[A neonatal intelligent regulation system based on the combination of mild hypothermia mattress and hyperbaric oxygen chamber: introduction to a patent]. / 基于亚低温床垫与高压氧舱结合的新生儿智能调控系统.

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a common disease that affects brain function in neonates. At present, mild hypothermia and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are the main methods for the treatment of neonatal HIE; however, they are independent of each other and cannot be combined for synchronous treatment, without monitoring of brain function-related physiological information. In addition, parameter setting of hyperbaric oxygen chamber and mild hypothermia mattress relies on the experience of the medical practitioner, and the parameters remain unchanged throughout the medical process. This article proposes a new device for the treatment of neonatal HIE, which has the modules of hyperbaric oxygen chamber and mild hypothermic mattress, so that neonates can receive the treatment of hyperbaric oxygen chamber and/or mild hypothermic mattress based on their conditions. Meanwhile, it can realize the real-time monitoring of various physiological information, including amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram, and near-infrared spectrum, which can monitor brain function, heart rate, rhythm, myocardial blood supply, hemoglobin concentration in brain tissue, and blood oxygen saturation. In combination with an intelligent control algorithm, the device can intelligently regulate parameters according to the physiological information of neonates and give recommendations for subsequent treatment.

[Effects of Yinzhihuang oral liquid and Lonicera japonica extract on hemolysis and hyperbilirubinemia in rats with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of different doses of Yinzhihuang oral liquid and different concentrations of Lonicera japonica extract on hemolysis and hyperbilirubinemia in rats with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 10 groups (n=10 each): normal control group (untreated), negative control group (saline-treated), positive control group (primaquine-treated), low-, medium- and high-dose Yinzhihuang oral liquid groups (13.4, 26.8, and 53.6 mL/kg, respectively), and low-, medium-, high-, and very-high-concentration Lonicera japonica groups (6.7 mL/kg administered, containing 8, 40, 80, and 160 mg/mL Lonicera japonica extract, respectively). A rat model of acetylphenylhydrazine-induced G6PD deficiency was established in all groups except the normal control group, as confirmed by the morphological changes in erythrocytes observed using Wright's stain. After treatment, routine blood and biochemical tests were conducted to measure hemolytic indices, as well as changes in total and indirect bilirubin levels. RESULTS: Rats with G6PD deficiency demonstrated irregular erythrocytes with a lighter-staining center. In the positive control group, the red blood cell count decreased, while the free hemoglobin count and the reticulocyte percentage increased, as compared with before treatment (P<0.05); in all the Yinzhihuang oral liquid groups and Lonicera japonica extract groups, all the above indices except reticulocyte percentage returned to the levels before treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the positive control group, all the Yinzhihuang oral liquid groups had significantly reduced total and indirect bilirubin levels (P<0.05), and all the Lonicera japonica group had significantly reduced indirect bilirubin levels (P<0.05). However, the total bilirubin level was significantly higher in the Lonicera japonica groups than in the Yinzhihuang oral liquid groups (P<0.05). The low-dose Yinzhihuang oral liquid group demonstrated a significantly greater decrease in total bilirubin level than the medium- and high-dose Yinzhihuang oral liquid group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of high-dose Yinzhihuang oral liquid and different concentrations of Lonicera Japonica extract do not cause hemolysis in rats with G6PD deficiency. Yinzhihuang oral liquid is more effective in treating hyperbilirubinemia than Lonicera Japonica extract. However, the efficacy of Yinzhihuang oral liquid may not be dose-dependent.

[Effect of rhubarb on neonatal rats with bronchopulmonary dysplasia induced by hyperoxia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of rhubarb on neonatal rats with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) induced by hyperoxia. METHODS: A total of 64 rats (postnatal day 4) were randomly divided into four groups: air control, rhubarb control, hyperoxia model, and hyperoxia+rhubarb (n=16 each). The rats in the hyperoxia model and hyperoxia+rhubarb groups were exposed to hyperoxia (60% O2) to establish a BPD model. The rats in the rhubarb control and hyperoxia+rhubarb groups were given rhubarb extract suspension (600 mg/kg) by gavage daily. The pathological changes of lung tissue were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining on postnatal days 14 and 21. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured by spectrophotometry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. RESULTS: The hyperoxia model group showed reduced alveolar number, increased alveolar volume, and simplified alveolar structure, which worsened over the time of exposure to hyperoxia. These pathological changes were significantly reduced in the hyperoxia+rhubarb group. On postnatal days 14 and 21, compared with the air control and rhubarb control groups, the hyperoxia model group had significantly reduced radical alveolar count (RAC), significantly reduced activity of SOD in the lung tissue, and significantly increased content of MDA and mRNA and protein expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 (P<0.05). Compared with the hyperoxia model group, the hyperoxia+rhubarb group had significantly increased RAC, significantly increased activity of SOD in the lung tissue, and significantly reduced content of MDA and mRNA and protein expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Rhubarb may play a protective role in rats with BPD induced by hyperoxia through inhibiting inflammatory response and oxidative stress.

Atractylenolide I protects mice from lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury.

Atractylenolide I (AO-I), one of the major bioactive components isolated from Rhizoma Atractylodes macrocephala, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of AO-I on acute lung injury (ALI) using LPS-induced ALI mouse model. Lung injury was assessed by histological study. Inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1ß production were detected by ELISA. TLR4 expression and NF-κB activation were measured by western blot analysis. The results showed that treatment of AO-I significantly attenuated LPS-induced lung wet-to-dry weight ratio and MPO activity. Meanwhile, treatment of AO-I significantly inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-13, and MIF production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), as well as neutrophils and macrophages in BALF. AO-1 could up-regulate the production of IL-10 in BALF. Besides, LPS-induced TLR4 expression and NF-κB activation were suppressed by treatment of AO-I. In conclusion, the current study suggested that AO-I protected mice acute lung injury induced by LPS via inhibition of TLR4 expression and NF-κB activation.

Astragalus polysaccharides exert protective effects in newborn rats with bronchopulmonary dysplasia by upregulating the expression of EGFL7 in lung tissue.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on the mRNA expression of epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) in lung tissue in newborn rats with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). For this purpose, a total of 96 newborn SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=24): the control group, air room plus APS group, BPD group and the APS group (20 mg/kg/day). Lung tissues were obtained on days 4, 10 and 14 after birth. Morphological changes were observed and the protein and mRNA expression levels of EGFL7, Bax and Bcl-2 were determined. The rats in the BPD group (BPD induced by hyperoxia) presented with an arrest in alveolar and vascular development and low mRNA and protein expression levels of of EGFL7, Bcl-2 and high levels of Bax compared with the rats in the control group. However, lung damage in the APS intervention group was attenuated compared with the BPD group. The protein and mRNA expression levels of EGFL7 and Bcl-2 were also increased and the level of Bax was decreased in the APS intervention group (P<0.01) compared with the BPD model group after birth on days 4, 10 and 14. Our data demonstrate that APS reduce airway remodeling and alveolar damage by upregulating the expression of EGFL7 and exert protective effects against BPD in neonatal rats. Thus, APS may have potential for use as a therapeutic strategy for BPD.

Astragalus polysaccharides mediated preventive effects on bronchopulmonary dysplasia in rats.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a multifactor chronic lung disease that mainly affects premature infants. In this study, we investigate the preventive effects of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on BPD, and explore its potential molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Lung tissues of newborn Sprague-Dawley rats from the control group, the room air plus low-dose APS group, the room air plus high-dose APS group, the BPD model group, the low-dose APS group (20 mg/kg d), and the high-dose APS group (40 mg/kg d) were examined at the 4th, 10th, and 14th d of life. The pathomorphological change was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The content levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by the assay kit. Moreover, the protein and/or mRNA expression levels of NF-κBp65, CD31, ICAM-1, and TNF-α were also detected by corresponding methods. RESULTS: APS decreased the inflammatory cells infiltrating compared with the BPD group. For the APS group, the activity of SOD was increased and the content of MDA was reduced compared with the BPD group at any time point. The protein and mRNA expression levels of NF-κBp65, ICAM-1, and TNF-α were all decreased, while the protein expression level of CD31 was increased in the APS-treated group, with the most significant difference of the high-dose group (P < 0.01) compared with the BPD group after birth on the 4th, 10th, and 14th d. CONCLUSION: APS can reduce airway remodeling and alveolar damage by its modulation of inflammatory mediators and antioxidation, suggesting some protective effects on BPD of neonatal rats.

[Preparation and in vitro evaluations of topically applied capsaicin transfersomes].

OBJECTIVE: Capsaicin transfersomes were prepared and its quality specifications were evaluated. METHOD: Capsaicin transfersomes were prepared by high shear dispersing machine and evaluated on the entrapment efficiency, drugs release rate and in vitro skin permeation. RESULT: Capsaicin transfersomes is composed of single unilamellar vesicles, with average size of 150.6 nm. Capsaicin entrapment efficiency achieved 96.7% while concentration of lecithin used was 8%. cumulative release amount of capsaicin was in direct proportion to the ethanol concentration in the medium. The in vitro rate cumulative penetration rate of capsaicin was higher in transfersomes than in cream and suspension in rats. Adomen skin cumulative penetration rate in vitro of capsaicin transfersomes in mouse was significantly higher than that from rat and men. In the same way,cumulative penetration rate in vitro of capsaicin transfersomes through abdomen skin epidermal membrance was significantly higher than that with derma and full skin in men. CONCLUSION: Entrapment efficiency of capsaicin transfersomes reached 96.7%, meeting the criterion of China pharmacopia( > 80%), skin penetration of capsaicin was enhanced by a capsaicin transfersomes preparation and was affected by diverse characters and levels of skin.

[Clinical study of early interventions for ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate therapeutic effect of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for early management of ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn (ABO-HDN). METHODS: A total of 121 cases with ABO-HDN were randomly divided into treatment group (n=61) and control group (n=60). In addition to the routine treatment of the control group, IVIG were given at a daily dose of 400 mg/kg to the cases in the treatment group for 2-3 times, and therapeutic effects were evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The serum total billirubin concentration on the third day after treatment (153.42-/+45.21 micromol/L) and mean daily serum total billirubin concentration reduction (56.49-/+24.05 micromol/L) in treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The jaundice resolution time (23.51-/+11.19 h) and the phototherapy time (3.01-/+0.89 h) for billirubinemia treatment in treatment group were shorter than those in the control group (P<0.01). The patients in the the treatment group had higher hemoglobin level after treatment (15.59-/+2.01 g/L) than those of the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: High-dose IVIG can effectively arrest the progression of hemolytic disease, quickly reduce serum total billirubin concentration and shorten phototherapy time for early treatment of ABO-HDN.

[Preparation and in vitro and in vivo evaluations of topically applied capsaicin transfersomes].

AIM: To prepare capsaicin transfersomes and evaluate them in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Capsaicin transfersomes were prepared by high shear dispersing machine and evaluated by entrapment efficiency, release rate, in vitro skin permeation and distribution in different tissues in vivo. RESULTS: Capsaicin transfersomes were composed of single unilamellar vesicles with an average diameter of 150.6 nm. Capsaicin entrapment efficiency increased distinctly with increasing of concentration of lecithin and entrapment efficiency is 96.7% while concentration of lecithin to 8%. Cumulative release amount of capsaicin is in direct proportion to the ethanol concentration in the receptor medium. In vitro capsaicin cumulative penetration amount showed higher levels in transfersomes than cream and suspension in rat abdominal skin. Abdominal skin cumulative penetration amount in vitro of capsaicin transfersomes in mouse was significantly higher than that from rat and men. In the same way, abdominal skin epidermal membrane cumulative penetration amount in vitro of capsaicin transfersomes was significantly higher than that from derma and full skin in human abdominal skin. The capsaicin tissue distribution of capsaicin injection by multiple celiac injections in rats is different: bone > plasma > skin > muscle. There is a similar result by multiple thigh topical application of capsaicin transfersomes: bone > skin > plasma > muscle. CONCLUSION: Entrapment efficiency of capsaicin transfersomes reached the criterion of China Pharmacopoeia (> 80%) and capsaicin skin penetration can be increased by capsaicin transfersomes. It should be noted that the diverse characters and levels of skin may probably affect the permeating capability of capsaicin. Capsaicin tissue distribution in bone and muscle is similar and is different in plasma and skin by multiple injections and topical skin apply.