Quantification of iodiconazole by LC-MS/MS, a new topical transdermal cream, in dermatophytosis patients' plasma.

BACKGROUND: A rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method was established to measure iodiconazole (ADKZ) in dermatophytosis patients treated topically with 2% ADKZ cream. METHODOLOGY: ADKZ was extracted by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and separated by an Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 column (2.1 × 150 mm, 3.5 µm) using methanol - 0.01% formic acid (70:30, v/v) as the mobile phase. All the validation assays met the acceptable criteria and the linearity ranged from 10 to 1000 pg/ml. CONCLUSION: The method has been validated to be simple, sensitive and successfully applied to the study. The average amount of ADKZ absorbed into blood was approximately 0.51 µg daily, and ADKZ blood concentrations were consistent during the four-week treatment course. The cumulation of ADKZ in vivo was almost negligible.

[Study on heredity laws of keratin membrane and sugar content in semi-leafless vegetable pea and their utilization in pea breeding].

It was studied for the heredity laws of keratin membrane and sugar content in semi-leafless vegetable pea. The results showed that keratin membrane character is controlled by two genes. F1 displays large keratin membranes in all fresh pods; F2 has three phenotypes, i.e. large keratin membrane, small keratin membrane and no keratin membrane with the ratio of 9:6:1. Sugar content is quantitative character fitting normal distribution. 'Xucai 1', a new semi-leafless vegetable pea variety with high yield and quality was successfully bred according to the laws. Its fresh pods taste delicious. Its extremely developed tendrils can be sold as top grade Longxu vegetable. The tender stems and leaves are also high quality vegetable.

[Tendril inheritance in semi-leafless pea and its utilization in breeding].

Using semi-leafless pea and common pea, the authors studied tendril character, its inheritance law and how to use it in pea breeding. The results were as follows: Semi-leafless pea had well developed tendrils; They twined with each other and formed an arbor structure. This ideal structure had greatly increased lodging resistance capability,improved canopy's air and light level, and remarkably increased new varieties yield. So, semi-leafless pea was one of the most important materials in lodging resistance breeding. Tendril gene, af, and seed color gene i, in semi-leafless pea was linked on chromosome I, and cross-over value was 5.72%.

[Effects of pressure therapy on the proliferation and apoptosis of cells in hypertrophic scar of burn patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of pressure therapy on proliferation and apoptosis of cells in hypertrophic scar (HS) of burn patients. METHODS: Twenty patients who were hospitalized from September 2010 to September 2012 and started to wear pressure garment tailored by rehabilitation therapists over 20 hours a day beginning from two weeks after healing of burn wounds with the depth from deep partial-thickness to full-thickness (early stage of formation of HS) were set as pressure treatment group (PT). Another group of patients who were hospitalized in the same period with HS formed 3, 6, 12, 24 months (with 5 patients at each time point) after deep partial-thickness to full-thickness burns without receiving any treatment were set as control group. HS tissue samples from limbs and face were excised at post treatment month (PTM) 3, 6, 12, 24 in group PT (with 5 patients at each time point), and 2 to 3 days after admission in control group. Five patients out of the above-mentioned 40 patients were selected according to the random number table, and normal skin tissue samples from abdomen and thigh were also obtained to serve as normal control. The expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in HS and normal skin tissue were determined with immunohistochemical staining. The apoptosis status was detected with situ end labeling technique. The mRNA expressions of P57(kip2) and Cyclin E were determined with real-time fluorescence quantification PCR. Data were processed with t test, one-way analysis of variance, or LSD test. RESULTS: (1) In normal skin tissue, PCNA-positive cells were observed in the epidermal basal layer and prickle cell layer. In group PT and control group, PCNA-positive cells were observed in the epidermal basal layer, prickle cell layer, lower part of the granular cell layer, and dermis of HS. The percentages of PCNA-positive cells in HS in group PT were respectively (40.4 ± 2.9)%, (28.2 ± 6.2)%, (9.9 ± 0.7)% at PTM 3, 6, 12, which were significantly lower than those of HS formed 3, 6, 12 months after wound healing in control group [(48.3 ± 4.7)%, (36.2 ± 3.2)%, (11.4 ± 0.9)%, with t values respectively 3.186, 2.559, 2.880, P values all below 0.05]. (2) In normal skin tissue, apoptotic cells were observed in the epidermal basal layer. In group PT and control group, apoptotic cells were observed in each layer of epidermis of HS. The apoptotic indexes of HS in group PT were respectively (20.4 ± 1.2)%, (26.1 ± 0.4)%, (26.6 ± 1.0)% at PTM 6, 12, 24, which were significantly higher than those of HS formed 6, 12, 24 months after wound healing in control group [(16.2 ± 1.5)%, (23.1 ± 2.0)%, (24.8 ± 1.1)%, with t values respectively -4.904, -3.366, -2.606, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01]. (3) The mRNA expressions of P57(kip2) of HS in group PT were respectively 3.87 ± 0.20, 8.60 ± 0.78, 10.00 ± 0.57 at PTM 3, 6, 12, which were significantly higher than those of HS formed 3, 6, 12 months after wound healing in control group (3.34 ± 0.15, 6.36 ± 0.29, 9.34 ± 0.12, with t values respectively -4.880, -6.014, -2.375, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The mRNA expression of P57(kip2) in normal skin tissue was close to those of HS in group PT at PTM 12, 24 and those of HS formed 12, 24 months after wound healing in control group (with P values all above 0.05). (4) The mRNA expressions of Cyclin E of HS in group PT were respectively 19.30 ± 0.18, 12.77 ± 0.30, 9.21 ± 0.18 at PTM 3, 6, 12, which were significantly higher than those of HS formed 3, 6, 12 months after wound healing in control group (19.79 ± 0.34, 15.41 ± 0.26, 9.47 ± 0.17, with t values respectively 3.186, 2.559, 2.880, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The mRNA expression of Cyclin E in normal skin tissue was close to those of HS in group PT at PTM 12, 24 and those of HS formed 12, 24 months after wound healing in control group (with P values all above 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pressure therapy can accelerate the evolution process of HS through accelerating apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation, thereby scar proliferation is inhibited.

[Investigation and analysis of the cognition degree of parents of 150 pediatric burn patients on scar rehabilitation].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cognition degree of parents of pediatric burn patients on hyperplasia of scar and its prevention and rehabilitation, so as to provide a guidance for preventing deformity and dysfunction caused by scar hyperplasia. METHODS: Questionnaire survey was carried out among parents of 150 pediatric burn patients hospitalized from October 2010 to November 2011 to analyze the cognition degree of patients on the formation of scar after burns, the demand degree for scar treatment between parents of different genders of patients and among parents of patients with burn injury occurred in different body sites, the relationship between the literacy level of parents and their degree of willingness of undergoing scar treatment, and the degree of comprehension and acceptance on the part of parents regarding the methods of prevention and treatment of scar. Data were processed with chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: (1) Only the parents of 19 pediatric burn patients (accounting for 12.7%) realized the possibility of scar formation before admission. After admission, more than half of the parents were told that their children would bear scar and need regular follow-up, while only parents of 52 patients (34.7%) were instructed the methods of preventing and treating scar. (2) One hundred and forty parents (93.3%) considered their children need prevention and treatment of scar after burns. There was no statistically significant difference between parents of male patients and female patients in the demand for scar treatment (χ(2) = 0.825, P > 0.05). The demand degree of parents for rehabilitation treatment for the upper limbs after burns surpassed those of the other sites of body, and altogether there were 85 parents accounting for 97.7% of all. (3) The difference among parents with different levels of literacy was not obvious in the willingness of receiving treatment for scar hyperplasia (P > 0.05). (4) Eight methods were chosen by parents to prevent and treat scars of patients. Eighty-five parents (56.7%) chose the topical agents; 26 parents (17.3%) chose the pressure therapy; and 18 parents (12.0%) preferred oral drug treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Parents of pediatric burn patients do not have enough understanding on the formation and prevention and treatment of postburn scars. Medical staff should enhance the awareness of parents on scar rehabilitation, improve the treatment technology, and promulgate the importance of prevention and treatment of scar formation after a burn injury in the society.

[Experimental and clinical study on treatment of hypertrophic scars with (90)Sr radiation].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the potential mechanism of preventive and therapeutic effects of (90)Sr on hypertrophic scar, and to observe its clinical effect. METHODS: Fibroblasts isolated from human hypertrophic scar were cultured in vitro and radiated by (90)Sr with the dose varying from 0 Gy (control group) to 5 Gy (LD group), 10 Gy (MD group), and 15 Gy (HD group). The cell cycle and apoptosis rate were determined by flow cytometry at post radiation hour (PRH) 24, 48, and 72. The concentration of type I collagen in cell supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Therapeutic effects of (90)Sr radiation were evaluated among 348 patients with hypertrophic scars, 40 patients with keloids, and 114 patients for scar prevention after surgical operation. The number of fibroblasts after HE staining was compared among normal skin tissue, hypertrophic scar, and hypertrophic scar treated with (90)Sr radiation. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and q test. RESULTS: (1) Apoptotic rates in MD and HD groups at PRH 48 were higher than those at PRH 24, and the apoptotic rate was similar between MD group and HD group at PRH 72. Apoptotic rate in LD group at PRH 48 was significantly higher than that at PRH 24, but it decreased rapidly at PRH 72, which was significantly lower than those in MD and HD groups (with F values all equal to 916.711, P values all below 0.01). (2) At PRH 24, cell ratios of each phase in LD and HD groups were similar, and cell ratio of S phase in HD group [(48.1 ± 1.0)%] was higher than those in the other three groups (with F values all equal to 200.277, P values all below 0.01). At PRH 72, cell ratio of S phase in MD and HD groups was respectively (85.7 ± 5.2)%, (73.0 ± 8.4)%, implying that cells were blocked in S phase, and the values were all higher than those in control and LD groups (with F values all equal to 111.105, P values all below 0.01). (3) At the same time point, the concentration of type I collagen decreased along with the increase of radiation dose (with F values from 5044.449 to 8234.432, P values all below 0.01). With the same radiation dose, the concentration of type I collagen increased along with prolongation of time (with F values from 333.395 to 2973.730, P values all below 0.01). (4) Clinical observation showed the (obvious) effective rate of radiation for pathological scars and that for scar prevention after surgical operation added up to 88.45%. The number of fibroblasts per 200 times visual field in patients after (90)Sr radiation (86 ± 20) was less than that in patients without treatment [(198 ± 65), F = 208.405, P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of (90)Sr radiation on fibroblasts and extracellular matrix can contribute to inhibition of scar formation, and the clinical effect is significant.

[Effect of hydrogen-rich saline on blood pressure and antioxidant ability of lung tissue in scalded rats following delayed resuscitation].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of hydrogen-rich saline on blood pressure and antioxidant ability of lung tissue in scalded rats following delayed resuscitation. METHODS: The hydrogen-rich saline was prepared (hydrogen-saturated normal saline with hydrogen concentration of 0.6 mmol/L). Twenty SD rats were divided into hydrogen-rich saline group (HS) and normal saline group (NS) according to the random number table, with 10 rats in each group. All the rats were subjected to 30% total body surface area (TBSA) full-thickness scald. Rats in HS and NS groups were infused with hydrogen-rich saline or normal saline with one half of the total fluid replacement volume as calculated according to the Parkland formula (4 mL×kg(-1)×%TBSA(-1)) at post scald hour (PSH) 7 and one-quarter of the volume at PSH 9 and 17 respectively. The general condition of rats during the experiment was observed. The systolic pressure of rats was measured at PSH 6 and 24. All rats were sacrificed at PSH 24 to collect lung tissue for detecting superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibition ratio and malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Data were processed with t test. RESULTS: All rats survived through the experiment. The systolic pressure of rats in HS group and NS group was respectively (87 ± 4) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) and (86 ± 5) mm Hg at PSH 6, and the values were close (t = 0.213, P = 0.834); however the systolic pressure at 24 h was higher in HS group than in NS group [(124 ± 7) mm Hg vs. (115 ± 6) mm Hg, t = 2.958, P = 0.008]. SOD inhibition ratio of lung tissue in HS group [(0.465 ± 0.014)%] was higher than that in NS group [(0.358 ± 0.021)%, t = 11.767, P = 0.000]. MDA level of lung tissue in HS group [(922 ± 196) pmol/mg] was lower than that in NS group [(1118 ± 212) pmol/mg, t = -2.142, P = 0.046]. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed resuscitation for scalded rats with hydrogen-rich saline is helpful in the recovery of systolic pressure, and it can ameliorate lung tissue injury caused by reperfusion through enhancing the effect of antioxidase.

Notoginsenoside R1 attenuates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury of the kidney is a complex pathophysiological process and a major cause of acute renal failure. It has been shown that I/R injury is related to inflammatory responses and activation of apoptotic pathways. Inhibition of certain elements of inflammatory responses and apoptotic pathway seemed to ameliorate renal I/R injury. As an effective element of Panax notoginseng, NR1 has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and immune-stimulatory activities. Therefore, we speculate that NR1 can attenuate renal I/R injury. Ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by renal pedicle ligation followed by reperfusion along with a contralateral nephrectomy. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to four groups: sham group, I/R control group, NR1-1 group (rats treated with NR1, 20 mg.kg.d) and NR1-2 group (rats treated with NR1, 40 mg.kg.d). All animals were killed 72 h after I/R induction. Blood and renal tissues were collected. Renal dysfunction was observed by the level of serum creatinine and histological evaluation. Apoptosis and inflammatory response in the tissue of kidney were detected mainly with molecular biological methods. NR1 attenuated I/R-induced renal dysfunction as indicated by the level of serum creatinine and histological evaluation. It prevented the I/R-induced increases in the levels of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, myeloperoxidase activity, phosphorylation of p38, and activation of nuclear factor kappaB with cell apoptosis in the kidney and enhanced expression of antiapoptosis cytokine bcl-2. Treatment with NR1 improves renal function after I/R associated with a significant reduction in cell apoptosis and inflammatory responses, which may be related to p38 and nuclear factor kappaB inhibition.

[Preliminary study on the reliability and validity of Chinese version of the Abbreviated Burn Specific Health Scale].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability and validity of Chinese version of the Abbreviated Burn Specific Health Scale (BSHS-A). METHODS: BSHS-A was translated into Chinese and revised. Eighty-two former burn patients discharged from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College, and now in rehabilitation stage, were surveyed with the Chinese version of BSHS-A according to the simple random sampling. The psychometric properties of the scale, including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content validity and discriminant validity, were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-seven scales were sent to 82 participants and all of them were completed and returned. The rate of eligible questionnaire was 98.2% after eliminating 3 ineligible questionnaires. The Crobach's alpha coefficient of total score of questionnaire was 0.97, and in all domains and sub-domains ranged from 0.83 to 0.96. The test-retest coefficients from 20 participants retested within one week were between 0.74 and 0.98 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Forty-eight participants surveyed within 6 months after burn were divided into mild/moderate burn group and severe burn group. The total scores of questionnaire, scores in all domains and sub-domains of patients in the latter group were lower than those in the former group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of BSHS-A shows satisfactory reliability and validity, and it can be used to investigate quality of life of Chinese burn patients in rehabilitation stage.

[Study on the mechanism of protective effect of oral L-arginine on intestine after scald injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of protective effect of oral L-arginine (L-Arg) on the intestine after scald injury in rats. METHODS: Sixty-six Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: i.e. normal control (N, n = 6, without treatment), oral L-arginine group (A, n = 30, with 1 ml 70 g/L of L-Arg per os 2 times a day from 2 post scald hour (PSH)) on with normal enteral feeding and group B (n = 30, with oral feeding of cold boiled water after scald). The changes in the content of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET), ET/NO ratio in the intestine and the level of plasma endotoxin (LPS) in portal vein were assessed at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 PSH. Ileum tissue samples were harvested for pathological examination. RESULTS: The ET content in the intestinal tissue in A group at 6, 12 and 24 PSH (0.80 +/- 0.26 ng/g, 0.75 +/- 0.30 ng/g, 0.63 +/- 0.22 ng/g) was obviously lower than that in B group (1.26 +/- 0.38 ng/g, 1.34 +/- 0.37 ng/g, 0.97 +/- 0.19 ng/g, P < 0.05), but the NO contents in the intestine in A group at the same time points were significantly higher than that in B group (P < 0.01). The ET/NO ratio and the level of plasma endotoxin in A group were significantly lower than those in B group at each time point (P < 0.05 or 0.01). Pathological examination showed that the intestinal mucosal injury in the A group was obviously milder than that in the B group. CONCLUSION: Oral L-arginine was shown to have the effects to ameliorate ischemia reperfusion injury of the intestine and to protect the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa. This might be related to an increase in the NO level in intestinal mucosa resulting in maintenance of a stable ET/NO ratio.