Studies on purity and stability of photopatch test substances

19 photo substances were studied by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) as fresh solutions, and during storage under various conditions. Chlorhexidine was excluded as it is sparingly soluble and only used in commercial products as a derivative. Trichlorocarbanilide was the only substance shown to be impure from the start. Only benzocaine, buclosamide, chlorhexidine acetate and chlorhexidine gluconate remained unchanged to the naked eye, and in TLC. The other substances were changed in colour and/or in their TLC-pattern. An extraction method is described which makes it possible to use TLC for the examination of substances in petrolatum preparations. UV-absorption spectra have also been examined for all the substances.     

Intra-articular treatment of arthritis with microsphere formulations of paclitaxel: biocompatibility and efficacy determinations in rabbits

Objectives:To assess the biocompatibility of controlled release microspheres prepared from different polymeric biomaterials in various size ranges in rabbit synovial joints and based on these data, design and evaluate the efficacy of an intra-articular, paclitaxel-loaded microspheres formulation in rabbit models of arthritis. Methods:Paclitaxel-loaded microspheres of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(caprolactone) (PCL) were prepared in different size ranges and inflammatory responses monitored following injection into healthy rabbit joints. The efficacy of 20% paclitaxel-loaded PLA microspheres (35–105 m size range) injected intra-articularly into antigen and carrageenan induced rabbit models of arthritis was monitored. Results:Polymeric microspheres in the 35–105 m size range were biocompatible whereas smaller microspheres (1–20 m) produced an inflammatory response. Efficacy studies showed that injection of 20% paclitaxel-loaded PLA microspheres significantly reduced all measures of inflammation in the antigen arthritis rabbit model. Conclusions:Paclitaxel-loaded PLA microspheres in the 35–105 m size range, released paclitaxel in a controlled manner over several weeks, and may be a potential formulation for the intra-articular treatment of inflammation in arthritic conditions.Received 6 November 2003; returned for revision 12 January 2004; accepted by J. S. Skotnicki 8 March 2004     

Studies on the effects of initial injection doses of follicle stimulating hormone on the pregnancy and the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome incidence in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients

Background:  Patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are often resistant to clomiphene citrate, which causes the need for subsequent gonadotropin treatment. However, careful administration is required because of the potential side-effects, that is, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and multiple pregnancy.
Methods:  Forty-three cycles in 22 patients with PCOS were enrolled in this study. Ovarian stimulation was initiated on day 7 of the menstrual cycle with 150 IU/day of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH; 150 IU course), 100 IU/day (100 IU course), and 75 IU/day (75 IU course), successively. If follicles over 12 mm in diameter did not develop after 1 week, the dose was increased. In each treatment course, the number of developed follicles, the serum estradiol level before ovulation, total FSH dosage and duration of administration, the incidence of OHSS, and pregnancy rate were examined.
Results and Conclusion:  The largest number of developed follicles and the highest serum estradiol level were found in the 150 IU course. In contrast, the total FSH dosage and duration of administration were highest and longest in the 75 IU course. The incidence of OHSS and pregnancy rate were highest in the 150 IU course and in the 75 IU course, respectively. The present study indicates that 100 IU or 75 IU of FSH is recommended as an initial injection dose for PCOS patients. (Reprod Med Biol 2003; 2 : 63–67)     

生物黏附缓释避孕凝胶杀精剂的临床有效性试验

目的　观察外用生物黏附缓释避孕凝胶杀精剂 (凝胶剂 )的临床避孕效果。方法　将2 4 0例育龄妇女志愿者随机分为两组 ,其中 12 0例使用凝胶剂 (凝胶剂组 ) ,12 0例使用避孕栓剂 (栓剂组 )。随访 6个月 ,以生命表法统计、Logrank检验比较两组的妊娠率、因症停用率和非医学原因停用率等。结果　两组使用药剂前后 ,宫颈刮片细胞学检查均无异常。 6个月的随访率 ,凝胶剂组和栓剂组分别为 10 0 0 %和 97 5 % ;粗累积妊娠率分别为 6 39/ 10 0妇女和 2 95 / 10 0妇女 ;因症停用率为3 4 5 / 10 0妇女和 4 5 7/ 10 0妇女 ;非医学原因停用率为 6 89/ 10 0妇女和 14 17/ 10 0妇女。两组比较 ,差异均无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　凝胶剂的临床效果与避孕栓剂一样 ,是安全、有效的。     

Non-aromatic naphthalane preparation; preliminary clinical study in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris

This study aimed to prove the similarity of the composition of non-aromatic Croatian naphthalane (NAN) with brown naphthalane (BN), which is used in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. The comparison of the compositions was performed by obtaining GC fingerprints, which were supported by GC-MS data. In spite of remarkable differences in general profiles of the GC chromatograms, lower and medium molecular weight components of NAN were found to be qualitatively the same as the saturated constituents of BN. Quantitatively, lower molecular weight components as well as all n-alkanes were comparatively lower in NAN. NAN, additionally, contained higher molecular weight components, among which there were saturated oligocyclic hydrocarbons (up to pentakishomohopanes), described as responsible for the curing effect of naphthalane. The composition characteristics of NAN including its non-aromatic character made it suitable for a clinical study. In the treatment, the efficacy was determined by means of comparison of Psoriasis Area Severity Indices, PASI, at the beginning and at the end of the therapy. Adult volunteer-patients, nine males and six females, applied NAN over the whole body, except the scalp, at the room temperature for 20 min and this was followed by the selective UVB radiation. After the 3-week therapy, all essential clinical manifestations as erythema, desquamation and infiltration were significantly reduced in 14 patients; in nine cases the improvement was 50–93%, while the state of five patients improved between 25 and 50%. In one case, there was no obvious change. No exacerbation occurred during the therapy period. No adverse effect on hematological or biochemical parameters was noticed.     

Osteoporosis medication profile preference: results from the PREFER-US study

OBJECTIVE: To assess patient preferences for two osteoporosis medications. DESIGN: Women aged 50+ were surveyed via the Internet to assess preferences for two osteoporosis medication profiles. Drug A and Drug B, consistent with ibandronate and alendronate, respectively, differed by: time on market (recently vs. 10 years), dosing frequency (monthly vs. weekly), effectiveness (not proven vs. proven to reduce non-spine or hip fracture after 3 years) and dosing procedure (60 vs. 30 min wait before eating/drinking). Each profile had the same out-of-pocket costs, side-effects, potential for drug interaction and spine fracture efficacy. Patients force ranked and rated the importance of each attribute. Subgroup comparisons included diagnosed vs. at-risk respondents and treated vs. untreated respondents. RESULTS: Among the 999 respondents, Drug B was preferred by 96%. Effectiveness was ranked as the most important determinant of preference (79% ranked it #1) compared with time on market (14%), dosing procedure (4%) and dosing frequency (3%). Effectiveness had the highest mean importance rating on a scale of 1 (extremely unimportant) to 7 (extremely important): mean (SD) = 6.1 (1.8), followed by time on market: 4.7 (1.7), dosing procedure: 4.6 (1.4) and dosing frequency: 4.5 (1.4). No significant differences in profile choice were found across study subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The drug profile showing reductions in non-vertebral and hip fracture risk was chosen by almost all respondents. Drug effectiveness was the most important determinant of preference, while dosing frequency was the least important determinant. Incorporation of patient preferences in the medication decision-making process could enhance patient compliance and clinical outcomes.     

Neural connections in and around the cavernous sinus in rat,with special reference to cerebrovascular innervation

There is a confluence in and around the cavernous sinus of neural pathways innervating the intracranial structures. To determine the patterns of innervation, particularly of the cerebral arteries, we stained whole-mount preparations of the cavernous sinus and adjacent regions of the rat for acetylcholinesterase. The cavernous nerve plexus, with several small ganglia, mainly occupied the lateral wall of the sinus and extended laterally above the ophthalmic and maxillary divisions of the trigeminal nerve, in relation to the oculomotor and trochlear nerves. The cavernous plexus was connected to the pterygopalatine ganglion, the trigeminal ganglion, and the abducens nerve. The elongated pterygopalatine ganglion consisted of an orbital part, from which parasympathetic fibers ran to the cerebral arteries, and a cavernous part. Nerves from the lateral extension of the cavernous plexus ran rostrally into the orbit along the oculomotor, trochlear, and ophthalmic nerves, and caudally to the pineal gland along the trochlear nerve. Several branches also ran over the dura mater. Caudal to the cavernous sinus, we found two large nerves and a number of small nerves that ran between the nerves surrounding the internal carotid artery and the abducens nerve. These nerves may represent additional parasympathetic and/or sensory pathways to the cerebral arteries. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

复方藤梨根制剂对CT26小鼠移植瘤的生长及瘤体内血管内皮生长因子表达的影响

目的通过建立Balb／c小鼠CT26人工种植模型,研究复方藤梨根制剂对肿瘤的抑制作用及对血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）表达的影响。方法100只Balb／c小鼠随机分为5组,即空白对照组、荷瘤对照组、低剂量给药组、中剂量给药组及高剂量给药组,各20只,分别皮下接种造模,造模后第2天开始连续灌胃3周。给药组予低浓度0．5g／ml、中浓度1g／ml及高浓度2g／ml复方藤梨根制剂灌胃,空白对照组及荷瘤对照组每天以0．9％氯化钠注射液灌胃。所有小鼠第22天处死,观察各组的瘤质量、抑瘤率,免疫组化检测各组小鼠肿瘤VEGF的表达。结果中、高剂量给药组的瘤质量、抑瘤率与低剂量组和荷瘤组差异均有统计学意义（均P〈0．05）,中、高剂量给药组的VEGF的表达与荷瘤对照组差异均有统计学意义（均P〈0．05）。结论复方藤梨根制剂能抑制肿瘤生长,下调了CT26瘤体中VEGF表达,具有抗肿瘤血管生成作用。     

复方丹参缓释片中水溶性成分体外释放度研究

目的:研究复方丹参缓释片溶出度,探索中药复方缓释制剂的评价方法。方法:采用转篮法和高效液相色谱指纹图谱评价。结果:通过对6个时间点进行取样测定,丹参缓释片水溶性成分能够比较均衡的释放出来,具有一致的均衡释放行为,从丹酚酸B的释放行为来看较符合Higuchi方程释放,以人参皂苷Rg1的释放行为来看较符合零级释放。结论:丹参缓释片水溶性成分溶出度具有良好的缓释行为。方法快速、简便稳定,可用于评价复方丹参缓释片水溶性成分体外释放度。     

Topical preparations for the treatment of psoriasis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: There is clinical uncertainty about the appropriate use of first-line topical treatments for psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: To assess the relative effectiveness and tolerability of topical treatments for psoriasis suitable for use both in primary and secondary care. METHODS: All major medical databases of published literature were searched electronically; references of trial reports and recent reviews were searched; authors and companies were contacted for missing data from published reports. The study selection comprised: (1) randomized placebo-controlled trials of topical treatments for psoriasis; and (2) randomized head-to-head studies of the new vitamin D3 derivative treatments for psoriasis that reported clinical outcome using a Total Severity Score (TSS), Psoriasis Area Severity Index or Investigator Assessment of Global Improvement. Eligibility and validity were assessed and data extracted independently by two authors. Clinical outcomes were pooled using a random effect standardized weighted mean difference (SWMD) metric, including 3380 patients randomized in 41 placebo (vehicle)-controlled trials and 4898 patients randomized in 28 head-to-head studies. RESULTS: There was a significant benefit in favour of active treatments against vehicle, SWMD: -1.06 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.26 to -0.86), approximately a 2-point improvement on a 12-point TSS after 6-8 weeks of treatment. The only significantly different benefit was for very potent corticosteroids: SWMD: -1.51 (95% CI: -1.76 to -1.25), approximately a 3-point improvement on a 12-point TSS. Head-to-head studies support these findings, except that calcipotriol was estimated to be more effective than dithranol, coal tar and other vitamin D3 derivatives. Polytherapy, using a potent steroid and calcipotriol, was more effective than calcipotriol alone: SWMD 0.42 (95% CI: 0.12-0.72 ) approximately a 0.8-point improvement on a 12-point TSS. No important differences in withdrawal or reporting of adverse events were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Trials of short duration neither adequately inform the management of chronic disease nor describe the sequelae of treatment. The evidence base for long-term care, reflecting the disease pathway, should be improved. Combination therapy with topical vitamin D analogues and steroids, and maintenance therapy following treatment response merit further investigation.