AIM:To explore the protective effects of berberine (Ber) on islet beta cells and related possible mechanisms.METHODS:The injury of INS-1 cells was induced by treatment with alloxan ( Axn) .Berverine was then given at serial concentrations.The cells were divided into control group ( Con) , injury group ( Axn) , low-dose berberine group (LBer), medium-dose berberine group (MBer) and high-dose berberine group (HBer).Flow cytometry was em-ployed to detect the apoptosis.The activation of PTEN/PI3K/Akt and HNF-1α/PDX-1 pathways and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 were evaluated by Western blotting.The insulin releases under normal or high-glucose stimulation were measured by ELISA.RESULTS:Compared with Con group, the apoptotic rate increased significantly in Axn group.Ber-berine treatment reduced the apoptotic rate in LBer group, MBer group and HBer group in a concentration-dependent man-ner.Compared with Con group, the protein levels of PTEN and cleaved caspase-3 increased, while PI3K and phosphoryla-tion of Akt decreased significantly in Axn group.However, this effect was reversed by berberine in a concentration-depend-ent manner.Compared with Con group, the activation of HNF-1α/PDX-1 signaling pathway was inhibited in Axn group but recovered by berberine administration.The abilities of releasing insulin under normal or high-glucose stimulation were im-paired in Axn group but recovered by berberine treatment in LBer group, MBer group and HBer group in a concentration-dependent manner.CONCLUSION:Berberine shows protective effects against alloxan-induced damage in beta cells by in-hibiting apoptosis and recovering insulin secretion, thus attenuating the activation of PTEN/PI3K/Akt and HNF-1α/PDX-1 signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the effects of sulforaphane (SFN) on the proliferation of prostate cancer DU145 cells and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-lα) expression,and to explore the possibility of SFN in the prevention of prostate cancers.Methods The DU145 cells were treated with different doses and different time of SFN.The cell proliferation viability were measured by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-zy1)-3,3,5-di-phenytetrazo`liumromide (MTT) proliferation and cytotoxicity assay kit.The hypoxia tumor microenvironment was stimulated by pretreating cells with 1％ O2,HIF-lα expression and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) activitity were detected by Western-blot and ELISA,respectively.Results SFN had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human prostate cancer DU145 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.The cell proliferation inhibition rate exceeded 50％ in more than 20 μ mol/L SFN-treated groups after 48 hours.SFN could inhibit the expression of HIF-1α induced by 1％ O2 and VEGF activity.10 μmol/L SFN showed inhibitory effect on the expression of HIF-1α after 24 hours.20 μ mol/L SFN showed a significant inhibitory effect on the expression of HIF-1α after 12 hours.And peroxidase had synergistic inhibition on HIF-1α.Conclusions SFN can inhibit the proliferation of DU145 prostate cancer cells and HIF-lα expression.SFN can be used as a potential chemotherapeutic agent against human prostate cancer.

Objective To detect estrogen receptor and DNA index in breast cancer by flow cytometry. Methods 32 cases of fresh specimens of breast cancer resected by operation were used in this study. Single cells suspension was prepared from those specimens, and estrogen receptor expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. At the same time, the status of ploid and S phase cell ratio were determined. Results Flow cytometry analysis could measure the expression level of estrogen receptor in the fresh breast cancer specimens, which was more sensitive and needed less volume of tumor tissue compared with immuohistochemical method. The information on the status of ploid and S phase cell ratio were simultaneously obtained. Conclusion The detection of estrogen receptor in breast cancers by flow cytometry was more helpful for evaluating prognosis and selecting treatment.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Wenxin granule on the related indexes of senile patients with primary hy-pertension and acute left cardiac failure. METHODS:160 senile patients with primary hypertension and acute left cardiac failure were randomly divided into control group(80 cases)and observation group(80 cases). Control group received 12.5 mg captopril, orally,twice to 3 times a day (if patients had taken plenty of diuretic drugs,in low sodium and/or low blood volume,patients with normal or low blood pressure,the initial dose was 6.25 mg,3 times a day). Observation group additionally given 9 g of Wenxin granule,3 times a day. The treatment course for both groups was 4 weeks. SBP,DBP,PP,SDANN,SDNN-Index,RMS-SD,PNN50,improvement of cardiac functions before and after treatment,and incidence of adverse reactions in 2 groups were ob-served. RESULTS:After treatment,the SBP,DBP and PP in 2 groups were significantly lower than before,and observation group was lower than control group,SDNN,SDANN,SDNN-Index、RMSSD and PNN 50 were significantly higher than before,and ob-servation group was higher than control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). And there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Based on conventional treatment,wenxin granule can significantly reduce the bloop pressure of senile patients with primary hypertension and acute left cardiac failure,improve cardiac functions and inhibit autonomic disorders,with good safety.

Since the HLA system is one of the most complex human genetic polym- orphisms,its application in forensic medicine included disputed paternity and criminal identification,have been fairly recognized. The present paper reported the results of our study about the HLA typing in human blood stain,serum and saliva,it was concluded that:(1).The existed strong anti-complementary activity in human blood stain when the amount of complement used in microlym-phocytotoxicity inhibition test(MLIT) was incresed to 10?l,it was found that the results of HLA-All,-B 5 typing in bloodstains were all correct,and the detectable period was at least 90 days; (2).The soluble HLA-A antigens in human serum could reliable detected with MLIT;(3).The soluble HLA-A antigens were also present in the human siliva.

Objective To investigate effect of mild hypothermia on changes of somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and synaptophysin mRNA level after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and determine hypothermia-induced neuroprotection.Methods Forty-five SD rats were allocated into mild hypothermia group,TBI group and sham operation group with 15 rats per group according to the random number table.Left-side fluid percussion impact was performed to induce models of TBI.Rats were exposed to hypothermia environment (32-35℃) for 6 hours in mild hypothermia group after TBI.Rats in sham operation group were treated by only drilling on left side of the head,rather than hitting.To evaluate function outcome,modified neurological severity score (mNSS),SEP and synaptophysin mRNA level were measured at 6 hours,24 hours and 7 days postinjury.Results The mNSS in mild hypothermia group lowered compared with TBI group,especially at 24 hours and 7 days (P ＜ 0.05).SEP in mild hypothermia group was significantly shortened at 6 and 24 hours compared with TBI group (P ＜ 0.05),but SEP revealed no significant difference among the 3 groups at 7 days (P ＞ 0.05).Level of synaptophysin mRNA in mild hypothermia group increased at 6 hours postinjury compared with TBI group [(0.08 ± 0.02) vs (0.12 ±0.04)],with further increase at 7 days postinjury[(0.06 ± 0.01) vs (0.33 ± 0.10)] (P ＜0.05).Conclusion The shortage of nerve conduction time of the injured side and promotion of nerve regeneration suggest the neuroprotective role of mild hypothermia following TBI.

Objective To investigate the effects of rosiglitazone (RSG) on glycemia and ?-cell function in type 2 diabetic patients. Mothods Open-label and self-match trial was carried out. 31 cases of type 2 diabetic patients were divided into RSG monotherapy group (n=13), RSG plus metformin group (n=9), and RSG plus sulphonylureas group. All the patients received treatment for 12 weeks. Weight, body mass index, FBG, FINS, blood pressure, TG, Tch, HDL, LDL, ALT, AST and TBIL were determined before and after therapy. The insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and ?-cell function (HOMA-?) of the patients were evaluated using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Results Compared with before treatment, there was a significant improvement in FBG, FINS, HOMA-? and HOMA-IR in all the patients after treatment (FBG 8.89?2.49mmol/L, FINS 17.89?5.78mU/L, HOMA-? 79.75?41.28,HOMA-IR 7.15?3.40 vs FBG 7.27?2.26mmol/L, FINS 14.33?3.82mU/L,HOMA-? 120.84?140.66,HOMA-IR 4.63?1.81, respectively,P

To examine the effect of Gankang Suppository on duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV), the serum biochemistry and hepatic histology in an animal model of DHBV infection, a model of DHBV infection was established by infecting 1-day-old Yingtaogu ducklings with DHBV-positive serum. The successful model was confirmed by PCR assay and 48 ducklings infected with DHBV were randomly divided into 3 groups: a Gankang Suppository treatment group, an acyclovir (ACV) group and a DHBV model group (control), with each group having 16 animals. All the animals were given the medicines for 4 weeks in a row. The serum of the animals was taken 14 and 28 days after the medication and 7 days after drug discontinuation. Real-time PCR was performed to detect the copy numbers of DHBV DNA in the serum. ALT and AST were dynamically monitored. The ducklings were sacrificed on the 7th day after the discontinuation of the treatment and livers were harvested and examined for inflammation and degeneration of liver cells by using HE staining. The results showed that on day 14, 28 after the treatment and day 7 after the withdrawal, the logarithmic values (log) of DHBV DNA copy numbers in ducklings of Gankang Suppository treatment group were significantly lower than that before the treatment (P=0.0092, P=0.0070, P=0.0080, respectively). Compared with DHBV model control group, the ALT level was significantly decreased (P=0.0020, P=0.0019, respectively) on day 28 after the treatment and on day 7 after the withdrawal. The AST level was also reduced on day 14 after the treatment (P=0.0298). Compared with the ACV control group, the level of ALT was lower on day 7 after the withdrawal (P=0.0016). Histologically, the hepatocyte swelling, vacuolous degeneration and acidophilic degeneration in Gankang Suppository treatment group were alleviated 7 days after the withdrawal as compared with model control group (P=0.0282, P=0.0084, P=0.0195, respectively). It is concluded that Gankang Suppository can effectively suppress DHBV replication, reduce the levels of serum ALT and AST and improve hepatic histology.

Objective To study the inhibition of anti-PDGF on proliferation of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells(hRPE) in vitro.Methods hRPE were cultivated and were exposed to different concentrations of anti-PDGF(0,1?10-6,5?10-6,1?10-5,5?10-5 and 1?10-4 mg?L-1) respectively .Growth curves were measured with cell counting and the vitalities of cells were examined by percentage of vital cells and total cells.Using MTT staining colorimetric to measure the inhibitory rate.The changes of cell cycle of hRPE were collected and their growth were detected with FCM analysis and the morphological changes of cells were observed by light microscope and electron microscope.Results Anti-PDGF of 1?10-6mg?L-1 stimulated hRPE proliferation slightly.AntiPDGF at dosages ranging from 5?10-6mg?L-1 to 1?10-4mg?L-1 inhibited cell proliferation effectively in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner(P

OBJECTIVE To analyze the sequence of IMP-4 metallo-?-lactamases(MBLs) encoding gene from clinical isolates of multiple-drug-resistant Klebsiella oxytoca strains and attempt to know the integrons composing the drug resistance gene box.METHODS The antibiotic sensitivity test of multi-resistant K.oxytoca strains was done according to Kirby-Bauer method of CLSI 2005,and the double disk synergy test and Etest were for detecting their MBLs.The Class 1 integrons were detected by PCR.The purified amplicons of Class l integrons were sequenced.The type and order of gene cassettes in integrons were analyzed by searching GenBank.RESULTS The K.oxytoca was resistant to carbapenems,the third-generation cephalosporins,cefoxitin,quinolones,cefoperazone/sulbactam,sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim,amoxicillin/clavulanate,ticacillin/clavulanate,piperacillin,cefepime,rifampicin and piperacillin/tazobatam,only susceptible to amikacin and polymyxin B.The IMP-4 metallo-?-lactamases,aadA1,AmpC,CTX-M-14,qacE△1-sull and intI1 were positive.CONCLUSIONS Integrons are important molecular mechanism in the development of multidrug resistance.There are resistance gene boxes in them.