Objective: To examine the effects of berberine on atherosclerosis and plasma levels of lipid in rabbits. Methods: 18 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, untreated cholesterol-fed group, and berberine treated group, which were fed for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured enzymatically by automatic facilities and the aorta was harvested for pathologic morphology observation. Results: The aorta plaque/intima size (P/I) was 0%, (59.6 ± 13.7) % and (36.3 ± 16.5) % in control, untreated cholesterol-fed group and berberine treated group respectively by pathologic morphology observation (P < 0.01). The maximum plaque thickness, the average plaque thickness, the degree of aortic stenosis and the proportion of the intimal circumference occupied by atheroma of 3 groups were different from each other significantly (P < 0.01). Plasma levels of TC and HDLC in berberine treated group were decreased significantly (by 28.88% and 40.94% respectively) compared with that in untreated cholesterol-fed group (P < 0.01). Plasma levels of HDLC and TG in berberine treated group showed no difference from untreated cholesterol fed group (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Berberine can decreased plasma levels of TC and HDL C and suppress the progression of atherosclerosis and stabilize the plaque in experimental atherosclerosis.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of thiopental on T lymphocyte subsets in mice. MethodsT lymphocyte subsets were measured by flow cytorneter and monoclonal antibodies and immunofluorescence technic. ResaltsThe CD4 T cell and the CD4/CD8 ratio decreased after thiopental anaesthesia in mice. At the same time the whole amount of white blood cells has no statistical significant difference between test group and control group. ConclusionThiopental anaesthesia inhibits immune function.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the polymorphisms of the promoter of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10(ADAM10) gene and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD).Methods The promoter of ADAM10 gene in 10 controls and 10 SAD patients was sequenced.Three variations were found,then these variations in 298 SAD patients (SAD group) and 315 healthy controls (control group)were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).ResultsThree polymorphisms were found in the promoter of ADAM10 gene: -279G/A (rs653765),- 630G/T( rs514049 ) and - 921GAGA/- ( rs33926666 ).For - 921GAGA/-,there were significant differences in genotype ( GAGA/GAGA:138 (46.3％ ),GAGA/-:155(52.0％),-/-:5(1.7％))and allele frequencies (GAGA:431 (73.6％),-:165 (27.7％) ) between SAD and control (genotype:x2 =34.130,P =0.000; allele:x2 =25.972,P =0.000). For - 279G/A,there were significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies between SAD and control in the subjects without ApoEε4 allele (genotype:x2 =8.734,P=0.013; allele:x2 =5.129,P=0.024). -279G and -921GAGA were relatively protective allele types for SAD,and they were not in linkage disequilibrium.ConclusionThe polymorphisms - 279G/A and - 921GAGA/- of ADAM10 are associated with SAD.Allele G or genotype G/G of -279G/A and the GAGA/GAGA genotype or the GAGA allele of -921GAGA/- might have a protective effect on SAD.

Objective To investigative the relationship of personality and coping style with subjective well-being in nurses.Methods 140 nurses were invited randomly to answer the questionnaires.123 questionnaires out of 140 were selected,with 17 papers excluded because of un-complete answer.Personality,coping style and subjective well-being were respectively estimated with Eysenck Personality Questionnaire(EPQ),Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire(SCSQ) and General Well-Being Scale(GWB).The resuits were compared with the national norm.Correlation analysis was performed in term of the correlation of personality and coping style with subjective well-being.Results Subjective well-being of nurses was associated with personality and coping style.Conclusions Personality and coping style can predict subjective well-being.The research can provide theoretical basis for psychological care to the nurse group.

Objective To analyze the current status of the drug resistance of enterococci and monitor the prevalence of drug-resistant strains of enterococci in hospital infection. Methods 318 strains of enterococci separated from infectious samples in nine general hospitals in Hubei were assayed and tested with regard to drug sensitivity and the software of WHONET4 was used to analyze the data. Results The separation ratio of ARE, HLARE, VRE and ARE complicated with HLARE was respectively 16.98% , 37.76% , 0 and 5.66% . Conclusion The drug resistance of enterococci shows the tendency of increasing and consequent hospital infection shows the tendency of scattered prevalence. Laboratories of clinical microorganisms ought to closely watch the detection and spread of VRE.

Purpose:To evaluate the curative effects and side effects of 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in the treatment of liver carcinoma.Methods:56 patients with liver carcinoma (Forty three patients were primary hepatic carcinoma and 13 liver metastatic tumors) with 62 lesions were treated with 3DCRT for 30～45 Gy/5～10 f/1～2 weeks with fractionated doses ranging from 4Gy to 8Gy.Results:In the 1～3 months after 3DCRT the results examined by CT or MRI showed that the 62 lesions(56 patients) had CR 24% (15/62),PR 50%(31/62),NC 16% (10/62) and PD 10% (6/62).The overall response rate (CR+PR) was 74%.Conclusions:3DCRT is an effective and safe treatment for hepatic malignant tumor and it can be tolerated by most of the patients.The immediate response of tumor is encouraging. The survival rate and late complications remain to be observed.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of of manganese (Mn) ions stress on the contents of cordycepin and adenosine in mycelia of C. militaris. METHODS: The mycelia biomass, Mn accumulation and activities of antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] in mycelia of C. militaris with liquid culture medium supplemented with Mn from 0 to 100 g · L-1 were determined. The contents of cordycepin and adenosine in mycelia under different manganese oxidative stress were determined by HPLC. The separation was performed on a Zorbax Extend-C18 column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 4 μm), using acetoni-trile-water (5:95) as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.0 mL · min-1. The detection wavelength was set at 254 nm. RESULTS: The mycelia biomass of C. militaris decreased with the increase of manganese concentration. The manganese content in mycelia increased significantly with the increase of manganese concentration and reached plateau when the manganese concentration was higher than 30 g · L-1. The activity of antioxidant enzymes including POD, CAT and SOD in mycelia of C. militaris all increased first and then decreased with increasing concentration of manganese in the culture media. The cordycepin content in mycelia increased significantly with increase of manganese concentration. When the Mn+ concentration in the culture medium was 80 g · L-1, cordycepin content in mycelia was 3.31 times higher than the control. The adenosine content decreased significantly when the manganese concentration was in the range of 0-30 g · L-1, and then remained relatively stable. CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress of manganese ions promotes the cordycepin synthesis in mycelia of C. militaris, but inhibites adenosine synthesis.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of ethyl acetate fraction of Blumea balsamifera (BBE) residue on treating rats of adjuvant arthritis (AA) and its mechanism.

METHODThe rats were immunized with the Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). After modeling, 28 days' treatment with BBE was performed. During the experimental process, rat mass, toe girth, arthritic index (AI), proliferation of immune organs and pathological section were measured. After treatment, blood samples were collected through fossa orbitalis vein for detection of serum SOD, MDA, GSH, NO, OH*, ALP, AST, ALT, NAG and SA content using colorimetric method and IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α content using ELISA method.

RESULTAdministration with BBE (high dose) could significantly ameliorate joint swelling and arthritis index, effectively inhibit synovial hyperplasia, down-regulate the levels of MDA, NO, OH*, ALP, AST, ALT, NAG, SA, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and up-regulate the SOD and GSH levels in serum.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested BBE possesses substantial anti-arthritis and antioxidant activities.

Acetates ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; Arthritis, Experimental ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; radiation effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiation effects

Objective To study the relationship between parathyroid hormone(PTH)level and central arterial stiffness in patients with high risk of coronary artery disease(CAD) and preserved renal function.Methods Seventy-seven patients with at least one risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD) were divided into increased arterial stiffness group(n=35) and control group(n=42),based on whether the noninvasive pulse wave analysis index of the central pulse pressure(CPP) was higher than 40mmHg or not.Coronary artery angiography was performed in all cases.Serum intact PTH,calcium,phosphor,and highly sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP) was assessed by radioimmunoassay.Coronary angiography was also performed.Results The patients in increased arterial stiffness group were elder and had higher serum uric acid compared with those in the control group.Forty-four patients were confirmed to have CAD; CAD patients in the stiffness group (n=23) had significantly higher serum iPTH level compared with those in the control group(n=21) (P40 mmHg)after adjustment for age,BMI,hs-CRP,and male gender.Conclusion CAD patients with increased central arterial stiffness and preserved renal function have higher serum PTH level.The serum PTH level is positively correlated with central arterial stiffness,and is the independent risk factor for increased arterial stiffness.