Influence of TAT-peptide polymerization on properties and transfection activity of TAT/DNA polyplexes.

Use of bioactive cationic peptides as gene carriers is limited by instability of their DNA complexes in vivo and by the loss of their biological activity due to undesired interactions of their bioactive parts with the DNA. To overcome the two major limitations, biodegradable high-molecular-weight form of TAT peptide (POLYTAT) sensitive to cellular redox-potential gradients was synthesized in this study by oxidative polycondensation. Physicochemical and transfection properties of DNA polyplexes based on POLYTAT were investigated and compared with polyplexes based on TAT polymer prepared by in situ template-assisted polymerization. Physicochemical properties of TAT-based polyplexes were affected by the molecular weight and method of polymerization of the TAT peptide. All TAT-based DNA polyplexes exhibited reduced cytotoxicity when compared with control polyethylenimine (PEI) polyplexes. Polyplexes based on both high-molecular-weight TAT polypeptides exhibited increased transfection efficiency compared to control TAT peptide but lower than that of PEI polyplexes. The evidence shows that transfection activity of TAT-based polyplexes is strongly dependent on the presence of chloroquine and therefore suggests that TAT polyplexes are internalized by an endocytosis. Overall, high-molecular-weight reducible polycations based on bioactive peptides has the potential as versatile carriers of nucleic acids that display low cytotoxicity and can prove to be especially beneficial in cases that require surface presentation of membrane-active or cell-specific targeting peptides.     

Fabrication of porous hollow silica nanoparticles and their applications in drug release control.

Preparation and characterization of porous hollow silica nanoparticles (PHSN) for controlled release applications were investigated. Through orthogonally designed experiments, the optimal synthesis conditions for the preparation of PHSN were obtained and the produced PHSN were characterized by BET, SEM, TEM and IR. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy images revealed their hollow shell-core structure and also demonstrated that the size and shape of PHSN are determined by the templating CaCO3 nanoparticles. The produced PHSN were applied as a carrier to study the controlled release behaviors of Brilliant Blue F (BB), which was used as a model drug. Being loaded into the inner core and on the surfaces of the nanoparticles, BB was released slowly into a bulk solution for about 1140 min as compared to only 10 min for the normal SiO2 nanoparticles, thus exhibited a typical sustained release pattern without any burst effect. In addition, higher BET of the carriers, lower pH value and lower temperature prolonged BB release from PHSN, while stirring speed showed little influence on the release behavior. It showed that PHSN have a promising future in controlled drug delivery applications.     

EEG source imaging: correlating source locations and extents with electrocorticography and surgical resections in epilepsy patients.

SUMMARY: It is desirable to estimate epileptogenic zones with both location and extent information from noninvasive EEG. In the present study, the authors use a subspace source localization method (FINE), combined with a local thresholding technique, to achieve such tasks. The performance of this method was evaluated in interictal spikes from three pediatric patients with medically intractable partial epilepsy. The thresholded subspace correlation, which is obtained from FINE scanning, is a favorable marker, which implies the extents of current sources associated with epileptic activities. The findings were validated by comparing the results with invasive electrocorticographic (ECoG) recordings of interictal spike activity. The surgical resections in these three patients correlated well with the epileptogenic zones identified from both EEG sources and ECoG potential distributions. The value of the proposed noninvasive technique for estimating epileptiform activity was supported by satisfactory surgery outcomes.     

Bacteriology and disinfection of porcine skin

The microbial flora and counting were studied in split porcine skin. The results indicated that the routine method for the preparation of porcine heterograft could not reduce the indigenous flora in the dermal appendages efficiently. The indigenous flora of porcine skin consists of not only Gram positive cocci and Gram negative rods, fungus are the another predominant ones, the later may contribute to the frequent complication of fungal infection and the early rejection of porcine heterograft. A tincture of iodine compound was prepared and used for the purpose of disinfection, a better result was obtained.     

Potential contribution of nuclear factor-kappaB to cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits.

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) plays a key role in inflammation, which is involved in the development of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In the present study, we assessed the potential role of NF-kappaB in regulation of cerebral vasospasm. Nuclear factor-kappaB DNA-binding activity was measured in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) treated with hemolysate and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, 80 micromol/L), an inhibitor of NF-kappaB. Forty-two rabbits were divided into three groups: control, SAH, and PDTC groups (n=14 for each group). The caliber of the basilar artery was evaluated. Nuclear factor-kappaB DNA-binding activity and the gene expression levels of cytokines and adhesion molecules in the basilar artery were measured. Immunohistochemical study was performed to assess the expression and localization of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and myeloperoxidase (MPO). It was observed that NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity was significantly increased by treatment with hemolysate in cultured VSCMs, but this increase was suppressed by pretreatment with PDTC. Severe vasospasm was observed in the SAH group, which was attenuated in the PDTC group. Subarachnoid hemorrhage could induce increases of NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity and the gene expression levels of TNF-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, ICAM-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, which were reduced in the PDTC group. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated that the expression levels of TNF-alpha, ICAM-1, and MPO were all increased in the SAH group, but these increases were attenuated in the PDTC group. Our results suggest that NF-kappaB is activated in the arterial wall after SAH, which potentially leads to vasospasm development through induction of inflammatory response.     

头孢噻肟钠聚合物测定实验条件的改进

目的:对中国药典收载的头孢噻肟钠聚合物测定条件进行改进。 方法 :采用高效液相色谱法 ,以Sephadex G- 10色谱柱 4 2 cm× 1.3cm对 6批样品进行分析 ,分别进样 5 0μl和 2 0 0μl,按外标法计算聚合物的量。结果:头孢噻肟钠在 10～ 6 0 μg/m l范围内线性关系良好 (r=0 .9995 ) ,高中低浓度的加样回收率分别为 10 0 .2 %、10 0 .4 %、99.7% ;RSD分别为 1.7%、1.5 %、1.9% (n =3)。该方法与药典方法比较 ,差异无统计学意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。 结论:本方法简便、快速、可行 ,具有实用价值     

Enhanced healing of 30 microns Gore-Tex PTFE microarterial prostheses by alcohol-pretreatment

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microvascular prostheses with a fibril length of 30 microns were pretreated with alcohol (n = 18), implanted into the abdominal aorta of rats and were evaluated at 1 day (n = 3), 1 week (n = 3), 3 weeks (n = 6) and 6 weeks (n = 6) to determine whether alcohol-pretreatment might improve their healing. Untreated PTFE microvascular prostheses (n = 18) functioned as controls (all prostheses: length 10 mm, I.D. 1.5 mm). The alcohol-pretreated PTFE microarterial prostheses were initially completely filled and covered with clot and showed fast and complete healing within 6 weeks: endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells on the luminal surface, and the interstices filled with fibrous-like tissue. In contrast, the untreated PTFE prostheses were initially not filled or covered with clot and showed only healing near the anastomotic sites and scarce tissue ingrowth into the wall. These results demonstrate that alcohol-pretreatment improves the healing characteristics of PTFE microarterial prostheses with a fibril length of 30 microns. The alcohol-pretreatment renders the PTFE material more accessible to clot and subsequently to cells.     

妊高征孕妇压力反射功能的改变

目的研究妊高征孕妇心率变异性(HRV)、血压变异性(BPV)和压力反射敏感性(BRS)的改变.方法用无创伤测定和频谱分析方法,检测31名正常妊娠孕妇和19名中、重度妊高征孕妇的HRV、BPV和自发性BRS,数据用SPSS 10.0软件分析.结果妊高征组和正常妊娠组相比,HRV各指标有下降趋势,但无统计学意义(P>0.05).妊高征孕妇BPV的低频成分显著高于正常妊娠孕妇(P<0.05),BRS较正常妊娠孕妇降低(P<0.05).结论妊高征孕妇交感神经对血压调节的活动性较正常妊娠孕妇增强;压力反射功能受损可能是妊高征发病过程中一重要环节.     

妇科阴道流血的鉴别及护理对策

目的探讨有关阴道异常流血的鉴别及有关护理的问题.方法在护理工作中通过对妇科异常阴道流血的原因进行分析鉴别,并采取相应的护理措施.结果总结出针对性护理方面的异同点.结论对提高护士的护理诊断能力,加强工作的计划性和预见性,及时做好急救准备有着重要的意义.     

乳腺导管瘘的诊断和治疗：附40例报告

为探讨乳腺导管瘘的诊断和治疗方法，笔者回顾分析2年间收治的40例乳腺导管瘘患者的临床资料。诊断主要依据病史、体征和病理检查。治疗采用完整切除瘘管和受累乳导管，去除炎性组织，并充分引流的方法，通过肉芽组织生长使乳管瘘痊愈。结果显示，全部病例均治愈，随访其中37例住院治疗的患者2.5年，无1例复发。提示：在治疗上完整切除瘘管和受累乳导管，修复乳头畸形，是防止导管瘘复发的关键。