黄芩苷和牛血清白蛋白双缓释制剂的制备及释药性能检测

目的:将黄芩苷和牛血清白蛋白(bovine serum albumin,BSA)载入壳聚糖温敏凝胶,构建双缓释体系,检测凝胶对药物的体外释放情况。方法:采用乳化缩聚法制备黄芩苷-明胶微球(gelatin microspheres,GMS);用不同配比的壳聚糖溶液和β-甘油磷酸钠(β-glycerophosphate,β-GP)溶液制备壳聚糖温敏凝胶,观察在37℃的成胶情况,选择最佳配比;在此基础上,将不同浓度的黄芩苷-GMS与BSA共混于壳聚糖凝胶溶液,测定载药后的成胶情况及黄芩苷和BSA的体外释放情况。结果:成功制备了黄芩苷-GMS,载药率5.62%,包封率72.05%;1.8%壳聚糖溶液与9%的β-GP混合10min后可获得状态良好的凝胶;加载两种药物后的凝胶溶液相转变时间未发生改变;30d时低浓度组累积释放了63.79%,两个较高浓度组分别释放了74.86%、77.63%。结论:壳聚糖温敏凝胶可以同时负载黄芩苷-GMS和BSA两种药物,在室温下呈溶液状态,37℃下经过10min可转变成半固体凝胶,在体外释药可达30d。黄芩苷和牛血清白蛋白双缓释制剂的制备和释药性能检测为牙周组织修复再生药物的研制提供了基础。     

The Val66Met Polymorphism at the BDNF Gene does not Influence Wisconsin Card Sorting Test Results in Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder

ObjectivesTo assess the role of the Val66Met polymorphism at the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene on the performance of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder [juvenile bipolar disorder (JBD)] on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST).MethodsChildren and adolescents were assessed by the K-SADS-PL and a clinical evaluation for BD and comorbid conditions. Manic and depressive symptoms were assessed with the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Children Depression Rating Scale – Reviewed. The Val66Met polymorphism at the BDNF was genotyped from a blood sample. Patients’ IQ and executive functions were assessed by a standard cognitive flexibility test (WCST).ResultsFifty-three subjects were included in the study. No significant difference was observed between the Val/Val and Val/Met+Met/Met groups on any WCST scores in the MANCOVA (F48,5 = .76; p = .59; Perseverative Errors, p = .66; Nonperseverative Errors, p = .58; Categories Completed, p = .34; Attempts to Reach First Category, p=.64; and Percentage of Conceptual Level Responses, p = .99).ConclusionsOur findings from this sample of children and adolescents with BD do not replicate results from studies of adults and suggest the existence of differences in the neurobiology of this disorder across the life cycle. Investigations of larger samples are necessary to confirm these data.     

Asian consensus report on functional dyspepsia

Background and Aim: Environmental factors such as food, lifestyle and prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection are widely different in Asian countries compared with the West, and physiological functions and genetic factors of Asians may also be different from those of Westerners. Establishing an Asian consensus for functional dyspepsia is crucial in order to attract attention to such data from Asian countries, to articulate the experience and views of Asian experts, and to provide a relevant guide on management of functional dyspepsia for primary care physicians working in Asia. Methods: Consensus team members were selected from Asian experts and consensus development was carried out by using a modified Delphi method. Consensus teams collected published papers on functional dyspepsia especially from Asia and developed candidate consensus statements based on the generated clinical questions. At the first face‐to‐face meeting, each statement was reviewed and e‐mail voting was done twice. At the second face‐to‐face meeting, final voting on each statement was done using a keypad voting system. A grade of evidence and strength of recommendation were applied to each statement according to the method of the GRADE Working Group. Results: Twenty‐nine consensus statements were finalized, including seven for definition and diagnosis, five for epidemiology, nine for pathophysiology, and eight for management. Algorithms for diagnosis and management of functional dyspepsia were added. Conclusions: This consensus developed by Asian experts shows distinctive features of functional dyspepsia in Asia and will provide a guide to the diagnosis and management of functional dyspepsia for Asian primary care physicians.     

Lung ultrasound in the management of acute decompensated heart failure

Once thought impracticable, lung ultrasound is now used in patients with a variety of pulmonary processes. This review seeks to describe the utility of lung ultrasound in the management of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). A literature search was carried out on PubMed/Medline using search terms related to the topic. Over three thousand results were narrowed down via title and/or abstract review. Related articles were downloaded for full review. Case reports, letters, reviews and editorials were excluded. Lung ultrasonographic multiple B-lines are a good indicator of alveolar interstitial syndrome but are not specific for ADHF. The absence of multiple B-lines can be used to rule out ADHF as a causative etiology. In clinical scenarios where the assessment of acute dyspnea boils down to single or dichotomous pathologies, lung ultrasound can help rule in ADHF. For patients being treated for ADHF, lung ultrasound can also be used to monitor response to therapy. Lung ultrasound is an important adjunct in the management of patients with acute dyspnea or ADHF.