Effects of Persimmon Tannin-Aloe vera Composite on Cytotoxic Activities, and Radioprotection Against X-rays Irradiated in Human Hepatoma and Hepatic Cells.

A persimmon tannin-Aloe vera composite powder (PT-A) was investigated for its capacity to protect against ionizing radiation. Human hepatic cells (L02 cells) and human hepatoma cells (HepG2 cells) were pretreated with different concentrations of PT-A or the single compounds (PT or Aloe vera) and radiated with X-rays. After radiation and post-incubation for 12 h or 24 h, the cell viability, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were analyzed by Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8), 2',7'-dichlorfluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining, and Hoechst 33258 staining/flow cytometry, respectively. CCK-8 results illustrated that the optimal radiation dose L02 cells was 8 Gy for L02 cells, and the cell activity was 71.72% (IC50 = 412.1 µg/mL) after post-radiation incubation of 12 h. For HepG2 cells, the optimal radiation dose was 8 Gy, and the cell activity was 62.37% (IC50 = 213.0 µg/mL). The cell apoptotic rate was the lowest at a PT-A concentration of 200 µg/mL in L02 cells (4.32%, P < 0.05), and at 100 µg/mL in HepG2 cells (9.80%, P < 0.05). ROS production induced by radiation could be effectively inhibited by 200 µg/mL of PT-A in L02 cells, and by 100 µg/mL of PT-A in HepG2 cells. The PT-A composite has good radioprotective effects on cell vitality and apoptosis of X-rays radiation exposure towards L02 cells and HepG2 cells compared to the persimmon tannin or Aloe vera. Therefore, PT-A composite might be useful as a natural, harmless anti-ionizing radiation agent, and has various clinical application prospects in future.

[Cyst puncture aspiration in 40 cases of abdominal echinococcosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of cyst puncture aspiration in treating abdominal echinococcosis. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed in 40 cases of abdominal echinococcosis with formation of isolated single cyst in close adhesion with the abdominal wall, for which cyst puncture aspiration was carried out under ultrasound guidance. RESULTS: No death occurred in these patients and only 15 developed mild fever. The days for antibiotic use, jaundice resolution, bile secretion, time of extubation and hospital stay were 2.88+/-0.65, 3.50+/-0.71, 4.25+/-0.96, 5.38+/-0.98 and 9.35+/-1.08 days, respectively. Ultrasound examination in the follow-up showed no relapse in these patients, with the time of the residue adhesive cyst closure and calcification of 4.50+/-1.13 and 13.90+/-2.38 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cyst puncture aspiration under ultrasound guidance produces good therapeutic effects on abdominal echinococcosis with isolated single cyst closely adhering to the abdominal wall.

[Intraoperative treatment of cyst contents in abdominal echinococcosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the methods for intraoperative treatment of the cyst contents in patients with abdominal echinococcosis. METHOD: Sixty-nine cases of abdominal echinococcosis were reviewed for intraoperative disposal of the cyst contents using 5% formaldehyde (group A, 33 cases) or 25% NaCl solution (group B, 36 cases), and the effects and incidence of complications were compared. RESULTS: No relapse occurred in 33 cases with 5% formaldehyde treatment of the cyst contents, but postoperative intestinal fistula took place in 8 cases. In 36 cases with 25% NaCl treatment of the cyst contents, relapse occurred in one case postoperatively but no complications were seen in other patients. CONCLUSION: Treatment of the cyst contents with 5% formaldehyde may lead to intestinal fistula, and 25% NaCl solution may give rise to the risk of recurrence, so that both methods need improvement.

Formulation optimization of chelerythrine loaded O-carboxymethylchitosan microspheres using response surface methodology.

The aims of this investigation were to develop a procedure to prepare chelerythrine (CHE) loaded O-carboxymethylchitosan (O-CMCS) microspheres by emulsion cross-linking method and optimize the process and formulation variables using response surface methodology (RSM) with a three-level, three-factor Box-Behnken design (BBD). The independent variables studied were O-CMCS/CHE ratio, O/W phase ratio, and O-CMCS concentration, dependent variables (responses) were drug loading content and encapsulation efficiency. Mathematical equations and response surface plots were used to relate the dependent and independent variables. The process and formulation variables were optimized to achieve maximum drug loading content and entrapment efficiency by the desirability function. The optimized microsphere formulation was characterized for particle size, shape, morphology and in vitro drug release. Results for mean particle size, drug loading content, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release of CHE-loaded O-CMCS microspheres were found to be of 12.18 µm, 4.16 ± 3.36%, 57.40 ± 2.30%, and 54.5% at pH 7.4 after 70 h, respectively. The combination use of RSM, BBD and desirability function could provide a promising application for O-CMCS as controlled drug delivery carrier and help to develop procedures for a lab-scale microemulsion process.

Immobilization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcohol dehydrogenase on hybrid alginate-chitosan beads.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcohol dehydrogenase (SCAD) was effectively immobilized on hybrid alginate-chitosan beads which are hardened with glutaraldehyde. Immobilization conditions and characterization of the immobilized enzyme were investigated. Orthogonal test design and intuitive analysis method were employed to evaluate the effects of immobilization parameters such as Na-alginate concentration, glutaraldehyde concentration, CaCl(2) concentration and immobilization time. Under optimized working conditions (3.0% Na-alginate, 0.5% chitosan, 2.0% CaCl(2), 0.5% glutaraldehyde and 6h), the SCAD activity was 339.25 U/mL. For the reduction of phenylglyoxylic acid, the immobilization process changed the enzyme's optimum temperature from 30 to 40 degrees C, the enzyme's optimum pH from 6.8 to 6.0, and the immobilized SCAD retained 62.76% of its original activity. The maximum reaction rate (V(max)) was 358.63 nmol min(-1) and the Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) was 37.33 mmol L(-1). Compared to the free SCAD, the immobilization of the enzyme showed higher thermal stability and operational stability.

Stabilizing effect of the transferred conjoined tendon on shoulder stability.

The modified Boytchev procedure, i.e., rerouting of the coracoid process with its attached conjoined tendon (short head of biceps and coracobrachialis) deep to the subscapularis and reattachment to its anatomical location, has been advocated for recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability with controversial clinical outcomes. We aimed to investigate the dynamic contribution of the conjoined tendon in situ or transferred to the glenohumeral articulation in stable and unstable shoulders. Eight cadaveric shoulders were tested with the arm in 90 degrees abduction and 90 degrees external rotation. A constant 1.5 kg anterior translation force was applied to the proximal humerus, combined with 0, 1.5, 3.0 kg of load applied to the conjoined tendon sequentially. Anterior displacement of the humeral head relative to the scapula was recorded before and after an imitation Bankart lesion was created, and after treated with the modified Boytchev procedure for the Bankart lesion. Application of load to the conjoined tendon significantly reduced anterior displacement of the humeral head either with the capsule intact or with Bankart lesion simulated. The most significant decrease of the anterior displacement occurred when the conjoined tendon was transferred beneath the subscapularis. Our findings show that the conjoined tendon per se has a stabilizing effect on stable and unstable shoulders and therefore provide scientific support for the treatment of recurrent shoulder instability using the modified Boytchev procedure.