The marine Penicillium sp. GGF16-1-2 metabolite dicitrinone G inhibits pancreatic angiogenesis by regulating the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Citrinin derivatives have been found to have various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antioxidant effects. Dicitrinone G (DG) was a new citrinin dimer isolated from marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. GGF 16-1-2 which has potential activity. Here, we aim to investigate whether DG has anti-pancreatic cancer activity. In xenograft tumor model, 2 × 106 BXPC-3 cells were injected into the hind flank of NU/NU nude mice by subcutaneously for 2 weeks followed by treating with DG (0.25, 0.5, 1 mg/kg) and 5-FU (30 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Tumor volume and weight were measured, and the expression of CD31, IL-18, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 in tumor tissue were detected. In vitro, HUVECs were treated with conditioned medium (CM) derived from BXPC-3 cells, the effects of DG on angiogenesis were detected by tube formation and western blot analysis. In vivo studies showed that the tumor growth and angiogenesis were greatly suppressed. The tumor weight inhibition rates of DG and 5-FU groups were about 42.36%, 38.94%, 43.80%, and 31.88%. Furthermore, the expression of CD31 and Caspase-1 were decreased. In vitro, CM derived from BXPC-3 cells which treated with DG could inhibit the tube formation and expression of pro-angiogenic NICD in HUVECs. Our study suggests that DG could suppress angiogenesis via the NLRP3/IL-18 pathway and may have the potential to inhibit tumor development.

Quantitative assessment of cardiomyocyte mechanobiology through high-throughput cantilever-based functional well plate systems.

Proper regulation of the in vitro cell culture environment is essential for disease modelling and drug toxicity screening. The main limitation of well plates used for cell culture is that they cannot accurately maintain energy sources and compounds needed during cell growth. Herein, to understand the importance of perfusion in cardiomyocyte culture, changes in contractile force and heart rate during cardiomyocyte growth are systematically investigated, and the results are compared with those of a perfusion-free system. The proposed perfusion system consists of a Peltier refrigerator, a peristaltic pump, and a functional well plate. A functional well plate with 12 wells is made through injection moulding, with two tubes integrated in the cover for each well to continuously circulate the culture medium. The contractile force of cardiomyocytes growing on the cantilever surface is analysed through changes in cantilever displacement. The maturation of cardiomyocytes is evaluated through fluorescence staining and western blot; cardiomyocytes cultured in the perfusion system show greater maturity than those cultured in a manually replaced culture medium. The pH of the culture medium manually replaced at intervals of 3 days decreases to 6.8, resulting in an abnormal heartbeat, while cardiomyocytes cultured in the perfusion system maintained at pH 7.4 show improved contractility and a uniform heart rate. Two well-known ion channel blockers, verapamil and quinidine, are used to measure changes in the contractile force of cardiomyocytes from the two systems. Cardiomyocytes in the perfusion system show greater stability during drug toxicity screening, proving that the perfusion system provides a better environment for cell growth.

Electrostatically Controllable Channel Thickness and Tunable Low-Frequency Noise Characteristics of Double-Gated Multilayer MoS2 Field-Effect Transistors with h-BN Dielectric.

Two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials have attracted increasing attention in efforts to overcome fundamental issues faced by the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor industry. Multilayer TMD materials such as MoS2 can be used for high-performance transistor-based applications; the drive currents are high and the materials handle low-frequency (LF) noise well. We fabricated double-gated multilayer MoS2 transistors using the h-BN dielectric for the top gate and silicon dioxide for the bottom gate. We systemically investigated the bottom gate voltage (Vb)-controlled electrical characteristics and the top/bottom interface-coupling effects. The effective thickness of the MoS2 channel (tMoS2_eff) was well modulated by Vb, and tMoS2_eff reduction by negative Vb dramatically improved the Ion/Ioff ratio. Numerical simulation and analytical modeling with a variation of the depletion depth under different bias conditions verified the experimental results. We were also the first to observe Vb-tuned LF noise characteristics. Here, we discuss the Vb-affected series resistance and carrier mobility in detail. Our findings greatly enhance the understanding of how double-gated multilayer MoS2 transistors operate and will facilitate performance optimization in the real world.

Highly durable crack sensor integrated with silicone rubber cantilever for measuring cardiac contractility.

To date, numerous biosensing platforms have been developed for assessing drug-induced cardiac toxicity by measuring the change in contractile force of cardiomyocytes. However, these low sensitivity, low-throughput, and time-consuming processes are severely limited in their real-time applications. Here, we propose a cantilever device integrated with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-encapsulated crack sensor to measure cardiac contractility. The crack sensor is chemically bonded to a PDMS thin layer that allows it to be operated very stably in culture media. The reliability of the proposed crack sensor has been improved dramatically compared to no encapsulation layer. The highly sensitive crack sensor continuously measures the cardiac contractility without changing its gauge factor for up to 26 days (>5 million heartbeats), while changes in contractile force induced by drugs are monitored using the crack sensor-integrated cantilever. Finally, experimental results are compared with those obtained via conventional optical methods to verify the feasibility of building a contraction-based drug-toxicity testing system.

Clinical Efficacy of Wumeiwan Combined with Bazhentang in Treatment of Obese of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Qi and Yin Deficiencies, Phlegm and Stasis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of Wumeiwan combined with Bazhentang in the treatment of obesity type 2 diabetes with Qi and Yin deficiencies, phlegm and stasis. Method: Totally 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 30 cases in each group. Observation group was given Wumeiwan combined with modified Bazhentang in addition to Western medicine (metformin hydrochloride). The control group was treated with traditional Western medicine (metformin hydrochloride). The course of treatment is eight weeks. Fasting blood sugar (FPG),2 hPG (2 hPG),glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c),total cholesterol (TC),triglycerin (TG),body mass index (BMI),safety indicators (three major routine,liver and kidney functions) and clinical symptoms before and after treatment between two groups were compared. The clinical efficacy of two groups was evaluated. Result: The observation group had an effective rate of 93.3% (28/30),which was significantly higher than 73.3% (22/30) of the control group,with statistically significant differences (PPPPConclusion: Modified Wumeiwan combined with Bazhentang is safe and effective in treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with Qi and Yin deficiencies, phlegm and stasis,and can reduce blood sugar,blood lipid,BMI level and relieve clinical symptoms of patients, and so worth promotion.

Exploiting antidiabetic activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Punica granatum leaves and anticancer potential against human liver cancer cells (HepG2).

This study first time reports the novel synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a Punica granatum leaf extract (PGE). The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by various analytical techniques including UV-Vis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectra (FESEM-EDS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). FTIR analysis revealed that the involvement of biological macromolecules of P. granatum leaf extract were distributed and involved in the synthesis and stabilization of AgNPs. A surface-sensitive technique of XPS was used to analyse the composition and oxidation state of synthesized AgNPs. The analytical results confirmed that the AgNPs were crystalline in nature with spherical shape. The zeta potential study revealed that the surface charge of synthesized AgNPs was highly negative (-26.6 mV) and particle size distribution was ranging from ∼35 to 60 nm and the average particle size was about 48 nm determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The PGE-AgNPs antidiabetic potential exhibited effective inhibition against α-amylase and α-glucosidase (IC50; 65.2 and 53.8 µg/mL, respectively). The PGE-AgNPs showed a dose-dependent response against human liver cancer cells (HepG2) (IC50; 70 µg/mL) indicating its greater efficacy in killing cancer cells. They also possessed in vitro free radical-scavenging activity in terms of ABTS (IC50; 52.2 µg/mL) and DPPH (IC50; 67.1 µg/mL) antioxidant activity. PGE-AgNPs displayed strong antibacterial activity and potent synergy with standard antibiotics against pathogenic bacteria. Thus, synthesized PGE-AgNPs show potential biomedical and industrial applications.

Exploiting fruit byproducts for eco-friendly nanosynthesis: Citrus × clementina peel extract mediated fabrication of silver nanoparticles with high efficacy against microbial pathogens and rat glial tumor C6 cells.

Process byproducts from the fruit industry may represent a cheap and reliable source of green reducing agents to be used in current bio-nanosynthesis. This study reports the use of orange (Citrus × clementina) peel aqueous extract (OPE) for one-pot green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with high effectiveness against various microbial pathogens as well as rat glial tumor C6 cells. The effects of various operational parameters on the synthesis of AgNPs were systematically investigated. The morphology, particle size, and properties of synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that the nanoparticles are mostly spherical in shape and monodispersed, with an average particle size of 15-20 nm. Notably, the OPE-synthesized AgNPs were stable up to 6 months without change in their properties. Low doses of OPE-AgNPs inhibited the growth of human pathogens Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of AgNPs against selected pathogenic bacteria were determined. OPE-AgNPs exhibited strong antioxidant activity in terms of ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) radical scavenging (IC50 49.6 µg/mL) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging (IC50 63.4 µg/mL). OPE-AgNPs showed dose-dependent response against rat glial tumor C6 cells (LD50 60 µg/mL) showing a promising potential as anticancer agents. Overall, the current investigation highlighted a cheap green technology route to synthesize AgNPs using OPE byproducts and could potentially be utilized in biomedical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industry.

Bio-fabrication of silver nanoparticles using the leaf extract of an ancient herbal medicine, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), evaluation of their antioxidant, anticancer potential, and antimicrobial activity against phytopathogens.

In recent years, the use of nanoparticle-based antimicrobials has been increased due to many advantages over conventional agrochemicals. This study investigates the utilization of common medicinal plant dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (TOL-AgNPs). AgNPs were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against two important phytopathogens, Xanthomonas axonopodis and Pseudomonas syringae. The morphology, size, and structure of TOL-AgNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) showed the presence of phytochemicals involved during synthesis of NPs. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis shed light on the size of monodispersed spherical AgNPs ranging between 5 and 30 nm, with an average particle size of about 15 nm. The TOL-AgNPs (at 20 µg/mL concentration) showed significant antibacterial activity with significant growth inhibition of phytopathogens X. axonopodis (22.0 ± 0.84 mm) and P. syringae (19.5 ± 0.66 mm). The synthesized AgNPs had higher antibacterial activity in comparison with commercial AgNPs. Synergistic assays with standard antibiotics revealed that nanoformulations with tetracycline showed better broad-spectrum efficiency to control phytopathogens. They also possessed significant antioxidant potential in terms of ABTS (IC50 = 45.6 µg/mL), DPPH (IC50 = 56.1 µg/mL), and NO (IC50 = 55.2 µg/mL) free radical scavenging activity. The TOL-AgNPs showed high cytotoxic effect against human liver cancer cells (HepG2). Overall, dandelion-mediated AgNPs synthesis can represent a novel approach to develop effective antimicrobial and anticancer drugs with a cheap and eco-friendly nature.

Application of Individualized Rehabilitation Nursing Combined with Music Therapy in Severe Pneumonia Complicated with Multiple Organ Failure:One Case Report / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To summarize the effect of individualized rehabilitation nursing combined with music therapy on one patient with severe pneumonia complicated with multiple organ failure. Methods Based on the comprehensive evaluation of patients,the rehabilitation programs including critical care,person-alized rehabilitation care and personalized music therapy were established,and the corresponding nursing mea-sures and muscle training were implemented. Results After careful nursing, music therapy and muscle training for seven days, the score of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Scoring System (APACHE II) decreased from 28 to 14; the upper limb muscle strength increased;the score of Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)decreased from 71 to 52;the score of Fugl-Mey-er Assessment(FMA)increased from 38 to 80;and modified Barthel index increased from 0 to 55. Conclusion Personalized rehabilitation care could effectively promote the recovery,and increase the activities of daily living of patients with severe pneumonia complicated with multiple organ failure.

Preparation of a capsaicin-loaded nanoemulsion for improving skin penetration.

Capsaicin o/w nanoemulsions with enhanced skin permeation were successfully prepared by controlling the ratios of the surfactant mixtures, oleoresin capsicum as the oil phase, and aqueous phase. Oleoresin capsicum contains 22.67 mg/g of capsaicin, which is an active and oil-soluble ingredient. Nonionic surfactants, Tween 80 and Span 80, were used to optimize the weight ratio of surfactant mixtures (85.98:14.02) by calculating the hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) value. The optimal processing conditions for stable nanoemulsions were investigated by using a ternary phase diagram. The mean droplet size of nanoemulsions ranged from 20 to 62 nm. Skin permeation studies were performed using a Franz diffusion cell. The permeation profiles and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images supported that capsaicin nanoemulsion could well permeate all skin layers from the stratum corneum to the dermis. The selected nanoemulsions showed great potential as transdermal delivery carriers for enhancing the permeation of core materials.

Reactive oxygen species-mediated activation of the Akt/ASK1/p38 signaling cascade and p21(Cip1) downregulation are required for shikonin-induced apoptosis.

Shikonin derivatives exert powerful cytotoxic effects, induce apoptosis and escape multidrug resistance in cancer. However, the diverse mechanisms underlying their anticancer activities are not completely understood. Here, we demonstrated that shikonin-induced apoptosis is caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated activation of Akt/ASK1/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and downregulation of p21(Cip1). In the presence of shikonin, inactivation of Akt caused apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) dephosphorylation at Ser83, which is associated with ASK1 activation. Shikonin-induced apoptosis was enhanced by inhibition of Akt, whereas overexpression of constitutively active Akt prevented apoptosis through modulating ASK1 phosphorylation. Silencing ASK1 and MKK3/6 by siRNA reduced the activation of MAPK kinases (MKK) 3/6 and p38 MAPK, and apoptosis, respectively. Antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine attenuated ASK1 dephosphorylation and p38 MAPK activation, indicating that shikonin-induced ROS is involved in the activation of Akt/ASK1/p38 pathway. Expression of p21(Cip1) was significantly induced in early response, but gradually decreased by prolonged exposure to shikonin. Overexpression of p21(Cip1) have kept cells longer in G1 phase and attenuated shikonin-induced apoptosis. Depletion of p21(Cip1) facilitated shikonin-induced apoptosis, implying that p21(Cip1) delayed shikonin-induced apoptosis via G1 arrest. Immunohistochemistry and in vitro binding assays showed transiently altered localization of p21(Cip1) to the cytoplasm by shikonin, which was blocked by Akt inhibition. The cytoplasmic p21(Cip1) actually binds to and inhibits the activity of ASK1, regulating the cell cycle progression at G1. These findings suggest that shikonin-induced ROS activated ASK1 by decreasing Ser83 phosphorylation and by dissociation of the negative regulator p21(Cip1), leading to p38 MAPK activation, and finally, promoting apoptosis.

A facile one-pot preparation of organoselanyltrifluoroborates from dihalobenzenes and their cross-coupling reaction.

Potassium organoselanyltrifluoroborates have been prepared from the corresponding dihalobenzene compounds in 56-92% yields through a facile one-pot, multicomponent reaction. The microwave-promoted Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of these substrates with various aryl and alkenyl bromides in the presence of 3.0 mol % of Pd(PPh(3))(4) and 3.0 equiv of K(2)CO(3) in aqueous 1,4-dioxane at 130 degrees C provided the desired compounds in 54-91% yields.

Modified Simple Excision for Epicanthal Folds

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of modified simple excision for epicanthal folds. METHODS: Eight patients with the epicanthal folds were treated using a modified simple excision method from June to December 2005. After medial traction of the epicanthal fold to expose the medial canthus, parabola-shaped marking was done near mucocutaneous junction. Under local anesthesia, incision of skin, dissection of subcutaneous tissue and excision of subcutaneous fibrous tissue and orbicularis oculi muscle were done. After marking the medial canthus on the skin, a wedge-shaped excision of the extra skin was done. Fixation sutures to the medial canthal tendon and skin sutures were then performed. RESULTS: Eight participants were evaluated (four males and four females) with a mean age of 16.71+/-8.34 years. The mean follow-up period was 42.86+/-5.80 days. After the operation, the skin scar was not visible due to its deep position, and no complication, such as damage to the lacrimal canaliculus or sac, was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Modified simple excision for epicanthal folds is an effective method that does not leave a visible scar.

Lens Particle Glaucoma with Intraocular Foreign Body

PURPOSE: To report a case of acute lens particle glaucoma with an intraocular foreign body that persisted for a long duration. CASE SUMMARY: A 47-year-old man visited our clinic due to severe pain in his right eye. His uncorrected visual acuity was hand movement, and intraocular pressure (IOP) measured by a Goldmann applanation tonometer was 76 mmHg in the right eye. Severe corneal edema and floating lens materials in the anterior chamber were revealed by slit-lamp examination. An ultrasonography scan showed that the lens had dislocated into the vitreous cavity and revealed vitreous opacities. To remove lens materials and control IOP, anterior chamber irrigation and trans pars plana vitrectomy with lensectomy were performed under local anesthesia. During the operation, an intraocular foreign body was removed from the anterior chamber. Dislocated lens particles were removed by vitrectomy. After the operation, his best corrected visual acuity was 1.0, and intraocular pressure was 12 mmHg in the right eye. CONCLUSIONS: Close observation is needed in cases with lens particle glaucoma, because a long-persisting intraocular foreign body can be accompanied by lens particle glaucoma.

Effects of Cauterization with Suturing in Treatment of Conjunctivochalasis: 4 Cases

PURPOSE: We performed cauterization and suturing without resection and evaluated the technique's efficacy in the treatment of conjunctivochalasis. METHODS: Four eyes of three patients diagnosed with conjunctivochalasis were treated with cauterization and suturing. After opening the eyelids, the loosened bulbar conjunctiva was pulled down tensely. After local anesthesia near the inferior fornix (about 8 mm below the limbus), the bulbar conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule were gripped together by bipolar cautery (UM 150A). The cauterization was performed in one second. Still gripped by the bipolar cautery, the bulbar conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule were fixed to the sclera with Vicryl 6-0. Identical procedures were performed on two other sites along the inferior fornix. The suture stitch were removed 10 days after the surgical procedure. RESULTS The objects were 4 eyes of 3 patients (1 male, 2 females with an average age of 63 years). The mean follow-up period was 4 months. There were no recurrences or any postoperative complications caused by cauterization. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully treated conjunctivochalasis with a simple procedure of conjunctival fixation to the sclera through cauterization and suturing.

Effects of Cauterization with Suturing in Treatment of Conjunctivochalasis: 4 Cases

PURPOSE: We performed cauterization and suturing without resection and evaluated the technique's efficacy in the treatment of conjunctivochalasis. METHODS: Four eyes of three patients diagnosed with conjunctivochalasis were treated with cauterization and suturing. After opening the eyelids, the loosened bulbar conjunctiva was pulled down tensely. After local anesthesia near the inferior fornix (about 8 mm below the limbus), the bulbar conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule were gripped together by bipolar cautery (UM 150A). The cauterization was performed in one second. Still gripped by the bipolar cautery, the bulbar conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule were fixed to the sclera with Vicryl 6-0. Identical procedures were performed on two other sites along the inferior fornix. The suture stitch were removed 10 days after the surgical procedure. RESULTS The objects were 4 eyes of 3 patients (1 male, 2 females with an average age of 63 years). The mean follow-up period was 4 months. There were no recurrences or any postoperative complications caused by cauterization. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully treated conjunctivochalasis with a simple procedure of conjunctival fixation to the sclera through cauterization and suturing.

Effect of soil acidification on the growth of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) seedlings in a granite-derived forest soil.

The growth of pine trees has diminished in recent years in industrial areas of Korea. Soil acidification is believed to be responsible. To study its effects, we grew seedlings of three-year-old Korean pine in brown forest soil derived from granite, which had been treated with an acid solution, for 182 days. The anion mol ratio in the solution was SO4(2-):NO3-:Cl-=5:3:2, which is the average in the total precipitation in Korea; six H+ ion concentrations in the soil were studied (0 (control), 10, 30, 60 and 90 mmol H+.kg-1). With increasing amounts of H+ added to the soil, the concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Al and Mn increased, especially below a soil pH of 3.8. The concentrations of Ca, Mg and K in pine needles and stems increased with increasing H+ added to the soil, whereas their concentrations in the root decreased. Conversely, the concentration of N and P in each organ of the pine plant was higher in all treatments than in controls. Also, the concentrations of Al and Mn increased significantly in all organs of the plant with increasing H+. We also estimated the effect of deliberate soil acidification on tree growth, using the molar ratio (Ca+Mg+K)/Al as an indicator of soil acidification. A strong positive correlation was found between the total dry mass (TDM) of seedlings and the (Ca+Mg+K)/Al molar ratio calculated from the concentrations of water-soluble elements in soil (r=0.99, p<0.001). When the (Ca+Mg+K)/Al molar ratio reached 1.0, the relative TDM had fallen to 40%. These results show that deliberate soil acidification reduces the growth of the Korean pine less than it does the Red pine, which has been the dominant species in Korea.

Analysis of transcripts in methyl jasmonate-treated ginseng hairy roots to identify genes involved in the biosynthesis of ginsenosides and other secondary metabolites.

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment increases the levels of plant secondary metabolites, including ginsenosides, which are considered to be the main active compounds in ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer). To create a ginseng gene resource that contains the genes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including ginsenosides, we generated 3,134 expression sequence tags (ESTs) from MeJA-treated ginseng hairy roots. These ESTs assembled into 370 clusters and 1,680 singletons. Genes yielding highly abundant transcripts were those encoding proteins involved in fatty acid desaturation, the defense response, and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Analysis of the latter group revealed a number of genes that may be involved in the biosynthesis of ginsenosides, namely, oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC), cytochrome P450, and glycosyltransferase. A novel OSC gene was also identified by this analysis. RNA gel blot analysis confirmed that transcription of this OSC gene, along with squalene synthase (SS) and squalene epoxidase (SE) gene transcription, is increased by MeJA treatment. This ginseng EST data set will also provide important information on the genes that are involved in the biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites and the genes that are responsive to MeJA treatment.

Management of Prolapsed Silicone Tube Inserted for Treatment of Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PURPOSE: To introduce a new surgical management for the prolapsed silicone tube into the ocular surface which was inserted for treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS: Five eyes of 179 eyes treated with silicone tube intubation for nasolacrimal duct obstruction from May to December 2003 had a prolapsed silicone tube during the follow-up period. After local anesthesia, a Ritleng probe was inserted into the nasolacrimal duct. A polypropylene thread was passed into the Ritleng probe, and after removal of the probe, the thread was tied to a prolapsed silicone tube near a punctum and was pulled through the nose. The silicone tube was repositioned in the nasolacrimal duct. RESULTS: All the prolapsed silicone tubes were successfully repositioned without any significant complications. CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult to reposition a prolapsed silicone tube after silicone tube intubation for the treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. We introduced an easy and effective method to reposition the prolapsed silicone tube.

Effect of angong niuhuang pill as an adjuvant treatment on moderate or severe neonatal hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of angong niuhuang pill (ANP) as an adjuvant treatment on moderate or severe neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (NHIE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-nine neonates with NHIE in the control group were treated with conventional treatment, and 58 in the treated group were administered orally ANP additionally, and relative indexes were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The improvement of aspects such as recovery of consciousness, muscular tension, and primitive reflex and disappearance of convulsion, in the treated group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ANP as an adjuvant treatment has a definite effect on NHIE, it can promote the recovery of patients, decrease the occurrence of sequelae and with high safety, therefore, is a drug feasible for clinical application.</p>