[Bibliometric analysis on key elements of clinical application of acupoint catgut embedding therapy in recent ten years].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of acupoint catgut embedding methods, tools, catgut types, and the treatment cycles in the clinical research in recent ten years both at home and abroad, so as to summarize its regularities and to provide technical references for further studies. METHODS: Articles about clinical researches on catgut embedding therapy published in recent ten years (from January 1, 2010 to December 31,2020) were retrieved from the databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and PubMed by using key words of "acupoint embedding" "acupoint catgut embedding" and "catgut implantation at acupoint". According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a new database was established for analyzing the data mentioned above. RESULTS: 1) A total of 1 196 articles were collected, including 15 English articles and 1 181 Chinese articles, presenting a fluctuating increasing trend in recent ten years. 2) The commonly used acupoint embedding methods included disposable catgut embedment needle method (399 times, 38.89%) and disposable syringe needle catgut embedding method (347 times, 33.82%), for which two or multiple methods were mentioned in the same one article. 3) The most frequently used top two tools for catgut embedding were the dispo-sable catgut embedment needle (463 times, 43.03%) and disposable syringe needle (406 times,37.73%), with a significant increase in the application of disposable syringe needle. The most commonly used size of tools included No. 7 (283 times, 39.86%), No. 9 (196 times, 27.61%) and No. 8 (109 times, 15.35%). 4) The most frequently implanted surgical suture was still the common catgut (671 times, 58.15%) despite of a reduction in clinical application year by year, and the types of the implanted suture materials were gradually enriched since 2018, such as the absorbable surgical suture, polyethylprolactide(PGLA), collagen protein thread, polydioxanone(PPDO), etc. The commonly used implanted catgut size was 3-0 (227 times, 30.15%), 2-0 (176 times, 23.37%), 4-0 (131 times, 17.40%), 0 (103 times, 13.68%), with the commonly used catgut length being 1 cm (332 times, 35.55%), 1.5 cm (103 times, 11.03%), 1-2 cm (92 times, 9.85%) and 2 cm (92 times, 9.85%). 5) The intervals of the catgut implantation were 7 days (313 times, 28.95%), 14 days (262 times, 24.24%), 10 days (174 times, 16.10%), and 15 days (162 times, 14.99%). CONCLUSION: In recent ten years, clinical research on acupoint catgut embedding is growing rapidly, and the embedding methods, tools, implanted sutures, and embedding intervals are various, which may provide certain technical references for the future researches and suggest an urgent need of formulation of the standardized and unified standards in this field.

Polymeric Lipid Hybrid Nanoparticles as a Delivery System Enhance the Antitumor Effect of Emodin in Vitro and in Vivo.

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Emodin-loaded polymer lipid hybrid nanoparticles (E-PLNs) for breast cancer. The size, Zeta potential, surface morphology, encapsulation efficiency, stability, in vitro drug release of E-PLNs prepared by the nanoprecipitation method were characterized. The uptake, in-vitro cytotoxicities and apoptosis of free drug, E-PLNs were investigated against MCF-7 cells. The efficacy of E-PLNs in tumor bearing nude mice has also been studied.The average particle size of the experimentally prepared E-PLNs was (122.7±1.79) nm, and the encapsulation rate was 72.8%. Compared with free Emodin (EMO), E-PLNs showed greater toxicity to MCF-7 cells by promoting the uptake of EMO, and can promote the early apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. In addition to the morphological changes of apoptotic cells, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was significantly increased, which indicated that E-PLNs can induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells to achieve anticancer effect. Finally, E-PLNs significantly inhibited tumor growth by more than 60%, which may be related to its passive targeting effect on tumor site. Our results suggest that E-PLNs have shown good anti-breast cancer effect than free EMO. Moreover, the effect of E-PLNs on MCF-7 cells is mainly related to the induction of apoptosis.

Ultrafast fluorescent probe with near-infrared analytical wavelength for fluoride ion detection in real samples.

The first ultrafast fluorescence probe with response time in seconds (10 s) for fluoride ions (F-) has been proposed by conjugating dimethylthiophosphoryl group as a recognition unit with the near-infrared fluorophore of hemicyanine. The response mechanism is the F--induced cleavage of the dimethylthiophosphoryl group, along with the liberation of the fluorophore, which results in a distinctly enhanced fluorescence intensity at 730 nm (λex = 680 nm). The fluorescence enhancement of the probe is directly proportional to the F- concentration in the range of 10-300 µM with the detection limit of 4.28 µM. The probe has been successfully used to determine F- concentration in real water and toothpaste samples as well as image F- in living cells. The simplicity and quick response of this probe endow it with the ability of detecting F- rapidly in real samples.

Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin Using Transferrin-Conjugated Carbon Dots for Cancer Therapy.

A transferrin receptor (TfR)-targeted nanodrug [green fluorescence emission carbon dot (GCD)-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-transferrin (Tf)@doxorubicin (Dox)] for cancer therapy was developed by functionalizing GCDs with PEG, Tf, and Dox. GCDs were synthesized by the one-step hydrothermal method, followed by conjugating PEG and Tf by covalent bonds and loading Dox by electrostatic interactions. The nanodrug exhibits high stability under neutral conditions and effectively releases Dox at pH of 5.5. GCD-PEG-Tf@Dox can be selectively internalized by TfR-overexpressed tumor cells (MCF-7 and K150) via receptor-mediated endocytosis and further release Dox to the nuclei. As a result, GCD-PEG-Tf@Dox exhibits significant lethality to tumor cells (MCF-7 and K150) but greatly reduced toxicity to normal cells [Chinese hamster ovary cell line (CHO)] compared with free Dox. In vivo studies have confirmed that GCD-PEG-Tf@Dox can effectively inhibit tumor proliferation with negligible side effects.

Development and Characterization of Olanzapine Loaded Poly(lactide-coglycolide) Microspheres for Depot Injection: In vitro and In vivo Release Profiles.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a new PLGA based microsphere formulation aimed to release the olanzapine for the period of one month which will result in increased compliance. METHODS: Microspheres loaded with olanzapine were prepared using oil in water emulsion and solvent evaporation technique. The microspheres were characterized by surface morphology, shape, size, bulk density, encapsulation efficiency, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. In vitro release studies were performed in phosphate buffer at 37°C and in vivo studies were conducted on male Sprague- Dawley rats. RESULTS: The morphological results indicated that microspheres produced were having a smooth surface, spherical shape and the size in the range from 9.71 to 19.90 µm mean diameter. Encapsulation efficiency of olanzapine loaded microspheres was in the range of 78.53 to 96.12% and was affected by changing the ratio of lactic to glycolic acid in copolymer PLGA. The properties of PLGA and other formulation parameters had a significant impact on in vitro and in vivo release of drug from microspheres. In vitro release kinetics revealed that release of drug from microspheres is by both non-Fickian diffusion and erosion of PLGA polymer. In vivo data indicated an initial burst release and then sustained release depending on properties of PLGA, microsphere size, and bulk density. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that microsphere formulations developed with PLGA (75:25) and PLGA (85:15) have provided a sufficient steady release of drug for at least 30 days and can be potential candidates for 30-day depot injection drug delivery of olanzapine.

A novel fluorescent off-on probe for the sensitive and selective detection of fluoride ions.

A highly sensitive and selective fluorescent probe for fluoride ions has been developed by incorporating the dimethylphosphinothionyl group as a recognition moiety into the fluorophore of coumarin. The detection mechanism is based on the fluoride ion-triggered cleavage of the dimethylphosphinothionyl group, followed by the release of coumarin, which leads to a large fluorescence enhancement at 455 nm (λ ex = 385 nm). Under the optimized conditions, the fluorescence enhancement of the probe is directly proportional to the concentration of fluoride ions in the range of 0-30 µM with a detection limit of 0.29 µM, which is much lower than the maximum content of fluoride ions guided by WHO. Notably, satisfying results have been obtained by utilizing the probe to determine fluoride ions in real-water samples and commercially available toothpaste samples. The proposed probe is rather simple and may be useful in the detection of fluoride ions in more real samples.

[Osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with the use of bisphosphonates in multiple myeloma: report of four cases and literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical features of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients treated with bisphosphonate. METHODS: The clinical data of 4 patients with bisphosphonate-related (ONJ) in MM were reported and literatures were reviewed. RESULTS: In these patients, 3 males and 1 female, aged 59-73, pamidronate combined with chemotherapy, high dose glucocorticosteroid, and anti-angiogenic drug had been used for 12-44 months before the occurrence of ONJ. In treatment of ONJ conservative debridement of necrotic bone, systematic use of antibiotics, use of chlorhexidine acetate gargle, and withdrawal of bisphosphonates were preferable to aggressive surgical measures. CONCLUSION: Long-term use of bisphosphonates combined with chemotherapy in MM may cause ONJ that involves both mandible and maxilla. No satisfactory therapy is currently available.

Inkjet print microchannels based on a liquid template.

A simple method to fabricate microchannels is demonstrated based on an inkjet printing liquid template. The morphology of the liquid template can be well controlled by using ink with viscosity sensitive to temperature. The as-prepared Y-shape microchannel is used as a microfluidic reactor for an acylation fluorigenic reaction in a matrix of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Arbitrary modification of the microchannels could be easily realized synchronously with the formation of the microchannels. By grafting polyethylene glycol (PEG) onto the internal surface, an anti-biosorption microchannel is obtained. The facile method will be significant for the fabrication of a microfluidic chip with functional modifications.