To study the effects of alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) mRNA expression and antihyperlipedemic levels. The LDLR mRNA expression were detected by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in serum were measured at the first and last examination. The results show that, after the drug treatment, compared with the model group, each drug group showed a lipid-lowering effect. Especially, coptisine, palmatine, jatrorrhinze were significantly reduced TC, TG, LDL-c (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and increased HDL-c (P < 0.01). In addition, they also increased mRNA expression of the LDLR in liver and HepG2 cells. The results showed that alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma can regulate lipid metabolism disorder, and coptisine have the best lipid-lowering effect.
Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Cricetinae ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Lipids ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Mesocricetus ; Receptors, Lipoprotein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Triglycerides ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficiency of selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor compared to traditional nonselective NSAIDs for the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

METHODSBy searching Medline, Embase, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and Science Citation Index et al, only randomised controlled studies of selective COX-2 inhibitors VS nonselective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors for the prevention of HO after THA were included. The quality assessment of included studies was evaluated according to the standard of the Cochrane Collaboration, and the data were analysised by statistic software Stata 10.0. The HO incidence of both groups in different degrees was compared.

RESULTSFour eligible randomised controlled trials of totally 808 patients were included. Meta-analysis results showed that no statistically significant difference was found in overall incidence of HO (RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.71-1.64,P = 0.73), incidence of moderate severe HO (Brooker II and III) (RR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.48-1.42, P = 0.49) and any grade of Brooker classification between two groups. In all included studies, 16 patients receiving nonselective COX inhibitor (4.4%) discontinued treatment because of gastrointestinal toxicity,whereas 10 patients in the selective COX-2 inhibitor group (2.7%) discontinued for gastrointestinal side effects.

CONCLUSIONThe selective COX-2 inhibitors are as equally effective as nonselective NSAIDs for the prevention of HO after THA. Considering the side effects of nonselective NSAIDs, selective COX-2 inhibitors were recommend for the prevention of HO after THA.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; adverse effects ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; prevention & control ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Objective To investigate the distribution of high-arsenic drinking water in Honghu city of Hubei province in order to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of endemic arsenic disease.Methods Investigations were made in 22 townships(towns,districts),68 natural villages of the drainage areas of the Dongjing River,the Neijing River and the Yangtse River in 2006 and 2007,with the townships(towns,districts)around Shahu town in Xiantao city as the focal point.1000 water samples were drawn each year,which was 10% of all the wells in every natural village.Using sampling investigation,water arsenic Was determined by half-quantitative fast reagent kit.All samples of water with arsenic exceeding the standard(≥0.03 mg/L)were re-determined according to state standard.Surveys on the disease was carried out in the villages(brigades)where arsenic exceeded the standard.Results A total of 2000 samples were surveyed from 68 natural villages,of which there were 401 samples from 48 villages exceeding the standard in a rate of 20.05%(401/2000).The highest arsenic content Was 0.71 mg/L.The high arsenic water sources were distributed mainy in the drainage areas of the Dongjing River and the Neijing River,but no patients with endemic arsenic disease were found.Conclusions The high arsenic water sources are distributed mainly in the drainage areas of the Dongjing River and the Neijing River.It is suggested that the interrelated government departments should take precise measures to impmve the quality of drinking water and ensure safe water to the residents in high arsenic areas.

· AIM: To inspect and compare the functional vision of an aspheric intraocular lens (Tecnis) with those of conventional monofocal silicone and acrylic intraocular lens and multifocal intraocular lens (Array).· METHODS: The IOLs were tested in the eye model, which was designed to be optically equivalent to the theoretical eye model. The eye model is a combination of a spherical photographic lens with 35mm focal length ( IOL put in a water cell)and a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. The images constructed by the lenses are observed on a monitor of personal computer and the contrasts of the images are analyzed by using commercial image processing software.· RESULTS: The modulation transfer function of the eye model equals the scale produced by the theoretical eye model. The images constructed by changing the diameter of aperture stop and IOL.· CONCLUSION: The proposed eye model is useful for testing functional vision and for inspecting differences of intraocular lens.

Objective To explore the effects and safety of hemoperfusion(HP) therapy on tetramine poisoning in infants.Methods Thirty-five infants with tetramine poisoning were divided into two groups: HP group(n=18) and non HP group(n=17).The changes of blood tetramine concentration and clinical symptom improving of both groups after the treatment were observed together with the adverse effects of HP group.Results The average blood tetramine concentration of HP group was higher than that of non HP group(342.2?333.4 vs 117.9?50.8 ?g/L,P

OBJECTIVETo observe the distribution of the pre-cancerous condition and pathological changes of esophageal cancer of the community residents in high-incidence area, and to provide etiological evidences for secondary prevention.

METHODSAn iodine-staining endoscope census was conducted in 9536 residents with high-risk factors at Feicheng, a high esophageal cancer incidence community in Shandong province. Of which, 1507 pathologic biopsies were performed and chi2 test administrated.

RESULTSThere was no statistical significance found in biopsy pathologic diagnosis between females and males among 1507 samples. The mild and medium atypical hyperplasia was taken as pre-cancerous condition and severe atypical hyperplasia was taken as pre-cancerous lesion. Taking all the population attending census as denominator, the detection rate of the precancerous state and precancerous lesion were 6.98% (294/4214) and 1.23% (52/4214) for the males, and 3.68% (196/5322) and 0.47% (25/5322) for the females, respectively. A statistical significance was observed when comparing males with females (chi2 were 52.349 and 15.267, respectively, P < 0.05). Analyzed by age group, severe atypical hyperplasia pathological changes were mainly distributed in the age group of 50- and 65-. The constituent ratio between 45 - and 50 - was the highest for CIS. Early carcinoma was mainly distributed in five age groups from 45- to 65-. It showed that high incidence town had a high detection rate of cancer and pathological changes of esophageal cancer in the analysis of urban and rural distribution.

CONCLUSIONThe distribution of the pre-cancerous state and pathological changes of esophageal cancer of the residents should have provided a scientific basis for the primary and secondary prevention.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Community Health Services ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; epidemiology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Preventive Health Services

BACKGROUNDMultiple epiphysis dysplasia (MED) is a common skeletal dysplasia with a significant locus heterogeneity. In the majority of clinically defined cases, mutations have been identified in the gene encoding cartilage algometric matrix protein (COMP).

METHODSFive patients were included in the study. Linkage analysis and mutation analysis of the COMP gene were conducted in the patients and their family members.

RESULTSWe have identified a novel mutation in axon 14 of COMP gene in the family.

CONCLUSIONSThis mutation produced a severe MED phenotype with marked short stature, early onset osteoarthritis, and remarkable radiographic changes. Our results extended the range of disease-causing mutations in COMP gene and contributed more information about relationship between mutations and phenotype.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteochondrodysplasias ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of ethylbenzene on the levels of mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) in urine, the ultrastructure and the expressions of mitochondrial apoptotic-related genes in the rat nephridial tissues.

METHODSFour groups of 10 males of Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated randomly into four groups: control (C) group, low (L) group, moderate (M) group and high (H) group, and inhaled daily with different doses of ethylbenzene: 0, 433.5 mg/m(3), 4335 mg/m(3), and 6500 mg/m(3) 6 h per day, 5 days per week for 13 weeks. The mandelic acid and phenylglyoxylic acid in the urine was assayed by high performance liquid chromatography. The ultrastructure of nephridial tissue was observed via electron microscope. The protein expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome C, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 in nephridial tissues were measured by Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSThe levels of MA [(0.303 +/- 0.148) mg/L, (0.404 +/- 0.154) mg/L] and PGA [(0.168 +/- 0.104) mg/L, (0.174 +/- 0.092) mg/L] in the urine of M and H groups were significantly higher than that in the control and L group [(0.084 +/- 0.070) mg/L, (0.041 +/- 0.029) mg/L] (P < 0.05, respectively). It has been shown a dose-effect relationship between the contents of MA, PGA and MA + PGA and inhaled ethylbenzene, respectively. The mitochondria of rat nephridial tissue of H group became a compact and vacuolar structure with disorder and loss of cristae. The expression levels of Bax in mitochondria of nephridial tissues of M and H groups were significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Caspase-3 expression level in H group was remarkably higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of cytochrome C and Caspase-9 were enhanced, while the expression levels of Bcl-2 were restrained in all ethylbenzene-treated groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). The expression levels of Caspase-3 in M and H groups were significantly higher than that in the control group and L group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEthylbenzene can induce apoptosis in the cells of nephridial tissues. The apoptotic mechanism might be involved with up-regulation of Bax, cytochrome C, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3, as well as restraint of Bcl-2. The level of MA and PGA in the rat urine could be a parameter of biological dose in vivo after ethylbenzene inhalation.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Benzene Derivatives ; toxicity ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glyoxylates ; urine ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Mandelic Acids ; urine ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo review the development of tissue culture on Rehmannia glutinosa.

METHODDocumentaries at home and abroad were consulted.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe tissue culture conditions of R. glutinosa were summarized and the problems of tissue culture in R. glutinosa were also pointed out.

Culture Media ; Lighting ; Plant Diseases ; Plant Leaves ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Pollen ; growth & development ; Rehmannia ; growth & development ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; Tissue Preservation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of ethylbenzene on oxidative damage, ultrastructure and the expressions of apoptosis-related genes in the rat brain tissues.

METHODSFour groups of 10 males of Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated randomly, and inhaled daily with different doses of ethylbenzene: 0, 433.5 mg/m³, 4335.0 mg/m³, and 6500.0 mg/m³ 6 h daily, 5 days per week for 13 weeks. The contents of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were assayed, respectively. The ultrastructure of brain tissues was observed via electron microscope. The gene expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome C, caspase-9 and caspase-3 in brain tissues were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively.

RESULTSThe contents of MDA [(2.03 ± 0.56), (4.17 ± 1.31) nmol/mg pro] in the brain tissues of 4335.0 mg/m³ and 6500.0 mg/m³ ethylbenzene-treated groups were significantly higher than that [(1.08 ± 0.26) nmol/mg pro] in the control group (P < 0.05), while AChE activities [(0.321 ± 0.066), (0.276 ± 0.031), (0.202 ± 0.041) U/mg] and GSH contents [(35.19 ± 15.08), (33.42 ± 15.32), (27.99 ± 7.53) mg/g pro] in all ethylbenzene-treated groups were remarkably depressed (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). After 6500.0 mg/m³ ethylbenzene inhalation, the nucleolus exhibit demilune with decreased mitochondria. Electrondense of myelin occurred in the injured nerve, ascribing to lipid peroxidationed membrane. The gene expression level of Bax in brain tissue of 4335.0 mg/m³ and 6500.0 mg/m³ ethylbenzene-treated group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the gene expression levels of cytochrome C, caspase-9 and caspase-3 in all ethylbenzene-treated groups were enhanced (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively), while bcl-2 gene expression levels in all ethylbenzene-treated groups were decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEthylbenzene can induce oxidative damage and apoptosis in brain tissues. The apoptotic mechanism might be involved with up-regulation of Bax, cytochrome C, caspase-9 and caspase-3, as well as restraint of Bcl-2.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Benzene Derivatives ; toxicity ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; DNA Damage ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism