Tea polyphenol-engineered hybrid cellular nanovesicles for cancer immunotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a crucial and effective strategy for prostate cancer, while systemic administration may cause profound side effects on normal tissues. More importantly, the ADT can easily lead to resistance by involving the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and high infiltration of M2 macrophages in tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, we developed a biomimetic nanotherapeutic platform by deriving cell membrane nanovesicles from cancer cells and probiotics to yield the hybrid cellular nanovesicles (hNVs), loading flutamide (Flu) into the resulting hNVs, and finally modifying the hNVs@Flu with Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). In this nanotherapeutic platform, the hNVs significantly improved the accumulation of hNVs@Flu-EGCG in tumor sites and reprogramed immunosuppressive M2 macrophages into antitumorigenic M1 macrophages, the Flu acted on androgen receptors and inhibited tumor proliferation, and the EGCG promoted apoptosis of prostate cancer cells by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, thus synergistically stimulating the antitumor immunity and reducing the side effects and resistance of ADT. In a prostate cancer mouse model, the hNVs@Flu-EGCG significantly extended the lifespan of mice with tumors and led to an 81.78% reduction in tumor growth compared with the untreated group. Overall, the hNVs@Flu-EGCG are safe, modifiable, and effective, thus offering a promising platform for effective therapeutics of prostate cancer.

Survey investigation of articaine use in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Local anesthesia is an essential component of dentistry, but there is limited quantifiable understanding of what techniques and local anesthetic solutions are used by practicing dentists. Use of the local anesthetic articaine has been highly debated in dentistry regarding its efficacy and risks for paresthesia. The aims of this study were to expand the knowledge of local anesthesia practices of dentists in the United States through a large-scale survey and associate potential influencing factors regarding articaine use specifically. METHODS: The 23-item survey was sent to 10,340 practicing dentists in the United States, gathering demographic data and local anesthesia approaches and concerns. Statistical analysis consisted of descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1,128 dentists completed the survey. Previous experience with articaine was reported by 97.6% of respondents, with 3.3% no longer using articaine. Sixty percent of respondents indicated using articaine for most local anesthetic injections administered. Multivariable regression analysis found those reporting to use articaine for all local anesthetic injections involving vasoconstrictors were more likely to be male (odds ratio, 1.59; P = .002) or general dentists (odds ratio, 1.63; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Articaine has a perceived benefit to practitioners as most respondents reported using articaine as their primary local anesthetic. A practitioner's sex and type were found to affect the profile of use of articaine. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Assembling evidenced-based local anesthesia practices would be beneficial to ensure US practitioners are more standardized in administering local anesthetics, particularly articaine, in the safest and most efficacious way.

Clinical Evaluation of Levetiracetam in the Treatment of Epilepsy.

Objectives: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by episodes of seizure. Methods: In this study, patients with status epilepticus in the Intensive Care Unit of the Department of Neurology of Qujing First People's Hospital were collected and treated with levetiracetam injection, continuous bedside EEG monitoring (cEEG) technology, and quantitative EEG (qEEG) technique. The inhibitory effects of different doses of levetiracetam injection and sodium valproate on abnormal discharge, the improvement of clinical symptoms, the incidence of adverse reactions, and prognosis were monitored, analyzed, and compared. Results: Compared with the experimental group of sodium valproate, 1000 mg/d levetiracetam group and 1500 mg/d levetiracetam group had a high probability of successful symptom control and a short control time. The patients had a low recurrence rate and a long recurrence time, and the probability of abnormal discharge in EEG was low. Conclusions: The recording results showed that levetiracetam could significantly inhibit the abnormal discharge of patients. Compared with sodium valproate, high-dose levetiracetam is a drug with a rapid effect, good effect, and long action time.

Complete chloroplast genome features and phylogenetic analysis of Eruca sativa (Brassicaceae).

Eruca sativa Mill. (Brassicaceae) is an important edible vegetable and a potential medicinal plant due to the antibacterial activity of its seed oil. Here, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of E. sativa was de novo assembled with a combination of long PacBio reads and short Illumina reads. The E. sativa cp genome had a quadripartite structure that was 153,522 bp in size, consisting of one large single-copy region of 83,320 bp and one small single-copy region of 17,786 bp which were separated by two inverted repeat (IRa and IRb) regions of 26,208 bp. This complete cp genome harbored 113 unique genes: 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Forty-nine long repetitive sequences and 69 simple sequence repeats were identified in the E. sativa cp genome. A codon usage analysis of the E. sativa cp genome showed a bias toward codons ending in A/T. The E. sativa cp genome was similar in size, gene composition, and linearity of the structural region when compared with other Brassicaceae cp genomes. Moreover, the analysis of the synonymous (Ks) and non-synonymous (Ka) substitution rates demonstrated that protein-coding genes generally underwent purifying selection pressure, expect ycf1, ycf2, and rps12. A phylogenetic analysis determined that E. sativa is evolutionarily close to important Brassica species, indicating that it may be possible to transfer favorable E. sativa alleles into other Brassica species. Our results will be helpful to advance genetic improvement and breeding of E. sativa, and will provide valuable information for utilizing E. sativa as an important resource to improve other Brassica species.

[Relationship between inorganic elements in rhizosphere soil and rhizome radial striations in Ligusticum chuanxiong].

The study is aimed to reveal the fluctuation of the inorganic elements in the rhizosphere soil of Ligusticum chuanxiong during their whole growth period, and explore the relationship between that fluctuation and the formation of radial striations character in the rhizomes. During the cultivation period of L. chuanxiong, the rhizosphere soil samples were taken regularly, and the content of 26 inorganic elements were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry(XRF). Then the difference between the radial striations and un-radial striations rhizomes were analyzed for their fluctuation of the inorganic elements. The results showed that there were different "key period" and "key elements" in the rhizosphere elements content of L. chuanxiong rhizome with radial and un-radial striations, and different element coordination and antagonistic relationship. The key fluctuation period of rhizosphere elements in un-radial striations group were in 0-60 and 60-150 days, of which 22 elements such as Na, Mg, Al were the key elements in 0-60 days, and 5 elements such as Sr, Hf, Pb, Co, Ce were the key elements in 60-150 days. The key fluctuation period of rhizosphere elements in radial striations group were in 0-60 and 210-270 days, of which four elements such as Na, Co, Ce, As are the key change elements in 0-60 days, and 18 elements such as Mg, Al, Si are the key change elements in 210-270 days. At the same time, the study showed that the fluctuation of inorganic elements in rhizosphere soil coincided with the growth and development process of L. chuanxiong and the key period of the formation of "radial striations rhizome". The key stage which the rapid growth of lateral buds of rhizome affected the formation of radial striations is 60-150 days after planting, while the increase of Sr and Co elements is likely to be an important reason for the expansion of lateral buds of rhizome and the failure to form typical "radial striations rhizome" in un-radial striations group.

Effects of Chemical Composition and Microstructure in Human Milk and Infant Formulas on Lipid Digestion.

Infant formula (IF) is an important substitute for infants when human milk (HM) is unavailable; however, it was often observed with "insufficient fat" and showed different metabolic phenotypes, which may affect the growth and brain development of the infant. Considering that the milk fat digestion rate may affect the fat absorption and metabolism and further influence the metabolic phenotype, it is valuable to study the fat digestive behaviors of IF and HM. In the current study, we investigated the in vitro fat digestive properties of HM in comparison to four formulas (IF1, 2, 3, 4) including IFs enriched in OPO lipids (IF1 and IF3) and IFs with common mixed plant oils (IF2 and IF4). Results showed that the extent of eventual lipid hydrolysis of HM (98.9 ± 2.70%) was higher than those of IF1 and IF3 (90.4 ± 3.39 and 91.1 ± 1.67%, respectively) (p < 0.05) and IF2 and IF4 (81.9 ± 1.64 and 79.9 ± 1.05% respectively) (p < 0.01). Native fat globules and protein aggregation were observed at the end of HM gastric digestion, and the aggregates became smaller and then resolved from 60 to 120 min in intestinal digestion, while a large number of aggregates were observed in IF, which may slow the lipid digestion. The absorption differences between HM and IFs in lipid digestion need further study to elucidate the nutritional relevance to infant development and growth.

Proteomics analysis of tumor exosomes reveals vital pathways of Jinfukang inhibiting circulating tumor cells metastasis in lung cancer.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Jinfukang has long been used for the clinical treatment of lung cancer. Previous studies have shown that Jinfukang can induce the apoptosis of circulating tumor cells by intervening ROS-mediated DNA damage pathway. However, whether Jinfukang can inhibit the metastasis of circulating tumor cells and its mechanism are still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To further investigate the mechanism of Jinfukang in anti-metastasis of lung cancer from the perspective of intervention of tumor exosomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The invadopodia formation was determined with immunofluorescence. Invasion and migration were detected using the Transwell assay. Ultracentrifugation was used to isolate exosomes. Exosomes were characterized by electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and immunoblotting, and the protein profile was evaluated by proteomic analysis. The molecular functions, biological processes and signaling pathway enrichment analysis were performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Key differentially expressed proteins were verified by Western blot. RESULTS: Jinfukang can inhibit the expression of MMP14, cortactin, Tks5 and the formation of invadopodia of CTC-TJH-01 cells. Furthermore, Jinfukang can significantly inhibit the invasion and migration of CTC-TJH-01 cells. The diameter of exosomes extracted from the CTC-TJH-01 cells treated by Jinfukang was 30-100 nm, and the exosomal markers CD63, CD81 and TSG101 were expressed. We identified 680 deferentially expressed proteins. Gene oncology analysis indicated that exosomes were mostly derived from plasma membrane and mainly involved in protein localization and intracellular signaling. The ingenuity pathway analysis showed that the EGF pathway was significantly inhibited, whereas the GP6 signaling pathway was significantly activated. We also confirmed that Jinfukang inhibited the expression of EGF pathway-related proteins in CTC-TJH-01 cells. Besides, when EGF was used to activate EGF signaling pathway, the inhibition of Jinfukang on CTC cell metastasis was reversed. CONCLUSION: Jinfukang inhibits the metastasis of CTC-TJH-01 cells through the EGF pathway.

Macrophage membrane-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for enhanced photothermal tumor therapy.

Nanotechnology possesses the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of tumors. The ideal nanoparticles used for in vivo cancer therapy should have long blood circulation times and active cancer targeting. Additionally, they should be harmless and invisible to the immune system. Here, we developed a biomimetic nanoplatform with the above properties for cancer therapy. Macrophage membranes were reconstructed into vesicles and then coated onto magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs). Inherited from the Fe3O4 core and the macrophage membrane shell, the resulting Fe3O4@MM NPs exhibited good biocompatibility, immune evasion, cancer targeting and light-to-heat conversion capabilities. Due to the favorable in vitro and in vivo properties, biomimetic Fe3O4@MM NPs were further used for highly effective photothermal therapy of breast cancer in nude mice. Surface modification of synthetic nanomaterials with biomimetic cell membranes exemplifies a novel strategy for designing an ideal nanoplatform for translational medicine.

Increased Chondrocyte Apoptosis in Kashin-Beck Disease and Rats Induced by T-2 Toxin and Selenium Deficiency / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate chondrocyte apoptosis and the expression of biochemical markers associated with apoptosis in Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and in an established T-2 toxin- and selenium (Se) deficiency-induced rat model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cartilages were collected from the hand phalanges of five patients with KBD and five healthy children. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered a selenium-deficient diet for 4 weeks prior to T-2 toxin exposure. The apoptotic chondrocytes were observed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. Caspase-3, p53, Bcl-2, and Bax proteins in the cartilages were visualized by immunohistochemistry, their protein levels were determined by Western blotting, and mRNA levels were determined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Increased chondrocyte apoptosis was observed in the cartilages of children with KBD. Increased apoptotic and caspase-3-stained cells were observed in the cartilages of rats fed with normal and Se-deficient diets plus T-2 toxin exposure compared to those in rats fed with normal and Se-deficient diets. Caspase-3, p53, and Bax proteins and mRNA levels were higher, whereas Bcl-2 levels were lower in rats fed with normal or Se-deficiency diets supplemented with T-2 toxin than the corresponding levels in rats fed with normal diet.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>T-2 toxin under a selenium-deficient nutritional status induces chondrocyte death, which emphasizes the role of chondrocyte apoptosis in cartilage damage and progression of KBD.</p>

Identification and characterization of a cytotoxic polysaccharide from the flower of Abelmoschus manihot.

A low molecular weight polysaccharide was identified from the flower of Abelmoschus manihot (Linn.) Medicus, a popular herbal medicine also known as Flos A. manihot. The polysaccharide, AMPS-a, was obtained from the ethanol-extracted debris of Flos A. manihot by successive purification through DEAE-cellulose-52 and Sephadex G-100 column. AMPS-a has an estimated molecular weight of 8.8×10(3)Da and is mainly composed of ß-d-glucose, α-d-mannose, α-d-galactose and α-l-fucose at a molar ratio of 1.00:0.91:2.14:1.09. The preliminary structural features were studied by hydrolysis-methylation analysis, GC-MS, FT-IR and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. AMPS-a contains a backbone composed of repeating units of →6)α-d-Galp-(1→6)α-d-Manp-(1→6)α-d-Galp-(1→ with ß-d-Glcp (1→3)α-Fucp-(1→ branching at O-3 of mannose. AMPS-a exhibited potent inhibitory effects on the proliferation of hepatic (SMMC-7721, HepG2) and gastric (MGC-803, MKN-45) cancer cells in vitro, and the sugar branches were indispensible for the cytotoxicity. Our work contributes to the first report of a novel cytotoxic polysaccharide from Flos A. manihot that may provide a potential source of anti-tumor agent.

Association of community-based dental education components with fourth-year dental students' clinical performance.

The purpose of this study was to assess which components of a community-based dental education (CBDE) program at The University of Iowa College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics were associated with overall student performance. This retrospective study analyzed data for 444 fourth-year students who graduated in 2006 through 2011. Information pertaining to students' CBDE rotations and their final grades from the comprehensive clinic (in two areas: Production and Competence) were used for statistical analysis. Bivariate analyses indicated that students who completed CBDE in the fall were more likely to receive an A or B in Production compared to students who completed CBDE in the spring. However, students who completed CBDE in the beginning or end of the academic year were more likely to receive an A or B in Competence compared to those who completed CBDE in the middle of the year. Students who treated a variety of patient types during CBDE experiences (comprehensive and emergency care vs. mainly comprehensive care) were more likely to receive better grades in Production, while CBDE clinic type was not associated with grades. Dental schools should consider how CBDE may impact students' performance in their institutional clinics when developing and evaluating CBDE programs.

Erosive potentials of brewed teas.

PURPOSE: To measure the pH, titratable acidity, fluoride concentration and erosive potential of brewed teas. METHODS: Bag teas were purchased to represent black, green, citrus, fruity, and floral tea flavors from Tulsi, Bigelow, HyVee, Tazo, and Yogi brands and brewed (1 bag/240 ml) in boiling water for 3 minutes. The pH, titratable acidity, and fluoride concentrations were measured. Following these measurements, a representative tea from each flavor was selected for investigation of erosion potential. Six extracted human molars were randomly assigned to each tea. Teeth were painted with fingernail polish to expose a 1 x 4 mm window and then soaked in tea for a total of 25 hours with teas refreshed every 5 hours. Teeth were then sectioned using a microtome and photographed using a polarized light microscope. Lesion depths (i.e., eroded surfaces) were measured using Image Pro Plus software. Differences in physiochemical properties and lesion depths between beverages were investigated using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey's HSD test. Relationships among lesion depths and physiochemical properties were evaluated using the Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: pH, titratable acidity and fluoride concentrations differed between tea flavors (P < 0.05) and between brands (P < 0.05). Lesion depths produced by the citrus tea (83.1 +/- 10.3 microm) were greater than those produced by the fruity tea (56.5 +/- 6.1 microm); both teas produced greater depths than black (30.1 +/- 7.4 microm), floral (25.0 +/- 3.2 microm) or green (22.3 +/- 6.3 microm) teas (P < 0.05). pH (r = -0.96; P = 0.009) was inversely and titratable acidity (r = 0.97; P = 0.006) was positively associated with lesion depths.

Effect of lutein and zeaxanthin on macular pigment and visual function in patients with early age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To determine whether supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin improves macular pigment and visual function in patients with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: Participants with probable AMD who were 50 to 79 years of age were screened for study eligibility from the local communities. One hundred eight subjects with early AMD were recruited. INTERVENTION: Early AMD patients were assigned randomly to receive 10 mg/day lutein (n = 27), 20 mg/day lutein (n = 27), 10 mg/day lutein plus 10 mg/day zeaxanthin (n = 27); or placebo (n = 27) for 48 weeks. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and visual function variables were assessed at baseline, 24 weeks, and 48 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was MPOD. Secondary outcomes were visual function variables including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), photorecovery time, and Amsler grid testing results. RESULTS: Macular pigment optical density increased significantly by a mean ± standard error of 0.076 ± 0.022 density unit in the 20-mg lutein group and 0.058 ± 0.027 density unit in the lutein and zeaxanthin group during 48 weeks. There was a significant dose-response effect for lutein supplementation, and the changes in MPOD from baseline to 48 weeks were correlated negatively with baseline MPOD in all active treatment groups (r = -0.56; P<0.001). At 48 weeks, a trend toward improvement was seen in BCVA, and there was a significant between-group difference in CS at 3 and 6 cycles/degree between the 20-mg lutein group and the placebo group. The increase in MPOD related positively to the reduction in the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA (r = -0.31; P<0.01) and the increases in CS at 4 spatial frequencies (r ranging from 0.26 to 0.38; all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with early AMD, supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin improved macular pigment, which played a causative role in boosting visual function and might prevent the progression of AMD. Future studies are required to evaluate the effect of these carotenoids on the incidence of late AMD.

[Simultaneous determination of selaginellins and biflavones in Selaginella tamariscina and S. pulvinata by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a HPLC-DAD model for the simultaneous determination of two selaginellins (selaginellin and selaginellin B) and four biflavones (amentoflavone, sequoiaflavone, hinokiflavone and isocryptomerin) contained in 10 batches of Selaginella tamariscina and 12 batches of S. pulvinata produced in different areas. METHOD: The analysis was performed on a Waters Cosmosil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) eluted with acetonitril-0.1% formic acid as mobile phase in a linear gradient mode. The detection wavelength was set at 280, 337 nm. The flow rate was kept at 1.0 mL x min(-1), and the column temperature was 30 degrees C. RESULT: The six active constituents showed significant different in content. Amentoflavone in S. tamariscina contains (5. 628-9. 184 mg x g(-1)) is more than that contained in S. pulvinata (0.823-7.131 mg x g(-1)), while selaginellin in S. pulvinata (0.123-0.593 mg x g(-1)) is more than that contained in S. tamariscina (0.067-0.133 mg x g(-1)). All the calibration curves showed good linear correlation coefficients (r > 0.9997) over the wide test ranges. CONCLUSION: The developed HPLC-DAD method is simple, sensitive and accurate and has the good repeatability in separation, which is available for the quality control of S. tamariscina and S. pulvinata.

Improvement of retinal function in early age-related macular degeneration after lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation: a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation on retinal function using multifocal electroretinograms (mfERG) in patients with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: One hundred eight subjects with early AMD were randomly assigned to receive 10 mg/d lutein (n = 27), 20 mg/d lutein (n = 27), 10 mg/d lutein plus 10 mg/d zeaxanthin (n = 27), or placebo (n = 27) for 48 weeks. Thirty-six age-matched controls without AMD were also enrolled to compare baseline data with early AMD patients. MfERG responses and macular pigment optical densities (MPODs) were recorded and analyzed at baseline and at 24 and 48 weeks. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in N1P1 response densities in ring 1 to ring 3 in early AMD patients compared with the controls (P < .05), whereas neither N1P1 response densities in ring 4 to ring 6 nor P1 peak latencies significantly changed. After 48-week supplementation, the N1P1 response densities showed significant increases in ring 1 for the 20 mg lutein group and for the lutein and zeaxanthin group, and in ring 2 for the 20 mg lutein group. The increases in MPOD related positively to the increases in N1P1 response density in ring 1 and ring 2 for nearly all active treatment groups. N1P1 response densities in ring 3 to ring 6 or P1 peak latencies in all rings did not change significantly in any group. CONCLUSION: Early functional abnormalities of the central retina in the early AMD patients could be improved by lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation. These improvements may be potentially attributed to the elevations in MPOD.

The involvement of Iowa dentists in hospice care.

The relationships between dentist characteristics and professional education with involvement of Iowa dentists in hospice care were investigated. Using the 1999 Iowa Health Professional database, a survey requesting information regarding involvement in and training for care of hospice patients was mailed to all licensed dentists (N = 1,210). Two mailings yielded a 54.6% response rate. Of the 638 dentist respondents, the mean age was 47, 86% were male, 88% general dentists, and 295 (46%) reported providing some treatment for hospice patients. At least one dentist reported providing hospice patient care in 72 of Iowa's 99 counties. About 90% of dentists treating hospice patients were general practitioners. Males were more likely to provide treatment (p < 0.0313). Neither dentist age nor years in practice were significant predictors. Dentists were more likely to treat hospice patients in the office (IO, 40%). The most prevalent treatments were denture relines (31% IO; 71% OO), examinations (16% IO; 68% OO), and emergency treatment (12.5% IO; 53% OO). More than 86% of surveyed dentists indicated that their professional education did not adequately train them to meet the clinical, psychosocial, communication, or spiritual needs of hospice patients.

Parallel subgroup design of a randomized controlled clinical trial-comparing the approaches of Chinese medicine and Western medicine / 中国结合医学杂志

A new method for the comparison of the treatment efficacy for specific diseases or conditions between Chinese medicine and Western medicine, which serve the same medical aim but are based on substantially different theoretical systems, was identified. Abiding by the principle of parallel subgroup design of a randomized controlled trial (PSD-RCT), participants were recruited following identical inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly allocated into two groups to receive treatment using the respective approaches of Chinese medicine and Western medicine. The Chinese medicine group was divided into subgroups according to the theory of Chinese medicine and the Western medicine group was also divided into subgroups according to the theory of Western medicine. The treatment for each subgroup was well defined in the protocol, including major formulae and principles for individualized modifications. The primary outcome measure was ascertained to be directly related to the patients' status but independent from both theories of Chinese medicine and Western medicine, while the secondary outcomes were represented by the patient-reported outcomes and some laboratory tests commonly accepted by Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Then, taking functional dyspepsia as an example, the authors explain the framework of the PSD-RCT for efficacy comparisons between Chinese medicine and Western medicine, and recommend that the PSD-RCT can be used to compare treatment efficacy for a specific disease or condition between Chinese medicine and Western medicine, and the comparison among subgroups can provide valuable clues for further studies.

In vitro protection against dental erosion afforded by commercially available, calcium-fortified 100 percent juices.

BACKGROUND: Calcium in acidic beverages can decrease a person's risk of experiencing dental erosion. The authors compared the pHs and titratable acidities of commercially available calcium-fortified and unfortified 100 percent juices, and enamel and root surface lesion depths after they were exposed to different juices. METHODS: The authors measured the pH and titratable acidity of calcium-fortified and unfortified 100 percent juices. They exposed enamel and root surfaces to different 100 percent juices for 25 hours and measured lesion depths. They used the Spearman rank correlation test and the two-sample t test to identify associations between the juices' properties and lesion depths and to compare lesion depths between fortified and unfortified juices. RESULTS: The authors found that fortifying apple, orange and grapefruit juices with calcium prevented enamel erosion and decreased root surface erosion (P < .01). They also found that fortifying white grape juice with calcium decreased enamel erosion (P < .001) but not root surface erosion. They observed that mean lesion depths were greater in root surfaces than in enamel surfaces after exposure to unfortified orange juice and all fortified juices (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Calcium concentrations in commercially available, calcium-fortified 100 percent juices are sufficient to decrease and prevent erosion associated with extended exposure to a beverage. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: People at risk of experiencing erosion could decrease their erosion risk by consuming calcium-fortified juices.

Heteroatom-linked indanylpyrazines are corticotropin releasing factor type-1 receptor antagonists.

Low nanomolar corticotropin releasing factor type-1 (CRF(1)) receptor antagonists containing unique indanylamines were identified from the heteroatom-linked pyrazine chemotype. The most potent indanylpyrazine had a K(i)=11+/-1 nM. The oxygen-linked pyrazinyl derivatives were prepared through a copper-catalyzed coupling of a pyridinone to a bromo- or iodopyrazine.

[Effects of Xuebijing injection on protein C and tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA in rats with sepsis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the integrated traditional Chinese medicine Xuebijing injection on protein C (PC) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA in rats with sepsis. METHODS: Sepsis was induced in Wistar rats by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Ninety-six healthy animals were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, sham-operation group, CLP model group, and Xuebijing-treated group. The two latter groups were divided into 2, 8, 24, 48, and 72-hour subgroups with 8 rats in each subgroup. Platelet count of blood obtained from abdominal aorta was determined and tissue samples from liver and lungs were collected to measure tissue PC and TNF-alpha mRNA expression. RESULTS: PC gene expression levels in lung tissues were significantly lowered (all P<0.01), but they were dramatically raised by Xuebijing injection during 8-72 hours post-CLP (all P<0.01). Compared with normal group, TNF-alpha mRNA levels in liver and lungs were significantly elevated at 2 hours post-CLP (P<0.05 or P<0.01). However, treatment with Xuebijing injection markedly reduced TNF-alpha mRNA both in liver and lungs at 2-24 hours (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In CLP group, blood platelet count was significantly decreased to certain extent at different intervals within 8-72 hours, and it was markedly elevated in the Xuebijing-treated group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that Xuebijing injection could exert preventing effect on the development of severe sepsis by suppressing PC and TNF-alpha mRNA.