OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Jiedu-jiangzhuo granules on gut microbiota of metabolic syndrome rats and TLR4/NF-κB pathway. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, metformin group, experimental high-dose of Jiedu-jiangzhuo granules 2.4 g•kg-1•d-1 group and experimental low-dose of Jiedu-jiangzhuo granules 1.2 g•kg-1•d-1 group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for rats in the control group, the other rats were fed with high-fat/ sugar/salt diet for 12 weeks. When fed for 8 weeks, the rats in metformin group (0.103 g•kg-1•d-1), experimental high-dose group (2.4 g•kg-1•d-1) or experimental low-dose group (1.2 g•kg-1•d-1) were simultaneously gavaged with metformin or Jiedu-jiangzhuo granules for 4 weeks. Body weight, serum lipid indexes and lipopolysaccharide(LPS) were determined by biochemical method, liver coefficient and epididymal fat tissue coefficient of rats were detected. Total genomic DNA of gut microbiota was extracted from fecal samples, then DNA library was built. Community structures of fecal microbes and α-diversity were sequenced on the Illumina Miseq platform. RESULTS: At the end of experiment, the body weight, LPS, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and fasting blood glucose(FBG) of rats in experimental high-dose group were lower than those in the model group and higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and HDL-C was also higher in experimental high-dose group than that in the model group, but lower than that in the control group (P<0.05); but there was no statistical difference in TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C and FBG levels between experimental high-dose group and metformin group (P>0.05). The liver coefficient and epididymal fat tissue coefficient of rats in experimental high-dose group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference between experimental high-dose group and control group or metformin group (P>0.05). Besides, the NF-κB, IL-6, TNF-α levels of rats inexperimental high-dose group were lower than those in the model group, metformin group or low-dose group (P<0.05), but almost the same as those in the control group (P>0.05). Chaol index of gut microbiota was higher than that in the other four groups (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference of Shannon diversity among the five groups (P>0.05). The ratios of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Tenericutes and Prevotella, Phascolarctobacterium in experimental high-dose group were lower than those in model group (P<0.05), meanwhile the ratios of Bacteroidetes, Paraprevotella and Bacteroides were higher than those in model group (P<0.05). Finally, TLR4 and NF-κB proteins in colonic tissues of rats in experimental high-dose group were lower than those in model group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION:S There are significant evidences that Jiedu-jiangzhuo granules could play a role in lower of weight gain and blood lipids in metabolic syndrome rats by adjusting the gut microbiota and TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

AIM: To study the effect of berberine(Ber) on invasion and migration of PG cells from a high metastatic human giant lung carcinoma cell line and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: Agarose drop method was used to detect PG migration; transwell cabin with FN in lower chamber was adopted to detect PG chemotaxis. PG adhesion to FN and martrigel was detected by MTT; PG invasive ability was determined by transwell cabin covered with martrigel. Expression of MMP2/TIMP2 protein and mRNA were detected by quantitative immunocytochemical method and RT - PCR respectively. RESULTS: After PG was treated by Ber( 10 mg/L) for 24 h: 1 ) migration distance of Ber- treated PG cells was markedly shorter than that of control cells (P ＜0. 01 ) and the number of passed membrane cells towards FN was much fewer than that of control cells ( P ＜ 0. 01 ); 2) PG adhesion to FN and martrigel was inhibited remarkably by Ber compared with control PG; 3) the migration of PG cells through the martrigel -coated transwell was significantly inhibited by the addition of Ber; 4) MMP2 expression was reduced significantly(P ＜0. 01 ), while the TIMP2 expression showed up - regulating tendency, but had no differences compared with control group (P ＞ 0. 05). The MMP2/TIMP2 ratio was decreased; 5 )the MMP2 mRNA/TIMP2 mRNA ratio was decreased by Ber. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of cell migration, adhesion to ECM and invasion into ECM of tumor cells and regulation of homeostasis between MMPs and TIMPs to maintain ECM integrity may be the basic mechanism of inhibitive effect of Ber on invasion and metastasis of tumors.

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of berberine’s inhibiting growth and metastasis of tumor by observing the effects of berberine on proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: Cultured HUVECs were incubated with berberine. MTT assay and quantitative immunocytochemistry were used to detect cell proliferation and the expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Morphologic changes of apoptosis were observed by fluorescent staining, and Rhodamin123 was used to determinate mitochondrial membrane potential under the laser confocal microscopy. RESULTS: HUVEC proliferation was inhibited by co-incubating with berberine (20 mg/L) for 24 h and berberine (10 mg/L, 20 mg/L) for 48 h (P

Objective To monitor the expression patterns of bcr-abl in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients during treatment with imatinib mesylate and evaluate the detection of MRD by RQ-PCR method. Methods The ABI Prism 7500 Sequence Detection System using Taqman fluorogenic probes was used to quantify target gene. bcr-abl mRNA was detected by RQ-PCR in 106 CML patients. The normalized quotient (NQ) of bcr-abl mRNA was calculated as followings: NQ=bcr-abl mRNA copy numbers/abl mRNA copy numbers. Results The NQ of BCR-ABL mRNA was well correlated with the progression of disease and the number of Ph+ cell (r =0.9824 and 0.9346, respectively). The NQ was decreased rapidly in 62 patients and kept in low level for a long time, and only 2 of them were relapsed. For 8 patients, after treatment the NQwere decreased initially and increased sharply, 7 of them were relapsed after 5-9 months. After treatment the NQ of 31 patients were still>0.1, 11 patients were relapsed after a short remission and 7 were ineffective or progression. Out of 5 patients whose NQ were fluctuated and had little regularity, but all of them had a continuing remission. Conclusion RQ-PCR is a more sensitive technique in the detection of bcr-abl fusion gene.It is an important method to monitor the tumor cell during the treatment with imatinib mesylate in CML patients.

Aim To investigate the effect of Trillium tschonoskii Maxim ( TTM ) ethanol extract on hypoxia ischemia brain damage ( HIBD ) in neonatal rats and potential mechanisms. Methods Fifty healthy SD rats of 7 day-old were randomly divided into three groups:the sham operation group ( n=10 ) , the model group ( n=20 ) and TTM treatment group ( n=20 ) , which received 3-day intraperitoneal injection of normal saline or ethanol extract of TTM respectively. TTC staining and Nissl staining were performed to detect the cerebral ischemia area and neuronal death. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. Re-sults The brain tissue of model group was slightly swollen, and white necrotic zone induced by ischemia occured on the right side of the brain, while the brain morphology of TTM treatment group was good. After TTC staining, ischemia zone was clearly seen on the right side of the brain in model group, while after TTM treatment, the size of ischemic zone was decreased. Compared with the model group , Nissl staining showed the neuronal cells increased in TTM treatment group. Western blot showed the expression of Bcl-2 protein in TTM group increased than that in HIBD model group ( P <0. 01 ) , while the expression of Bax protein de-creased ( P <0. 01 ) . Conclusion TTM therapy is beneficial for HIBD,which may be related to reducing neuronal apoptosis.

Objective To evaluate the clinical feasibility of localization CT enhanced image replacing plain CT scan image for target delineation and dose calculation.Methods Forty cases of NPC were collected and divided into two groups with different concentrations of contrast agents.The contours of planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs) of each case were delineated in the plain scan image,and the contours of PTV and OARs were copied to the enhanced image.Two plans based on the plain scan image and the enhanced image were designed in the planning system of Eclipse.The dose distribution and OARs and MU were compared between the groups.Results No statistical differences were found in the dosimetry of PTV,OARs and MU (P＞0.05).Conclusion The image intensifier has little effect on the dose calculation of Eclipse for NPC.In the radiotherapy for NPC,the localization CT enhanced image can be used to replace the plain CT scan image for target delineation and dose calculation.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is one of the most prevalent mental retardations. It is mainly caused by the loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). FMRP is an RNA binding protein and can regulate the translation of its binding RNA, thus regulate several signaling pathways. Many FXS patients show high susceptibility to epilepsy. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder which is characterized by the recurrent appearance of spontaneous seizures due to neuronal hyperactivity in the brain. Both the abnormal activation of several signaling pathway and morphological abnormality that are caused by the loss of FMRP can lead to a high susceptibility to epilepsy. Combining with the research progresses on both FXS and epilepsy, we outlined the possible mechanisms of high susceptibility to epilepsy in FXS and tried to give a prospect on the future research on the mechanism of epilepsy that happened in other mental retardations.
Brain ; physiopathology ; Epilepsy ; etiology ; genetics ; pathology ; Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fragile X Syndrome ; complications ; genetics ; Humans ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism

Objective To explore the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) apoptosis pathway in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mechanism of renal interstitial fibrosis in rats.Methods The rats were randomly divided into con-trol group and model group,UUO group line ligation of the left ureter,three days 3,7 and 14 days HE and Masson staining were used to observe the renal pathological changes;Take blood retinal venous plexus,separat and determina-tion of serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine;Western blot was used to find protein 78 (GRP78) glucose regula-tion,endoplasmic reticulum source sex transcription factor (CHOP) and apoptosis related proteins cysteine aspartic acid proteinase 3(caspase-3) and caspase-12 protein expression. Results Compared with control group,the visible UUO model group 1) expansion of renal tubule and renal interstitial fibrosis degree with the extension of ureteral ob-struction time and progressive increase;2) GRP78,CHOP,caspase-3 and caspase-12 protein expression in postoper-ative 3 d have to rise,as the obstruction prolonged,the protein expression more significantly(P<0.01).Conclusions Endoplasmic reticulum stress related trademark protein in UUO rat renal interstitial fibrosis is the increase in expres-sion may promote the early renal interstitial fibrosis and continuous progress.

Objective To explore the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) apoptosis pathway in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mechanism of renal interstitial fibrosis in rats.Methods The rats were randomly divided into con-trol group and model group,UUO group line ligation of the left ureter,three days 3,7 and 14 days HE and Masson staining were used to observe the renal pathological changes;Take blood retinal venous plexus,separat and determina-tion of serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine;Western blot was used to find protein 78 (GRP78) glucose regula-tion,endoplasmic reticulum source sex transcription factor (CHOP) and apoptosis related proteins cysteine aspartic acid proteinase 3(caspase-3) and caspase-12 protein expression. Results Compared with control group,the visible UUO model group 1) expansion of renal tubule and renal interstitial fibrosis degree with the extension of ureteral ob-struction time and progressive increase;2) GRP78,CHOP,caspase-3 and caspase-12 protein expression in postoper-ative 3 d have to rise,as the obstruction prolonged,the protein expression more significantly(P<0.01).Conclusions Endoplasmic reticulum stress related trademark protein in UUO rat renal interstitial fibrosis is the increase in expres-sion may promote the early renal interstitial fibrosis and continuous progress.

Objective This study was operated to investigate the association between urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and physical situations as hypertension and prehypertension among women.Methods Blood pressure,height,weight and waist circumference were measured and factors such as cigarette smoking,alcohol intake,family history of hypertension,were investigated.Blood glucose and lipid,serum uric acid,urinary albumin and urinary creatinine were tested on 1796 women aged ≥30 years living in the Jinchang district of Suzhou.Associations between UACR and hypertension as well as prehypertension were analyzed,by using ordinal multinomial logistic regression models.Results The mean levels of UACR were 15.54 (7.67,32.53),9.01 ( 5.45,18.06),7.13 (4.60,12.50 ) mg/g and the rates of higher UACR were 27.57％,13.42％,9.61％ in hypertensive,pre-hypertensive and normotensive subjects,respectively,with significant differences noticed among the three groups (P＜0.05).The average systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure appeared to be 125.3/80.9,128.8/82.7,130.8/84.0 and 135.1/85.9 mm Hg for participants with UACR in the first,second,third and fourth quartile,respectively.The risks of prehypertension or hypertension increased with increasing UACR levels.Dose-response relationship was seen between UACR and risks of prehypertension or hypertension.Multivariable adjusted odds ratios (95％CI) of prehypertension or hypertension in the upper quartiles of UACR were 1.32 ( 1.02,1.70),1.72 ( 1.32,2.24),and 2.37 (1.80,3.11 ),respectively,when compared with the lowest quartile.Conclusion Elevated UACR was associated with both hypertension and prehypertension among women.