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OBJECTIVE: In this study, the antidiabetic efficacy of Protaetia brevitarsis in alloxan-treated pancreatic islets and db/db mice was investigated. P. brevitarsis was tested for al-loxan-mediated cytotoxicity and nitric oxide production in mice pancreatic islets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antidiabetic effect of P. brevitarsis was also evaluated in db/db mice after 4 weeks of administration. Biochemical analysis, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and pancreatic histological analysis were performed. RESULTS: P. brevitarsis displayed hypoglyce-mic activity in alloxan-treated mice pancreatic islets. Our results showed that P. brevitarsis protects pancreatic islets from cytotoxicity. Moreover, daily oral supplementation with P. brevitarsis for 4 weeks reduced plasma glucose levels without affecting body weight and food intake, elevated glucose tolerance in OGTT, improved blood lipid parameters, inhibited fat accumulation, and restored islet structure of db/db mice. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provided evidence for the anti-diabetic effect of P. brevitarsis in alloxan-treated pancreatic islets and db/db mice. These results suggest that P. brevitarsis may be used as an adjunctive anti-diabetic agent or as a functional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present X-ray radiograms from a high Mach number 'complex' blast wave interacting with a high-density (100 times the ambient) sphere using a laser produced plasma. We show visualizations of data from comparable parameter two-dimensional axisymmetric hydrodynamic simulations, including density, dilatation (div u), and vorticity (curl u). The simulation results are consistent with the X-ray radiograms, thus providing heuristic guidance for future studies. Index Terms--Hydrodynamics, laser fusion, plasmas, shock waves, X-ray imaging.

In this study, we investigated the relationship between the genetic polymorphism of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) genes and the litter size in 384 individuals of five breeds of black goats. Four pairs of primers were designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphism of GDF9 gene in goats by PCR-SSCP. The least square was used to analyze the relation between different genotypes and the litter size. The results showed that the PCR products from primer pair 1 (P1) displayed polymorphisms in three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) in big foot (BF) and Jintang (JT) black goats. For primer pairs of P2, P3 and P4, there was no polymorphism. The sequencing results revealed that there was a single nucleotide mutation (A792→G) in exon 2 of GDF9 gene in BF and JT black goats, and this mutation resulted in an amino acid change: valine→isoleucine. In BF and JT black goats, the average litter size in the third parity was significantly higher in genotype AA than both genotypes of AB and BB while the average little size of genotype AB was higher than that of genotype BB in the same parity. GDF9 gene could be therefore considered as a candidate gene for marker-assisted selection of litter size trait in goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study was purposed to evaluate release of nickel and chromium ions and methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers from functional appliances and their possible health effects., Materials and Methods: Study design: Twin-block appliances and Bionators were immersed in artificial saliva and kept in a thermal incubator. Control group was established as artificial saliva without appliances. Artificial saliva was analysed after 7 days, 30 days and 90 days. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for detection of nickel and chromium ions and MMA monomers. MTT assays and cytokine array were performed., Statistics: One way ANOVA with Tukey test and Dunnett's T3 for post-hoc analysis was used for evaluation of time-dependent changes and independent t-test was used for evaluation of MTT assay results., Results: The results revealed that metal ions and MMA monomers are released from the appliances. Metal ion detection pattern was irregular and could not be analysed. Twin-block group showed significantly larger amount of MMA release. MTT assay revealed statistically significant but minimally reduced cellular activity on Bionator and twin-block groups compared to control groups. Cytokine array showed no or less inflammatory cytokine release on Bionator and twin-block groups., Conclusion: MMA monomer release was confirmed but the cytotoxic effect of functional appliance material release is minimal or negligible. General toxicity of the functional appliance from the MMA monomer release is likely to be minimal or negligible.

To develop a prolonged and sustained release preparation, we prepared an albumin microsphere-in-oil-in-water emulsion (S/O/W) and examined sustained release from it in comparison with other control preparations such as water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions and microspheres in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Tegafur was used as a model drug. A microsphere-in-oil emulsion was prepared by adding albumin microspheres to soybean oil containing 20% Span 80. To prepare an S/O/W emulsion, the microsphere-in-oil emulsion was added into an aqueous solution of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose containing Pluronic F68. The mean particle size of the albumin microspheres was 3 microns, and the ratio of entrapment of tegafur into albumin microspheres was about 25%. In an in vitro release test, the t75 of the S/O/W emulsion was fourfold greater and in an in vivo release test the mean residence time of tegafur from the S/O/W emulsion was more than twofold that from a W/O emulsion or microsphere system. The mean residence time of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) from an S/O/W emulsion was also greater than with other dosage forms. These results suggest the possible usefulness of an S/O/W emulsion for the sustained and prolonged release of tegafur.

Background: The effect of 0.1% dexamethasone on epithelial healing was evaluated in corneal alkali wounds., Methods: Epithelial wounds were induced by a 60-s application of a round filter paper (5.5 mm) soaked in 1 N NaOH onto the central cornea of the rabbit. Animals were treated with 0.1% dexamethasone 4 times each day for 8 weeks in one subgroup and only for the 1st week in the other subgroup. The control eyes were treated with a balanced salt solution. The repair processes of epithelium and its basement membrane were evaluated morphologically and morphometrically., Results: Treatment with 0.1% dexamethasone was found to retard the repair process of epithelial healing compared with the control eyes. Morphologically, the basement membrane in the control cornea was damaged focally at 2 days, maximally disrupted at 4 weeks, and regained the normal integrity at 8 weeks after the initial alkali damage. In 0.1% dexamethasone-treated corneas, regardless of the application period, the basement membrane structure was visible up to 4 weeks but disappeared at 8 weeks after the initial alkali wounds. The eyes treated with 0.1% dexamethasone for 8 weeks showed an intense infiltration of inflammatory cells in the superficial stroma 4 weeks after treatment., Conclusion: A topical application of 0.1% dexamethasone retarded the corneal epithelial healing. The cornea treated with 0.1% dexamethasone only for the 1st week maintained a well-preserved basement membrane for as long as 4 weeks after initial damage without enhancement of the inflammatory cell infiltration. However, further study is needed to prevent late disintegration of the basement membrane.

The blood coagulation system of 66 consecutive patients undergoing consecutive liver transplantations was monitored by thrombelastograph and analytic coagulation profile. A poor preoperative coagulation state, decrease in levels of coagulation factors, progressive fibrinolysis, and whole blood clot lysis were observed during the preanhepatic and anhepatic stages of surgery. A further general decrease in coagulation factors and platelets, activation of fibrinolysis, and abrupt decrease in levels of factors V and VIII occurred before and with reperfusion of the homograft. Recovery of blood coagulability began 30-60 min after reperfusion of the graft liver, and coagulability had returned toward baseline values 2 hr after reperfusion. A positive correlation was shown between the variables of thrombelastography and those of the coagulation profile. Thrombelastography was shown to be a reliable and rapid monitoring system. Its use was associated with a 33% reduction of blood and fluid infusion volume, whereas blood coagulability was maintained without an increase in the number of blood product donors.