is now mature. Methodological procedure and particle separation development rules are well established even in the case of biological species. However, in some biological applications, retention properties of samples not predicted by any field-flow fractionation (FFF) elution models are observed. It is demonstrated that the trapping of cellular material in the separation system is not related to geometrical instrumentation features but to channel wall characteristics. The physicochemical particle-wall attractive interactions are different depending on the flow-rate and field intensity applied. Separation power in SdFFF for biological species is therefore limited by the intensity of these interactions. In terms of separation, a balance is to be found between external field and flow intensity to limit particle-wall interactions.     

Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound diagnosis and laparoscopic management of a pregancy in a previous cesarean scar

An ectopic pregnancy developing in a previous Cesarean section scar is a rare event, and there is still a lack of information concerning the adequacy of management strategies. So far, no modality can guarantee the integrity of the uterus. We report the case of a 29-year-old woman with three Cesarean deliveries who was transferred to our hospital with a diagnosis of cervical pregnancy. Transvaginal three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound revealed a well-encapsulated bulging mass displacing anteriorly over the lower anterior uterine wall sounding with an irregular course and branching vessels. The diagnosis of pregnancy in a previous Cesarean scar was made. Laparoscopic ligation of bilateral uterine arteries followed by excision of the ectopic pregnant mass was undertaken, and the patient's uterus was successfully preserved. Conservative management with the laparoscopic approach may be a safe and effective alternative to hysterectomy in patients with a pregnacy in a previous Cesarean scar.     

Cryoglobulins: detection, type determination and quantitation. A study of healthy subjects and patients with chronic hepatitis C

Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins or immune complexes which precipitate at a temperature lower than 37 degrees C and re-dissolve when rewarmed. So their collection and processing are critical. We describe the methodology used in the biochemical laboratory of Military hospital Laveran (Marseille) for detection determination of type and quantitation of cryoglobulins. In this study, we have found cryoglobulins in 53% of healthy subjects and in 77% of patients with chronic hepatitis C.