Efficacy, safety, and serum cytokine modulation by olopatadine hydrochloride and desloratadine citrate disodium combination therapy in urticaria.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy, safety, and impact on serum cytokines of olopatadine hydrochloride (OLP) combined with desloratadine citrate disodium (DES) in treating urticaria. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 114 urticaria patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Xinyang Vocational and Technical College from March 2020 to March 2023. The control group (55 patients) received DES, while the research group (59 patients) received OLP+DES combination therapy. We compared efficacy, safety (including epigastric pain, dry mouth, lethargy, dizziness, and fatigue), changes in serum cytokines (interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, and interferon [IFN]-γ), symptom resolution (wheal number, wheal size, and itching degree), and 3-month recurrence rates. A univariate analysis was also conducted to identify factors influencing urticaria recurrence. RESULTS: The research group exhibited a significantly higher overall efficacy rate, lower incidence of adverse events, and reduced recurrence rates at 3 months (all P<0.05) compared to the control group. Post-treatment, the research group showed significant increases in IL-2 and IFN-γ levels and reductions in IL-4 levels, wheal number, wheal size, and itching degree (all P<0.05). Factors such as history of drinking/smoking, IL-2 levels, and treatment method were associated with urticaria recurrence (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of OLP and DES is an effective and safe treatment option for urticaria, significantly improving serum cytokine profiles, alleviating symptoms, and reducing recurrence risk.

Clinical characteristics and removal approaches of tracheal and bronchial foreign bodies in elders.

The symptoms of tracheobronchial foreign body in the elderly are not typical, so they are often missed or misdiagnosed. This study aims to depict the clinical characteristics of tracheobronchial foreign body inhalation in the elderly. We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of elder patients (age ≥ 65 years) diagnosed with tracheal and bronchial foreign bodies. The data included age, sex, clinical symptoms, type and location of foreign bodies, prehospital duration, Chest CT, bronchoscopic findings, and frequencies and tools for removing these elderly patients' tracheal and bronchial foreign bodies. All patients were followed up for a half year. Fifty-nine cases were included, of which only 32.2% had a definite aspiration history. Disease duration > 30 days accounted for 27.1% of the patients. 27.1% of the patients had a history of stroke, and 23.8% had Alzheimer's Disease. Regarding clinical symptoms, patients mainly experience cough and expectoration. The most common CT findings were abnormal density shadow (37.3%) and pulmonary infiltration (22.0%). Under bronchoscopy, purulent secretions were observed in 52.5% of patients, and granulation tissue hyperplasia was observed in 45.8%. Food (55.9%) was the most common foreign object, including seafood shells (5.1%), bones (20.3%), dentures (18.6%), and tablets (20.3%). The success rate of foreign body removal under a bronchoscope was 96.7%, 28.8% of the foreign bodies were on the left and 69.5% on the right. 5.1% of the elderly patients required rigid bronchoscopy, and 6.8% required two bronchoscopies. In elderly cohorts, tracheal foreign bodies are obscured by nonspecific clinical presentations and a paucity of aspiration history, challenging timely diagnosis. Predominantly constituted by food particles, with a notable predilection for the left bronchial tree, these cases demand skilled bronchoscopic management, occasionally requiring sophisticated approaches for successful extraction.

Glucose biosensor based on multi-wall carbon nanotubes and screen printed carbon electrodes.

This paper describes a disposable electrochemical biosensor for glucose monitoring. The sensor was based on multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) immobilized with glucose oxidase and upon screen printed carbon electrode. The effect of MWCNTs on the response of amperometric glucose oxidase electrode for glucose was examined. Results obtained, of interest for basic and applied biochemistry, represent a first step in construction of a MWCNT-enzyme electrode biosensor with potentialities for a successful application in the biosensor area.

[Preparation of thrombus-targeted urokinase liposomes and its thrombolytic effect in model rats].

AIM: To prepare thrombus-targeted urokinase liposomes and observe its improved thrombolytic efficacy on thrombus model rats. METHODS: The ligand H-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-OH (RGDS) which has specific affinity to thrombus was synthesized by liquid phase method and anchored on the surface of liposomes by incorporating its conjugate with DSPE-PEG3,500-COOH into liposomal lipid bilayers, thus thrombus-targeted liposomes were produced. Urokinase (UK) liposomes were prepared at room temperature through method modification using hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine (HSPC); the in vivo thrombolysis of the obtained thrombus-targeted UK liposomes and its comparison with TBS (Tris-HCl buffered solution) control, free UK and UK liposomes were assessed on common carotid artery model rats. RESULTS: The obtained liposomes were characteristic of high UK entrapment efficiency, small mean diameter and good storage stability. At the same dose (60,000 U.kg-1), compared to the wet thrombi weights of TBS control group, those of free UK group and UK liposome group showed no statistical difference, while those of targeted UK liposomes group were significantly decreased (P < 0.001); when evaluated in term of dry thrombi weights the result was slightly different. Compared to UK liposomes of the same dose, the targeted UK liposomes showed significantly improved thrombolytic efficacy (P < 0.01 in wet weights decrease and P < 0.05 in dry weights decrease respectively). CONCLUSION: The targeted UK liposomes displayed good targeted thrombolytic effect.

[Effect of surfactants on the in vitro and in vivo properties of amphotericin B liposome].

AIM: Some surfactants such as DSPE-PEG, Tween 80 and Brij 35 were used to modify the amphotericin B liposome, improve the stability, optimize the tissue distribution and decrease the toxicity of amphotericin B liposome. METHODS: The amphotericin B liposome was prepared by the film-supersound method. The effects of cholesterol and amphotericin B on the encapsulation percentage were studied. The diameter, leakage percentage in phosphate buffer solution(PBS) and calf blood serum, and tissue distributions of amphotericin B liposome in the rat were determined. RESULTS: The top encapsulation percentage of amphotericin B liposome is (91.2 +/- 1.6)%. After modification with DSPE-PEG, Tween 80 and Brij 35, the encapsulation percentages were improved, the average diameters were decreased and the stabilities were improved, the amphotericin B concentrations in the liver, spleen and kidney were decreased, and the amphotericin B concentrations in the brain were increased, especially in the AmB-L-Tween 80 group. CONCLUSION: DSPE-PEG and Brij 35 could decrease the clearing of reticuroendothelial systems(RES) to the amphotericin B liposome and Tween 80 could facilitate the transporting of amphotericin B liposome into the brain.

[Therapeutic efficiency of amphotericin B liposome modified by RMP-7 to transport drug across blood brain barrier].

AIM: To study the therapeutic efficiency of amphotericin B liposome (AmB-L) targeting to the brain in mice with meningitis. METHODS: Amphotericin B liposome targeting to the brain were prepared by film-sonication method. Their concentration and encapsulation percentage were determined. The Candida albicans was injected into the brain of BALB/c mice and the meningitis model was set up. Then the therapeutic efficiency of amphotericin B liposome targeting to the brain was studied. RESULTS: The encapsulation percentage of amphotericin B liposome was 93.3%. The meningitis model was set up after the Candida albicans was injected into the brain of BALB/c mice for 2 h. The therapeutic efficiency was increased after conjugating RMP-7 (the commercial nama is Cereport) to the surface of amphotericin B liposome. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic efficiency of Amphotericin B liposome targeting to the brain in the mice with meningitis was better than that of the common amphotericin B liposome and the life of the mice in AmB-L-PEG-RMP-7 group was longer than that of the mice in AmB-L-PEG group and AmB-L-PEG + RMP-7 group.

[Effect of RMP-7 and its derivatives on the transportation of liposome into the brain].

AIM: To study the action of RMP-7 and its derivative on transporting liposome across the blood brain barrier (BBB) into the brain. METHODS: RMP-7 and DSPE-PEG-NHS [[1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-n-[poly (ethylene-glycol)]-hydroxy succinamide]] were conjugated together in mild condition and MALDI-TOF-MS (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry) was used to determine their molecular ratio. An in vitro BBB model was established and used to determine in vitro bioactivity of RMP-7 and its derivative. The fluorescence of brain slices and the Evens Blue (EB) concentration in the brain, liver, spleen, lung and kidney of each group were used to evaluate the in vivo bioactivity of RMP-7 and its derivative on transporting liposome across the BBB. RESULTS: The average molecular weight (MW) of the reaction product was 4,900, while those of DSPE-PEG-NHS and RMP-7 were 3,224 and 1,098. The results demonstrated that RMP-7 was conjugated to DSPE-PEG-NHS at the molecular ratio of 1:1, so the product was DSPE-PEG-RMP-7. RMP-7 and DSPE-PEG-RMP-7 was shown to improve the transporting of peralcohol enzyme across the in vitro BBB model 2-3 times higher than the peralcohol enzyme only. DSPE-PEG-RMP-7 could facilitate the transporting of EB into brain more easily than RMP-7. CONCLUSION: Both RMP-7 and DSPE-PEG-RMP-7 could facilitate the transporting of liposome across the BBB, especially DSPE-PEG-RMP-7.

[Study on nerve growth factor liposomes on crossing blood-brain barrier in vitro and in vivo].

AIM: To study the permeability of nerve growth factor (NGF) liposomes (NGF-L, NGF-SSL, NGF-SSL-T) on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) model and the distribution in vivo, and analyze the correlation between the results in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: The BBB model in vitro was established by using mouse brain microvascullar endothelial cell, and the model was applied to study the permeability of NGF liposomes. The distribution of NGF of each group was studied by 125I labeled and SDS-PAGE method. RESULTS: The highest encapsulation proportion was 34%, and the mean size of NGF liposomes was below 100 nm. The permeability of NGF liposomes on in vitro BBB model showed that the liposome could promote NGF to transport across the BBB, the permeability of NGF-SSL-T was the highest. The distribution in the brain showed in an order of NGF concentration NGF-SSL-T > NGF-SSL + RMP-7 > NGF-SSL > NGF-L. There was a close relationship between P(e) (permeability coefficient on in vitro BBB model) and BUI (brain uptake constant in vivo). CONCLUSION: Liposomes can promote NGF to transport across the BBB, and the transporting ability BBB of NGF-SSL-T which RMP-7 incorporated into the surface of NGF liposomes is the best.

[Selection of the type in revision total hip replacement for failed hip arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the selection of the type of prosthesis in revision hip arthroplasty. METHODS: There were 33 hips in our study, male in 7 hips and female in 26 hips. The average age of the patients were 59 years. The reasons of the revision included aseptic loosing in 22 hips, infection in 8 hips (2 infection hips with discharging sinuses), and acetabular erosion in 3 hips. The operations for revision were 13 cemented and 12 cementless acetabular prosthesis with autograft in morselized form; the femoral revision were all selected in cemented prosthesis. The revision for infection hip were all cemented prosthesis of extensively porouse-coated. RESULTS: The average follow-up duartion was 3.9 years and 11 months. There was a radiolucency but no clinical instability accompanied in 2 hips and remaining moderate pain in 4 hips. No dislocation and fracture were seen in the series. Harris score were improved to 82.4 (68-88). CONCLUSION: The commonest reason of revision hip arthroplasty was aseptic loosing. The acetabular prosthesis in revision could select cemented or cementless components and femoral prosthesis could select extensively coated stem. The cemented components could yield good results in infection hips revision.

[Effects of veratryl alcohol and tween 80 on ligninase production and its roles in decolorization of azo dyes by white-rot basidiomycete PM2].

Basidiomycete PM2, a lignin-degrading white rot fungus, produces lgnin peroxidase (Lip) and manganese peroxidase (Mnp) in nutrient nitrogen limited liquid cultures. This fungus was selected for its ability to decolorize azo group of dyes. In order to improve production of the peroxidases and rapid dye decolorizing activity by basidiomycete PM2, the addition of veratryl alcohol or Tween 80 to nutrient nitrogen limited liquid cultures were tested. It was found to have a large stimulatory effect on Mnp activities and decolorization rate of azo dyes. A maximum Mnp activities of 254.2 u/L with veratryl alcohol and 192.2 u/L with Tween 80 were achieved respectively. These values were about 3.4-fold and 2.5-fold higher than that obtained in the control cultures (without alcohol or Tween 80), whereas the levels of Lip activity detected were very low (about 12 u/L)in all the cultures. In further experiments using three kinds of azo dyes of congo red, orange G and orange IV, enzyme activities and dye decolorization were investigated in the above-mentioned cultures. The results showed that Mnp activities and decolorization were notably higher than those obtained in the control cultures in the presence of azo dyes. Cultures supplemented with Tween 80 were more adequate for dye decolorization. The rates of the decolorization with Tween 80 of congo red (95.4%), orange G (98.5%) and orange IV (54.4%) after 24 hours of dye incubation were higher than that supplemented with veratryl alcohol. According to the results, Mnp activities secreted by basidiomycete PM2 play an essential role in the process of dye decolorization. Tween 80 was the main factor affecting the decolorization. The analysis of structure of the three kinds of azo dyes indicats that the extent of decolorization is affected by the dye molecular structure. The types and quantity of the substituted groups on the aromatic ring of azo dyes have effect on the percentage of biological decolorization.