OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effects of Berberine Capsule (BC) on patients with mild hyperlipidemia.

METHODSTotally 102 mild hyperlipemia patients were recruited. All patients were suggested to have proper diet and physical activity as basic therapy for 1 month of run-in period. Totally 97 patients completed it. Then they were randomly assigned to the berberine group (the treatment group, 49 cases) and the placebo group (the control group, 48 cases). Patients in the treatment group took BC 300 mg, while those in the control group took placebo 300 mg, thrice per day for 3 successive months. Then placebos and BC were interrupted for 2 months (as washout period). All subjects received only diet control and physical activity during washout period. After washout period, placebos and BC were re-administered to all patients in the same way for 3 months. Body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C were assessed after run-in period, washout period, at month 1, 2, 3 after the first therapy, at month 1, 2, 3 after second treatment, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the end of run-in period, TG, TC, and LDL-C decreased, and HDL-C increased in the treatment group (P < 0.05) after first 3 months of treatment. Compared with 3 months after the first therapy, TG, TC, and LDL-C increased and HDL-C decreased in the treatment group after washout period (P < 0.05). Compared with the end of wash- out period, TC and LDL-C decreased in the treatment group at month 2 after second treatment (P < 0.05); TG, TC, and LDL-C decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and HDL-C increased (P < 0.05) at month 3 after second treatment. Compared with the control group at month 3 after second treatment, TG, TC, and LDL-C all decreased, and HDL-C increased in the treatment group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBC was effective in improving blood lipid level in mild hyperlipidemia patients.

Berberine ; therapeutic use ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Body Mass Index ; Capsules ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; Lipids ; blood

Background Researches demonstrated that the long-term application of glucocorticoids can induce cataract. However, its molecular mechanism is unclear. Objective Present study was to investigate the effects of dexamethasone on the regulation of nuclear factor kappa B( NF-κB)/ inhibitor kappa B alpha( IκBα) line on human lens epithelial cells (LECs) and the LECs apoptosis. Methods Human LECs line(HLE2B3) were cultured and passaged in DMEM containing 20% fetal bovine serum and treated by different concentrations of dexamethasone(0. 01,0. 1,1,10,100 μmol/L) for 24,36 and 48 hours respectively. The LECs cultured in free-serum DMEM without dexamethasone were as blank control group. The expressions of IκBo: in the LECs were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR) and Western blot, and the expressions of NF-κB neucleoprotein in LECs were detected by Western blot after exposure to dexamethasone. The apoptosis rate of LECs was determined by flow cytometer. Results Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that the amplified gene fragment was coincident to designed one. The expressing level of NF-κB neucleoprotein in LECs was significantly lowed with the increase of dexamethasone concentration ( F = 36. 077 , P = 0. 004 ) , and that of IkBo: was evidently ascended ( F = 35. 741 ,P = 0. 002). In the same concentration of dexamethasone group,the expression of NF-κB in LECs showed the considerable alteration in different duration after treated of dexamethasone with the lowest expressing level in 36 hours, and significant differences were found in the expressing level between 24 hours and 36 hours ( P = 0. 002) and between 24 hours and 48 hours (P = 0. 01). The differences of expression of IκBá in LECs appeared the same pattern to NF-κB neucleoprotein. Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rate of LECs was obviously enhanced after action of dexamethasone in a dose-dependent manner, showing a significant difference among different groups ( F = 73. 261, P = 0.001). Conclusion It is implied that dexamethasone results in the pathogenesis and development of glucocorticoid cataract by up-regulating the expression of IκBα in LECs and suppressing the activity of NF-κB and herein induce the apoptosis of LECs at concentration-and time-dependent manner. This might be one of cellular and biological mechanisms of glucocorticoid cataract formation.

Objective To compare the transfection rate of AAV2-EGFP and AAV2/1-EGFP to human skin fibroblast(HFB).Methods Two recombinant adeno-associated viruses(AAV) encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP) were constructed and transfected to HFB at multiple of infection MOI ranging from 104 to 106.Twenty-four hours after the infection,the expression rates of EGFP on cultured HFB were assessed by flow cytometry and the transfected cells were observed under fluorescence microscope.The killing effect of the virus on the infected cells was assayed by MTT.Results The transfection efficiency of AAV2-EGFP was increased as MOI increased.When MOI was 104,the transfection efficiency of AAV2-EGFP was 7.68%?1.18%;When MOI was 105,that was 52.12%?1.59%;When MOI was 106,that showed no significant increase.However,the transfection efficiency of AAV2/1-EGFP showed no obvious changes at any MOI.Conclusion AAV2 is more efficient than AAV2/1 in transfecting HFB,but neither AAV has a high transfection efficiency.

Objective To type Yersinia pestis isolated from Gansu Province,and to study the trend of diffreent strains in different administrative regions and different years.Methods Totally 193 strains were enrolled in this study,including 9 strains of Ganning Dauricus type,18 strains of Aerjin type,45 strains of Qilian type and 121 strains of Qingzang type.These strains were genotyped by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR),and genotypes were named according to international standard.Genotyping by CRISPR in different administrative regions and different years of Gansu Province was explored.Results Two clusters (Ca7 and Cb4),including four genotypes (genotypes 7,22,24 and 26) were classified by CRISPR.From the point of view of origin,genotype 24 was the main genotype in Akesai 36.36％ (16/44),Subei 36.17％ (17/47),Yumen 50.00％ (5/10) and Su'nan 38.67％ (29/75);the main genotype of Xiahe and Huining was genotype 26 (4/7);the main genotype of Shandan was genotype 22 (1/1).From the point of view of time,the main genotype of Yersiniapestis in Gansu Province during the years of 1960-1969,1970-1979 and 1980-1989 was genotype 26 [53.33％ (8/15),60.00％ (6/10) and 48.28％ (14/29)];the main genotype was genotype 22 [40.91％ (18/44)] during the years of 1990-1999;and the main genotype was genotype 24 [43.16％ (41/95)] during the years of 2000-2009.Conclusion Four genotypes of Yersiniapestis in Gansu Province are quite different in different administrative regions and different years.

Effect of organic acids on the synthesis of 1,3 propanediol was studied.The adsorption of organic acids from glycerol fermentation liquor by ion-exchange resins was investigated.The results showed that organic acid and 1,3 propanediol production was in negative relationship.The static adsorption showed that ion-exchange resin 005 had the best adsorption abilities of the organic acids in the glycerol fermentation liquor.It was showed that the yield of 1,3propanediol increased by 166% after the extraction of organic acids from glycerol fermentation liquor and the convertion rate increased by 34%.

Objective To investigate the effect of curcumin pretreatment on endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Methods One hundred forty-four male SD rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 36 each): sham operation group (group S) ; I/Rgroup; curcumin group (group Cur) and vehicle control group (group VC). Global cerebral I/R was produced by four-vessel occlusion technique in S, I/R, Cur, VC groups. Bilateral vertebral arteries were cauterized. Bilateral common carotid arteries were occluded by clipping for 15 min. Curcumin 200 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally (IP) at 1 h before cerebral ischemia. Global cerebral ischemia was confirmed by unconsciousness and disappearance of papillary and righting reflex. Animals were sacrificed at 12 h, 1,3 and 7 d of reperfusion. Neuronal apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 region was detected by TUNEL assay. Apoptosis index (AI) was calculated. The expression of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) ,growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gene 153 (GADD153) and caspase-12 protein in hippocampal region was assessed by Western blot analysis. Results Cerebral I/R significantly increased AI and GRP78 and caspase-12 protein expression in hippocampus as compared with group S( P <0.05) . Curcumin pretreatment significantly decreased AI, increased GRP78 protein expression and decreased caspase-12 protein expression as compared with group I/R ( P < 0.05) . There was no significant difference in the GADD153 protein expression among Cur, VC and I/R groups ( P > 0.05) . Conclusion Curcumin pretreatment can significantly reduce global cerebral I/R-induced neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus by increasing GRP78 expression and decreasing easpase-12 expression in hippocampus.

Objective To compare the dose distributions of the volumetric modulated arc therapy ( VMAT) for early stage non?small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) using conventional flattening filter ( FF) and the flattening filter free ( FFF) beams and to verify the dose calculation accuracy of the FFF beam through a three?dimensional verification system. Methods The treatment plans of 20 patients ( 2015 years hospitalized) treated with SBRT for early stage NSCLC using a TrueBeam accelerator were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were scanned with 4DCT and the average density projection images were used for organ segmentation and treatment planning using an Eclipse plan system. Two volumetric modulated arc therapy ( VMAT) plans with FF and FFF were designed with the same planning parameters for each patient. The dose distributions between the two plans were compared and their dose verifications were assessed with the ArcCheck device. Results With the same dose coverage for the target, there was no significant difference in the dose compatibility index 100%(CI100%) between FF and FFF beams (P=0. 82).CI80% and CI50% of FFF plan were lower than that of FF plan (P=0. 02,0. 01).The dose significantly decreased in the FFF plan comparing with the FF plan for the ipsilateral lung and the total lung (P<0. 01 for both).There was no significant difference between monitor units of the FF and FFF plans ( P=0. 34) ,while the delivery time of FFF was significant shorter than that of FF (P<0. 01).The DVH passing,γ pass rates and the absolute dose deviations of the FF and FFF plans at the central point were not significantly different ( P=0. 05,0. 16, 0. 26) . Conclusions FFF beams for NSCLC patients with VMAT planning can significantly improve the dose distribution compatibility and reduce radiation doses to lung. The beam delivery with FFF beams was also faster. Furthermore,the three?dimensional dose verification confirmed that the dose calculation in Eclipse plan system using FFF beams for VMAT plans were accurate and met the clinical need.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the applicability of immune-related response criteria (irRC) in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by Chinese medicine (CM).

METHODSTotally 97 stage III a-IV NSCLC patients were predominantly treated with comprehensive CM. Curative effects were evaluated by three methods such as Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), Oncologic Curative Effect Evaluation Criteria of Chinese Medicine in Solid Tumor (draft, abbreviated as CM criteria), and irRC. The correspondency and consistency between irRC, RECIST and CM criteria were analyzed and compared. The objectivity of irRC in evaluating curative effect of Chinese medical treatment for NSCLC was assessed.

RESULTSThe correspondency rate of irRC to RECIST was 59. 79% with Kappa value of 0. 379 (U test, P <0. 01). The two criteria had certain correspondence, but with an unsatisfactory consistency. The correspondency rate of irRC to CM criteria rate was 83. 51% with Kappa value of 0.751 (U test, P <0. 01). The two criteria had good correspondence and consistency.

CONCLUSIONSCM criteria had good consistency with CM criteria in evaluating curative effect for Chinese medical treatment of advanced NSCLC. Its results could objectively reflect features and advantages of CM for treating advanced NSCLC.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Treatment Outcome

Aim To investigate the effects of metformin on phospho-signal transducers and activators of transcription 3(p-STAT3) expression in the spinal dorsal horn in rats with bone cancer pain(BCP).Methods Healthy female SD rats weighing 200~220 g were randomly divided into four groups(n=12 each): Sham+NS, Sham+Metformin, BCP+NS, BCP+Metformin groups.Normal saline or metformin(200 mg·kg-1) was given intraperitoneally once a day at 7~14 day after surgery in four groups.Mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT) was measured on-1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14 day after BCP.The L4-6 segments of spinal cords were used to detect the expression of p-STAT3 by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining technique after the behavioral test was completed on day 14.Results Intraperitoneal injection of metformin reversed hyperalgesia and suppressed the expression of p-STAT3 in BCP rats.Conclusion Metformin can attenuate BCP by inhibiting the expression of p-STAT3 in the spinal dorsal horn.

60 strains which have antimicrobial activity had been isolated from nutritious soil in China in the study.We have further selected 1 strain which product broad-spectrum antibiotics using agar well-diffusion method.The strain was identified Brevibacillus laterosporus after physiological biochemical characteristic experiments,sequencing of 16S rDNA and cluster analysis,named S62-9.