Objective To investigate the effect of long-term high-fat diet on insulin resistance and the morphology and function of islets in rats and the relationship between them.Methods Thirty normal male Wistar rats (8 weeks old) were divided into two groups and fed either with normal chow (NC,n=15),or high-caloric and high-fat diet (HF,n=15).Insulin resistance was assessed by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. The insulin secretory function of islets was evaluated by intravenous insulin releasing test.Morphological and quantitative analysis of pancreatic tissues was performed by double-label insulin and glucagon immunohistochemistry.Proinsulin mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.Results The glucose infusion rate (GIR) in HF rats was significandy lower than that in NC rats [(5.83?0.79)mg?kg~(-1)?min~(-1) vs (7.60?1.29)mg?kg~(-1)?min~(-1),P＜0.05].Immunohistochemistry showed that HF rats had larger islet size [(15168?1327)?m~2 vs (6264?1840)?m~2,P＜0.01] and significantly reduced insulin relative concentration of?cells[(-5.15?0.03) vs (-4.81?0.17),P＜0.01],as compared with NC rats.The islet relative?cell volume was decreased signifieandy (P＜0.01),whereas the relative?cell volume was increased (P＜0.01).So the ratio of?to?were lower in HF [(4.68?1.01) vs (11.84?3.82),P＜0.05].The peak of insulin secretion in intravenous insulin releasing test in HF was at 10 min,whereas that in NC rats was at 5 min.AUC (area under curve) 10-60 rain of insulin in HF was higher than that in NC rats [(152.51?34.53)mIU?L~(-1)?min~(-1) vs (86.40?21.21) mIU?L~(-1)?min~(-1),P＜0.01].There was no difference in proinsulin mRNA levels between two groups. Conclusion Long-term high-caloric and high-fat diet results in early impairment of islet morphology and function, as well as significant insulin resistance,suggesting that the compensation ability of islets has already been impaired in the early course of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective To investigate the correlation between genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in Hubei Han population. Methods Genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 of 270 patients with UC (UC group) who were admitted to the Zhongnan Hospital, People's Hospital of Wuhan University, Tongji Hospital and Union Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from August 2002 to December 2009 and 623 healthy people ( control group) were detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction. All UC patients were allocated to distal UC group (n= 229) and extensive UC group (n =41 ) according to the location of the lesions; and all UC patients were also allocated to mild-moderate group (n = 237) and severe group (n = 33 ). The genetic polymorphisms of GSTP1 of these patients and healthy people were detected by polymerase chain reaction. The genotypes of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 were also detected. GSTM1 and GSTT1 containing small DNA segments ( 157 bp and 480 bp) were defined as GSTM1 (+) and GSTT1 (+), otherwise, GSTM(-) and GSTT1 (-), respectively. All data were analyzed by chisquare test. Results The frequencies of GSTM1(-), GSTT1(-) and GSTP1 (Val/Val) were 70.7% (191/270),64.8% (175/270) and 48.9% (132/270) in the UC group, and 41.7% (260/623), 47.2% ( 294/623 ) and 34.3% (214/623) in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (x2 = 63. 404,22. 320, 25. 384, P ＜0.05 ). The frequencies of GSTT1 (-) and GSTP1 (Val/Val) were 71.6% (164/229) and 57.6% (132/229) in the distal UC group, which were significantly higher than 31.7% (13/41) and 29.3%( 12/41 ) in the extensive UC group ( x2 = 24.528, 9.609, P ＜ 0.05 ). The frequencies of GSTM1 (-) were 65.1%(149/229) in the distal UC group and 56.1% (23/41) in the extensive UC group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( x2 = 1. 210, P ＞ 0.05 ). The frequencies of GSTT1 (-) and GSTP1 ( Val/Val ) were 71.6%(164/229), 31.7% ( 13/41 ) in the distal UC group and 57.6% ( 132/229), 29.3% ( 12/41 ) in the extensive UC group, with a significant difference between the two groups ( x2 = 24. 528, 9. 609, P ＜ 0. 05 ). There was no significant difference in the frequencies of GSTM1 (-), GSTT1 (-), GSTP1 (Val/Val) in the mild-moderate group and the severe group( x2 = 0. 623, 1. 884, 3. 403, P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusions Variant genotypes of GSTs are significantly correlated with UC in Hubei Han population. The severity of UC may not be correlated with variant genotypes of GSTs.

To optimize the Scutellaria baicalensis extraction process, the filter paper method and the bacteriostatic ratio method were adopted to determine the in vitro bacteriostatic efficacy of water extracts and 60% alcohol extracts from S. baicalensis. The quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker (QAMS) was used to determined the contents of four active components, baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein and wogonin. In addition, with the bacteriostatic ratio and the overall desirability of the contents of four active components as indexes, the orthogonal experiment was adopted to detect the effect of water addition, extraction frequency and extraction time. The optimal extraction process was to add 12 times of water for the first time, 10 times of water for the second time, extract for 2 time, 2 h for each time. This optimization process is stable and feasible, with a higher bacteriostatic ratio in extracts.
Alcohols ; chemistry ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Chemical Fractionation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry ; Water ; chemistry

The 125 strains of the symbiotic and epiphyte microorganisms were isolated from marine organisms (Sea cucumber, Sea urchin, Sea anemone, Sea actinia, Ulra, Sargassum, Undaria). Among them,21 strains of bacteria,8 strains of actinomycetes and 2 strains of fungi have shown to have antagonistic activity on bacterial or fungal growth. In the 21 strains of bacteria, 7 strains belong to Bacillus sp., 11 strains belong to Vibro sp., and 3 strains belong to Pseudomonas sp.. In the 8 strains of actinomycetes, 5 strains belong to Streptomyces sp., 3 strains belong to Micromonospora sp.. 2 strains of fungi belong to Penicillum sp..

OBJECTIVE To observe the preventive effect on nosocomial infection by the herbal medicine Atractylodes chinensis disinfectant for air sterilization in cardiothoracic surgery.METHODS A.chinensis disinfectant and ultraviolet irradiation were used to disinfect the patients′ rooms of our cardiothoracic surgery department.The total number of germ and fungus in the indoor air before and after using the two methods were collected.The nosocomial infection rates of the same period were also studied.RESULTS A.chinensis disinfectant had strong effect on sterilization of indoor germs and fungi,and the sterilization rate was 92.7%.The comparison between A.chinensis disinfectant and ultraviolet irradiation showed significant difference in their disinfection effects,while no significant difference in their nosocomial infection rates.CONCLUSIONS The herbal medicine A.chinensis disinfectant can achieve good sterilization effect and prevent nosocomial infection.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect and safety of L-carnitine in the treatment of idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia based on current clinical evidence.

METHODSWe searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CNKI, VIP, CBM and Wanfang Database from the establishment to April 2014 for the published literature on the treatment of idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia with L-carnitine. We conducted literature screening, data extraction, and assessment of the methodological quality of the included trials according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, followed by statistical analysis with the RevMan 5. 2 software.

RESULTSSeven randomized controlled trials involving 751 patients with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia met the inclusion criteria, and 678 of them were included in the meta-analysis. L-carnitine treatment achieved a significantly increased rate of spontaneous pregnancy as compared with the control group (RR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.74 to 5.87, P = 0.0002). After 12-16 and 24-26 weeks of medication, total sperm motility (WMD = 5.21, 95% CI 2.78 to 7.64, P < 0.0001 and WMD = 9.29, 95% CI 1.28 to 17.29, P = 0.02) and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (WMD = 12.44, 95% CI 4.58 to 20.31, P = 0.002 and WMD = 9.76, 95% CI 3.56 to 15.97, P = 0.002) were remarkably higher than those in the control group, but no statistically significant differences were observed in sperm concentration between the two groups (WMD = 4.91, 95% CI -2.63 to 12.45, P = 0.2 and WMD = 0.93, 95% CI -3.48 to 5.34, P = 0.68). After 12-16 weeks of treatment, the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm was markedly decreased in the L-carnitine group as compared with the control (WMD = -2.48, 95% CI -4.35 to -0.61, P = 0.009), but showed no significant difference from the latter group after 24-26 weeks (WMD = -4.38, 95% CI -9.66 to 0.89, P = 0.1). No statistically significant difference was found in the semen volume between the two groups after 12-16 or 24-26 weeks of medication (WMD = -0.13, 95% CI -0.43 to 0.18, P = 0.42 and WMD = 0.28, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.58, P = 0.07). No serious L-carnitine-related adverse events were reported in 4 of the randomniized controlled trials.

CONCLUSIONThe current evidence indicates that L-carnitine can improve spontaneous pregnancy and semen parameters in the treatment of idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia, with no serious adverse reactions.

Asthenozoospermia ; drug therapy ; Carnitine ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility

OBJECTIVETo establish an implanted model of human colonic carcinoma on chick embryo, and to study the effects of anti-angiopoietin-2 antibody on its vascularization.

METHODSThe human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 was transplanted on the chick embryo's chorioallantoic membrane(CAM), and the angiogenesis characteristics were observed by stero-microscope, light microscope and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the effects of anti-angiopoietin-2 antibody on angiogenesis and tumor growth were also investigated.

RESULTSThree to seven days after HT-29 cell line was implanted into CAM, tumors grew rapidly and new blood vessels grew toward tumors. Five days after anti-angiopoietin-2 antibody was given, the number of blood vessels in anti-angiopoietin-2 antibody group was significantly down-regulated than that in tumor control group observed by stero-microscope (37.2+/-4.6 vs 56.8+/-7.4, P<0.01), but was up-regulated than that in normal control group (37.2+/-4.6 vs 9.6+/-2.4, P<0.01). Microvessel density(MVD) in anti-angiopoietin-2 antibody group was much lower than that in tumor control group by histological examination (9.6+/-2.4 vs 20.2+/-5.8, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAngiopoietin-2 antibody is able to inhibit the angiogenesis induced by colorectal cancer cell line HT-29 obviously. The anti-angiopoietin-2 antibody may be potentially useful for clinical treatment of colonic carcinoma.

Angiopoietin-2 ; immunology ; Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Chick Embryo ; Colonic Neoplasms ; blood supply ; HT29 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic

Objective To investigate the effects of different standard cross sections and angles on the measurement accuracy of induced postnatal fetal long bones. Methods Fetal long bones (femori and humeri) in 30 cases with induced abortion were measured utilizing ultrasound from different angles and /or at different directions. The values measured from different sections and angles with vernier calipers were compared prenatally and postnatally. Results There was no apparent difference between the pre-induced abortion and those of the post-induced abortion. The results in the 30 cases showed that: (1) the values measured from anterior 90 degree, the long bone length would best match with the bare long bone length up to 96.7%, the match rate of other angles and/or directions was up to 80%; (2) no apparent statistical difference was between the length of left and right bone and no difference was found using 4 different directions and 3 different angles; (3)there was no difference between the left and right femuri and humeri.Conclusions Though the measured value from anterior 90 degree direction was the most accurate one, the statistical analtical results showed no difference among 12 values measured from 3 different angles and/or 4 different directions.

Objective To assess the efficacy of HIV/AIDS prevention and control among long-distance drivers in China. Methods Based on the principles and methods of Cochrane systematic reviews, we searched literature from CBM (from 1978 to 2009), VIP (1989 to 2009) CNKI (1980 to 2009) , and MEDLINE (1950 to 2009) and also assessed the risk of bias of the included before-after studies according to Newcastle-Ottawa scale and their characteristics. Cochrane Collaboration's software RevMan 5.0 was used for Meta-analysis. Results 13 studies were included, with most of them were of low quality as having high risk of bias. (1) Knowledge index 1 :We included 7 'pre-posr'studies. Meta-analysis showed that AIDS/HIV prevention and control was effective in promoting the knowledge index 1 among long-distance drivers (RD=0.15, 95% CI:0.04-0.26). (2) Knowledge index 2: We included 10 pre-post studies, in which the results from Meta-analysis showed that AIDS/HIV prevention and control was effective in promoting the knowledge index 2 among long-distance drivers (RD = 0.24,95 %CI: 0.17-0.30). (3) Behavior index:We included 6 pre-post studies in which the results from Meta-analysis showed that AIDS/HIV prevention and control was effective in promoting the behavior index among long-distance drivers (RD=0.15,95% CI 0.10-0.19). Conclusion Current evidence demonstrated that HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs were effective.

Red in vivo recombination is a new kind of genetic engineering technique based on homologous recombination. In this work, plasmid pKD46 which expresses Red recombination proteins is transferred into Escherichia coli strain DH5?.The kanamycine resistant gene is generated by PCR by using primers with homology to hisDCB gene of E.coli chromosome. Thus, the hisDCB gene was replaced with kanamycine resistant gene by the plasmid recombination system, then the resistant gene was eliminated by a helper plasmid encoding the FLP recombinase. At last, a E.coli histidine auxotroph which is sensitive to kanamycine was got. The results indicate that Red in vivo recombination is a convenient method to construct auxotrophs.