Gemcitabine Hydrochloride-Loaded Functionalised Carbon Nanotubes as Potential Carriers for Tumour Targeting

The objective of the present work was to formulate gemcitabine hydrochloride loaded functionalised carbon nanotubes to achieve tumour targeted drug release and thereby reducing gemcitabine hydrochloride toxicity. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were functionalised using 1,2-distearoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine-methyl polyethylene glycol conjugate 2000. Optimised ratio 1:2 of carbon nanotubes:1,2-distearoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine-methyl polyethylene glycol conjugate 2000 was taken for loading of gemcitabine hydrochloride. The formulation was evaluated for different parameters. The results showed that maximum drug loading efficiency achieved was 41.59% with an average particle size of 188.7 nm and zeta potential of −10−1 mV. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the tubular structure of the formulation. The carbon nanotubes were able to release gemcitabine hydrochloride faster in acidic pH than at neutral pH indicating its potential for tumour targeting. Gemcitabine hydrochloride release from carbon nanotubes was found to follow Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model with non-Fickian diffusion pattern. Cytotoxic activity of formulation on A549 cells was found to be higher in comparison to free gemcitabine hydrochloride. Stability studies indicated that lyophilised samples of the formulation were more stable for 3 months under refrigerated condition than at room temperature. Thus carbon nanotubes can be promising carrier for the anticancer drug gemcitabine hydrochloride.     

山东省收治汶川地震伤员的损伤特点及诊治体会

目的 总结分析在山东省住院治疗的396例"5.12"汶川地震伤员的损伤特点及诊治经验.方法 汶川地震伤员396例,于2008年5月22日转至山东省住院治疗.山东省卫生厅及医学会成立了专家巡诊组,自5月22日至6月24日,对全部伤员逐个进行巡诊检查,统一阅读影像学资料,统一规范诊断,制定治疗方案.对伤员性别、年龄、损伤部位、骨折部位、手术情况、二次手术情况、截肢情况、伤口感染情况以及治疗结果进行调查分析.结果 本组病例在年龄分布、受伤部位、受伤特点等方面不同于交通伤.特点为多发伤常见,下肢截肢及伤口感染者较多,脊柱及骨盆骨折以稳定性骨折为主.手术治疗220例,其中转入前已经手术142例,转入后手术78例,有12例需要对转入前的手术进行二次手术调整内固定或治疗深部感染.至6月24日,已经治愈出院219例,无死亡病例,无医原性并发症出现.结论 按伤害控制理论,根据伤员的损伤特点、损伤程度制定转运及治疗方案,前线以抢救生命为主,早期清创.骨折的治疗原则是对不具备内固定条件者采用临时性外固定,复杂内固定手术留待转院后进行,可以提高救治效率,减少并发症,获得更好的综合疗效.     

H受体阻滞剂对手术并急性肺损伤的干预作用

目的：了解Ｈ受体阻滞剂在手术并发急性防损伤（ＡＬＩ）中的作用。方法：腹部手术中采用油酸静脉注射造成急性肺损伤，观察盐酸异丙嗪（Ｈ１受体阻滞剂）和百米替丁（Ｈ２受体阻滞剂）对损伤肺嗜中性粒细胞聚集及对氧自由基水平的影响。结果：两者均能有效地抑制嗜中性粒细胞在防内的聚集，对氧自由基的产生有一定抑制作用，西米替丁的作用更为明显。结论：Ｈ受体阻滞剂特别是Ｈ２受体阻滞剂可作为术中及术后预防和治疗急性肺损伤的药物。     

TZT-1027, an Antimicrotubule Agent, Attacks Tumor Vasculature and Induces Tumor Cell Death

TZT-1027, a dolastatin 10 derivative, is an antimicrotubule agent with potent antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we performed biochemical and histopathological examinations, and evaluated TZT-1027-induced tumoral vascular collapse and tumor cell death in an advanced tumor model, murine colon 26 adenocarcinoma. In addition, we studied the effects of TZT-1027 on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Tolerable doses of TZT-1027 induced tumor-selective hemorrhage within 1 h. This hemorrhage occurred mainly in the peripheral area of the tumor mass. Measurements of tumoral hemoglobin content and dye permeation revealed that the hemorrhage occurred firstly and tumor blood flow stopped secondarily. The vascular damage was followed by continuous induction of apoptosis of the tumor cells, tumor tissue necrosis, and tumor regression. In cultured HUVEC, TZT-1027 induced marked cell contraction with membrane blebbing in 30 min. These cell changes were completely inhibited by K252a, a broad-spectrum inhibitor of protein kinases. These effects of TZT-1027 on both tumor vasculature and HUVEC were greater than those of vincristine. In conclusion, TZT-1027 quickly attacked the well-developed vascular system of advanced tumors by a putative protein kinase-dependent mechanism, and then blocked tumor blood flow. Therefore, TZT-1027 has both a conventional antitumor activity and a unique anti-tumoral vascular activity, making it a potentially powerful tool for clinical cancer therapy.     

自治区第二济困医院I类切口手术预防应用抗菌药物的调查分析

目的 通过对自治区第二济困医院I类切口手术预防应用抗菌药物的资料进行调查分析，考察围手术期抗菌药物使用的合理性。方法 按照卫生部I类切口手术预防用药评价意见表进行统计分析。结果 目前围手术期预防应用抗菌药物仍然存在不合理现象。结论     

Quality of life and adjuvant systemic therapy for early-stage breast cancer

Adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy reduce the risk of recurrence and death due to breast cancer, but often at considerable cost to the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients. The short-term effects of chemotherapy on HRQL are well known and are accepted by most patients for modest gains in survival. The long-term effects of chemotherapy-induced menopause and hormonal therapy on HRQL are poorly recognized. Vasomotor symptoms and altered sexual function are common, distressing and inadequately treated. HRQL information is helpful in describing likely effects of adjuvant treatment, facilitating informed decision-making, identifying health problems to guide research into potential solutions, guiding treatment strategies for interventions with equivalent survival and guiding resource allocation. New technologies will make HRQL information increasingly available for individual patient care.     

Recent advances in the treatment of follicular lymphoma

The success of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy for follicular lymphoma has encouraged efforts to identify new target molecules, and a new generation of more potent antibodies is now being developed, targeting either CD20 or other molecules. At the same time, other agents that were developed to treat other kinds of malignancies have turned out to be effective against this disease. In both treatment approaches, using either antibodies or chemical compounds, data on such trials are accumulating. In this mini-review these agents are introduced, and it is noted that clinical trials of these new agents are also ongoing in Japan.