[Effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from different sources on glucolipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic patients with dyslipidemia].

Objective: To determine the effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from different sources on glucolipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic patients with dyslipidemia. Methods: We recruited participants from the diabetes specialist clinic at the Guanlin hospital in Yixing city, Jiangsu Province from February 2017 to March 2017. A total of 180 subjects were randomly assigned to 3 g/day fish oil (FO), perilla oil (PO), or fish oil mixed with linseed oil (FLO) for 6 months. The basic conditions and fasting venous blood sample were obtained from each study subject at baseline, after 6 months of intervention. Serum glucose and lipid metabolism were investigated. Results: A total of 156 subjects aged (62.6±8.6) years completed the final follow-up after 6 months (FO,54 subjects; PO,52 subjects; FLO,50 subjects). Among them,59 patients (37.8%) were male. Serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin, C peptide, insulin and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance were not significantly different among the three groups after 6 months. Serum triglyceride decreased, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in FO [1.33 (1.05,1.93) mmol/L, (1.36±0.29) mmol/L, respectively] compared with PO [1.71 (1.23, 2.17) mmol/L, (1.23±0.22) mmol/L, respectively] and FLO [1.51 (1.12, 2.22) mmol/L, (1.29±0.30) mmol/L, respectively] (P<0.05). Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B decreased in PO [(2.60±0.57) mmol/L,(0.96±0.23) g/L, respectively] compared with FO [(2.89±0.76) mmol/L, (1.07±0.30) g/L, respectively] (P<0.05). Serum lipoprotein(a) decreased in FLO [130.7 (63.3,270.6) mg/L] compared with FO [137.4 (58.7,333.2) mg/L] (P<0.05). Serum free fatty acid decreased in FLO [(0.43±0.15) mmol/L] compared with PO [(0.53±0.22) mmol/L] (P<0.05). Conclusion: The effects of ω-3 PUFA from different sources on glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic patients with dyslipidemia are similar. Each of them has a good application prospect in improving lipid metabolism.

Structure Evolution and Multiferroic Properties in Cobalt Doped Bi4NdTi3Fe1-xCoxO15-Bi3NdTi2Fe1-xCoxO12-δ Intergrowth Aurivillius Compounds.

Here, we report the structure evolution, magnetic and ferroelectric properties in Co-doped 4- and 3-layered intergrowth Aurivillius compounds Bi4NdTi3Fe1-xCoxO15-Bi3NdTi2Fe1-xCoxO12-δ. The compounds suffer a structure evolution from the parent 4-layered phase (Bi4NdTi3FeO15) to 3-layered phase (Bi3NdTi2CoO12-δ) with increasing cobalt doping level from 0 to 1. Meanwhile the remanent magnetization and polarization show opposite variation tendencies against the doping level, and the sample with x = 0.3 has the largest remanent magnetization and the smallest polarization. It is believed that the Co concentration dependent magnetic properties are related to the population of the Fe3+ -O-Co3+ bonds, while the suppressed ferroelectric polarization is due to the enhanced leakage current caused by the increasing Co concentration. Furthermore, the samples (x = 0.1-0.7) with ferromagnetism show magnetoelectric coupling effects at room temperature. The results indicate that it is an effective method to create new multiferroic materials through modifying natural superlattices.

Benign mixed tumor of the vagina.

Mixed tumor of the vagina is a rare benign tumor containing both epithelial and mesenchymal components. The authors report the case of a 35-year-old woman who presented with a painless mass that had descended from the vagina in the last six months. Physical examination showed the presence of a solitary, non-tender nodule that was 3x3x2 cm in size and seemed to originate from the posterior wall of the lower vagina. The tumor was removed and pathologically examined. The findings were indicative of a mixed tumor of the vagina, and were in agreement with previous cases. No recurrence or progression occurred during the ten-month follow-up. As this tumor shares common features with some other tumors, its differential diagnosis is very important. Moreover, due to the rarity of this disease, gynecologists and pathologists need to familiarize themselves with the features in order to avoid a misdiagnosis.

Human kallikrein 5 as a novel prognostic biomarker for triple-negative breast cancer: tissue expression analysis and relationship with disease course.

The purposes of this study were to analyze the expression and distribution of human kallikrein 5 (hK5) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tissues, to establish a standard operating procedure (SOP) for its immunohistochemical assay, and to evaluate the possibility of hK5 being a prognostic biomarker for TNBC. Recombinant hK5 protein and specific antibody were prepared, and the expression and distribution of hK5 in TNBC tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry. An SOP for immunohistochemical staining of hK5 in TNBC tissues was established to allow automatic staining under optimized conditions. The resulting images were digitized for evaluation and statistical analysis via a human scoring system. Our results showed that expression of hK5 protein could predict the progression of TNBC. Pearson's chi-square test results showed that high hK5 expression in tumor stromal cells was significantly correlated with distal metastasis (P = 0.039). A high staining score for lymphocyte infiltration in tumor stroma was significantly correlated with low histological grade of tumor (P = 0.025). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses verified that the staining score for hK5 in tumor stromal cells may be a biomarker for poor prognosis in TNBC patients (univariate HR = 2.289, 95%CI = 1.362-3.848, P = 0.002; multivariate HR = 2.105, 95%CI = 1.189-3.727, P = 0.011). In conclusion, the expression level of hK5 in tumor stromal cells is a promising biomarker for poor prognosis in TNBC. Patients with high histological grade are more prone to distal metastasis and aggressive tumor progression.

Burkitt's lymphoma presenting with jaw lesions.

We report an unusual case of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) presenting with jaw lesions in a 14-year-old Chinese boy. The patient presented initially with mobile teeth in all 4 jaw quadrants, with corresponding radiographic detection of alveolar bone crest destruction and periapical bone resorption in the absence of clinically detectable jaw tumors. Moreover, radiographs taken only 17 days later showed clearly distinguishable signs of more extensive alveolar bone destruction compared with the initial radiographs.

[Studies on the metabolites of tetramethylpyrazine in rabbits].

The metabolites of tetramethylpyrazine (TMPz) in rabbit have been separated by HPLC and solvent extraction. Their structures were identified by means of UV, IR, MS and NMR spectroscopy. The possible metabolic ways of TMPz are oxidzation of one of the four methyl groups to hydroxymethyl and carboxyl group forming 2-hydroxymethyl-3, 5, 6-trimethylpyrazine (TMPz D1) and 3, 5, 6-trimethylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (TMPz D2). These were further confirmed by the identity of HPLC data and all the above spectral parameters of the metabolites in vivo and the compounds objectively synthesized from TMPz.

[Study on metabolite of 5-ethyl-5-(para-fluorobenzoylpropyl) barbituric acid in rabbits].

The metabolite of 5-ethyl-5-(p-fluorobenzoylpropyl) barbituric acid (coded as F-B-1) in rabbit has been separated with HPLC. UV-spectra of F-B-1 and its metabolite obtained with DAD, in combination with EI-MS and CI-MS of F-B-1, its metabolite and their derivatives were examined. Possible structure of the metabolite was obtained. Possible metabolic way of F-B-1 is the reduction of carbonyl on the benzene ring with formation of hydroxyl group. This was further confirmed by identity of HPLC and MS behavior of the metabolite and NaBH4 reductive product. In the structure of the latter, the carbonyl on the benzene ring was reduced, as proved by NMR (1H-NMR and 13C-NMR) spectra.

[Gas chromatographic method with EC detection to determine isosorbide-5-mononitrate (IS-5-MN) in human serum and its pharmacokinetic parameters].

A simple, sensitive and precise capillary GC-ECD method was developed for the determination of isosorbide-5-mononitrate in human serum. Pharmacokinetic parameters of the drug was obtained from the human serum level-time curve measured. Serum samples were extracted with a mixture of ethyl ether-ethyl acetate (4:1), the upper phase was collected and evaporated to about 100 microliters under a gentle nitrogen stream. Isosorbide dinitrate was used as internal standard. With a human serum sample size of 200 microliters, the detection limit of IS-5-MN was found to be about 5 ng/ml, and the absolute recovery from 74% to 85%. The within-day and between-day relative standard deviation were less than 7% and 9%, respectively. This method was applied to the pharmacokinetic studies of IS-5-MN tablets from two different sources. Two sets of t1/2 (Ke), Tmax and AUC values obtained from 8 volunteers were tested statistically and no significant difference was found.

[Determination of acyclovir in human plasma by RP-HPLC].

A RP-HPLC method was developed for the determination of acyclovir (ACV) in human plasma. ACV was extracted from plasma using ODS, obtained from Sep-Pak C18 cartridge (Waters associates) and reinstalled in a self-made glass tube suitable for extraction of solutes from small volume plasma samples. After extraction, and rinsing the ODS extract with water to remove hydrophilic impurities, ACV was recovered with methanol and chromatographed on YWG C18H37 column, and detected at 254 nm. The mobile phase was 5.0% (v/v) methanol/water. The average recovery of ACV was 73.5%; the minimum detection concentration of ACV in plasma was 20 ng/ml with a plasma volume of 0.2 ml and S/N value of 2. A good linear relationship between the peak area ratios and ACV concentrations was found at the ACV concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 microgram/ml, CACV = 0.840 AACV/Ais + 0.002, r = 0.9969.

Gas chromatographic analysis of norcantharidin and related compounds using derivatization to imides.

Derivatization to imides has been studied for determining alpha,beta-diacids or corresponding anhydrides (e.g. norcantharidin) as well as for analysing primary amines by gas chromatography. 2-Naphthylaniline, n-heptylamine, cyclohexamine, 2,5-dimethoxyaniline, 2,4,5-trichloroaniline, 3,5-dichloroaniline, aniline and benzylaniline were used as derivatization reagents. 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry data were obtained for the norcantharidin N-imides synthesized. Factors such as derivatization yields, linearity, reproducibility and sensitivity were evaluated. The influences of reaction temperature and solvent were investigated.

[HPLC determination of tetramethylpyrazine in human serum and its pharmacokinetic parameters].

An HPLC method for the determination of tetramethylpyrazine in serum and application of this method to tetramethylpyrazine deposition studies in human body were described. Tetramethylpyrazine was extracted from alkalinized serum with dichloromethane using methaqualone as internal standard. A RP mu-Bondapak-C18 (10 microns) column fitted with a variable-wavelength UV spectrophotometer operated at 280 nm was used. The mobile phase was methanol-water (58:42). The detection limit of the method was 0.0174 microgram/ml serum. Assay linearity was shown over the range of 0.0291-5.816 micrograms/ml serum with a regression coefficient of 0.9999. The extraction recovery was 99.84% and no interference was found from endogenous compounds, metabolites of parent drug or other commonly used drugs. For the serum concentration following oral administration of tetramethylpyrazine capsules to healthy volunteers (n = 6), the best fit was found to be with a two compartment open model. After administration of 174.5 mg dose, the pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: Tp = 0.5102 h, Cmax = 3.114 micrograms/ml, AUC = 5.893 mg/L.h, T1/2 (Ka) = 0.1508 h, T1/2 (alpha) = 0.4855 h, T1/2 (beta) = 2.894 h, C1 = 15.7 L.h-1, Vc = 17.70 L, V = 66.77 L. The results imply that tetramethylpyrazine is absorbed rapidly, distributed widely in the body, and also eliminated at a fairly rapid rate.

[Studies on the metabolism of antiepilepserine in isolated perfused rat liver].

The metabolism of antiepilepserine, 3,4-methylene dioxycinnamyl piperidine, was studied in isolated perfused rat liver. Two metabolites were separated and purified by means of HPLC. They were identified as 3,4-methylene dioxycinnamyl hydroxypiperidine and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamyl piperidine by UV and MS. The latter was further confirmed by chemical synthesis. The pharmacokinetics of antiepilepserine in isolated perfused liver was also studied. Parameters obtained include a first order elimination constant, k = 0.0157 +/- 0.0043 min-1, and a half-life, t 1/2 = 46.7 +/- 11.9 min, (n = 6). The amount of antiepilepserine lost during the perfusion could not be compensated by the increased amount of metabolites. Antiepilepserine was found to be tightly bound and stored in the liver. This might be one of the explanations of the first pass effect of antiepilepserine after oral administration.