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.

Objective To induce the mutation of HPV-16 E7 in two zinc-binding motifs near the C terminus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and evaluate the effect of this mutation on the antigen-specific immunity of HPV-16 E7. Methods HPV-16 E7 fragment was amplified by PCR and cloned into pGEM-3zf vector. Two site mutations at 58 and 91 animo acid sites in the open reading frame of HPV-16 E7 were induced by PCR, and then the molecular clones of HPV-16 E7 wild type (pcDNA3.1/E7) and mutant (pcDNA3.1/ME7) were successfully reconstructed. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of E7 protein. Results Intracellular fluorescence signals were observed in the cells transfected with pcDNA3.1/E7 and pcDNA3.1/ME7 24 hours after transfection, but the signals in the cells transfected with pcDNA3.1/ME7 disappeared 48 hours after tansfection. Twenty-four and 48 hours after transfection with pcDNA3.1/ME7, E7 protein was not detected by Western blot. Conclusions The stability of HPV-16 E7 protein is reduced by mutations (C58G, C91G) near two zinc-binding motifs. It is suggested that the zinc-binding motifs near the C terminus of HPV-16 E7 may be important for maintaining the stability of E7 protein.

OBJECTIVETo observe the differential effect of joint ultrasound on the syndrome differentiation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by observing the high frequency ultrasound performances among inactive stage and different syndromes in active stage.

METHODSTotally 83 RA patients in the active stage were assigned to the dampness heat syndrome group (DHS, 59 cases)and the cold dampness syndrome group (CDS, 24 cases) according to Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome typing. Besides, 20 RA patients in the remission stage were recruited as the control group (abbreviated as the remission group). By using high frequency ultrasound and power Doppler ultrasound technology, a comparative observation of synovitis, tenosynovitis, synovial blood flow, and bone erosion in the 2nd-5th metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, wrist joints, knee joints, the second and the fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints (a total of 24 joints) was performed in all patients. Correlation analyses were performed between the ultrasound performance, laboratory indices, and the disease activity. Ultrasound data of each RA patient were analyzed by their total scores. Χ2 test was used for enumeration data. The measurement data was expressed as x ± s. One-way ANOVA was used for data of normal distribution, while non- parametric test was used for data of non-normal distribution. Correlation analysis of two variables was performed for clinical indicators and ultrasound indicators. Its significance was detected using Pearson correlation.

RESULTSCompared with the remission group, the severity degree of synovitis, tenosynovitis, synovial blood flow, and bone erosion significantly increased in the DHS group (P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in ESR, CRP, anti-CCP, DAS28 score, and the positive rate of RF (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in the severity degree of synovitis and synovial blood flow, and DAS28 score in the CDS group (P < 0.05). Compared with the CDS group, there was statistical difference in the four ultrasound indices (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), ESR, CRP, anti-CCP, DAS28 score, and the positive rate of RF in the DHS group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in G, IgG, IgA, or IgM among the three groups (P > 0.05). There existed positive correlation between ESR and the synovitis degree, synovial blood flow, and bone erosion in the DHS group (r = 0.444, 0.397, 0.486, P < 0.05).There existed positive correlation between ESR and the synovitis degree, bone erosion, and synovial blood flow in the DHS group (r = 0.378, 0.270, P < 0.05). There existed positive correlation between the DAS28 score and the synovitis degree and synovial blood flow in the DHS group (r = 0.304, 0.351, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe inflammation degree was the most severe in RA patients of DHS. High frequency ultrasound could provide better evidence for Chinese medical syndrome differentiation of RA patients.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; ultrastructure ; Syndrome ; Synovitis ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

Objective To study the correlation between 5-serotonin transporter ( 5-HTT) gene pol-ymorphism and the first episode major depressive disorder ( MDD ) and cognitive function in adolescent. Methods 5-HTT genotype and allele were detected by polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) amplification of 76 patients with first episode of MDD and 73 normal controls. Case control method was used to analyze the correlation between different genotypes and the onset, the clinical features, and cognitive function. Result-s There was no significant difference between 5-HTTLPR genotype frequencies for the 41 cases of type S/S (53.9%),27 cases of type L/S(35.5%),8 cases of type L/L(10.5%)of case group and 5-HTTLPR geno-type frequencies for the 38 cases of type S/S(52.1%),18 cases of type L/S(24.7%),17 cases of type L/L (23.3%) of control group(P>0.05).Patients with S/S type,L/S type had significantly higher sleep scores than those of patients with type L/L(P=0.005,P=0.001). Agitation score in patients with S/S type group was significantly higher than that in patients with S/L,L/L(P=0.000,P=0.001);patients with S/S inferior-ity scores were significantly lower than those of patients with S/L,L/L(P=0.002,P=0.006). There was no significant difference in cognitive function among three groups. Conclusions In Chinese Han population, there may be no direct association between 5-HTTLPR gene polymorphism and susceptibility to MDD and its cognitive function in adolescents. S/S and L/S patients may be prone to sleep problems,type S/S patients may be prone to irritability and type L/L patients may be prone to inferiority.

Objective To compare 99Tcm-MIBI MPI with delayed enhancement MRI (DE-MRI) in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM). Methods Forty patients with IDCM were included. They underwent both rest 99Tcm-MIBI myocardial perfusion imaging and DE-MRI within 7 days. 99Tcm-MIBI MPI was performed to identify diffuse or segmental abnormal perfusion patterns including reduced or defect perfusion segments. DE-MRI images were divided into 4 categories: no delayed enhancement, septal, subendocardial and transmural delayed enhancement, x2 test was used for data analysis. Results Diffuse and segmental perfusion abnormality on 99Tcm-MIBI MPI were found in 19 (47.5%) and 21 (52.5%)patients respectively, while DE-MRI enhancement was simultaneously found in 5 patients of the former (5/19, 26.3%) and 18 (18/21, 85.7%) of the latter (x2 =14.401, P＜0. 001). For those (n=18) with both segmental perfusion abnormality and DE-MRI enhancement, the number of segments of the 4 DE-MRI respectively. A significant difference was found in the DE-MRI enhancement categories between normal and defect perfusion segments (x2 = 29. 183, P ＜0.001 ) and between reduced and defect perfusion segments as well (x2 =25. 110, P＜0. 001). Conclusions Both diffuse and segmental perfusion abnormalities on 99Tcm-MIBI MPI can be found in patients with IDCM. DE-MRI enhancement is more frequently found in patients with segmental perfusion abnormality.

OBJECTIVETo study the absorption, translocation and accumulation of N, P and K on Achyranthes bidentata.

METHODThe contents of N, P and K were determined by mean of sulfuric acid-hydrogen peroxide assimilating method, vanadium-ammonium molybdate colorimetric method and flame photometric method, respectively.

RESULTThe contents of N, P and K in the plant were decreasing during the growth period. The absorption rates of the three nutrients by A. Bidentata showed double-peak curves in the whole growth period, maximum absorption rate appeared in the middle ten days of October. About 8.59 kg of N, 1.36 kg of P and 7.40 kg of K were needed to produce each 100 kg root.

CONCLUSIONThe key nutrients absorption period is in the first ten days of September and in the middle ten days of October.

Achyranthes ; metabolism ; Biological Transport ; Nitrogen ; metabolism ; Phosphorus ; metabolism ; Potassium ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThis study investigated the inhibitory effect of berberine (BBR) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression via the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling cascade pathways in human peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC).

METHODSPBMC from whole blood were isolated and cultured for up to 24 hours after division into 5 groups treated with LPS, LPS + BBR 25 micromol/L, LPS + BBR 50 micromol/L or LPS + BBR 100 micromol/L and untreated. Monocytes were extracted for RT-PCR and Western blot analyses to examine COX-2 mRNA and protein activated expression of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signalling pathways.

RESULTSCOX-2 mRNA and protein expression decreased to a minimum at 12 hours after BBR treatment (P < 0.05). With the increasing concentration of BBR treatment, the COX-2 expression decreased progressively (P < 0.01). With BBR treatment for 6, 12 or 24 hours at three doses, ERK1/2 protein expression was significantly inhibited. For the JNK pathway, only with the treatment of BBR at the concentration of 100 micromol/L was JNK protein expression inhibited compared with the LPS stimulation group (P < 0.01). Irrespective of the BBR concentration, no difference was shown between the BBR group and the LPS group for p38MAPK protein expression. Human monocytes COX-2 mRNA, by RT-PCR, and protein expression, by Western blot analysis, were inhibited when incubated with PD98059, SP600125 and SB203580 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBerberine inhibits COX-2 expression via the ERK1/2 signalling pathway and, possibly, at a high dosage via the JNK pathway. P38MAPK may have no relationship with the effect of BBR in PBMC. Berberine inhibited COX-2 mRNA and protein expression in a dose dependent manner and suppressed COX-2 expression to a minimal level after 12 hours of berberine treatment.

Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Humans ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDFibrinogen-depleting agents are promising in the treatment of cerebral ischemic disease. They were studied by many trials, and the outcomes were different because of different regimens and different doses. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of defibrase on acute cerebral infarction in China.

METHODSA search using Chinese hospital knowledge database (CHKD) and MEDLINE database for randomized controlled trials was carried out. A CHKD (1994 June 2005) search was performed with the keyword "defibrase", then a second search for the keyword "acute cerebral infarction"; a MEDLINE search (1950 June 2005) was performed with the following keywords: [(cerebral ischemia), OR (acute cerebral infarction), OR (stroke)], AND [defibrase]. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan software 4.2.

RESULTSIncluded were 14 studies comparing the efficiency and safety of defibrase with other drugs in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. Patients' records were pooled (total 646 patients; defibrase, n = 328, no defibrase n = 318). Neurological deficit score (NDS) before treatment showed weighted mean differences (WMD) = 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (-0.60, 2.50), P = 0.23; NDS after treatment showed WMD = -2.20, 95% CI = (-4.21, -0.18), P = 0.03; Barthel index at 3 months showed WMD = 4.45, 95% CI = (-0.13, 9.03), P = 0.06; the plasma fibrinogen level before treatment showed WMD = 0.02, 95% CI = (-0.16, 0.19), P = 0.86; plasma fibrinogen level after treatment showed WMD = -1.51, 95% CI = (-1.88, -1.15), P < 0.00 001.

CONCLUSIONSWith the given dose and regimen of defibrase in China, defibrase may play a role of anticoagulation. It might inhibit the progression of stroke and prevent the recurrence of stroke.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Batroxobin ; therapeutic use ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; drug therapy ; Fibrinogen ; analysis ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment method for collapse separation fractures of lateral tibial condyle.

METHODSFrom January 2003 to October 2008, 45 patients with collapse separation fractures of lateral tibial condyle were treated by surgical method, including 27 males and 18 females,ranging in age from 15 to 76 years,with an average of 37 years. The duration from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 14 days. All of the patients preoperatively underwent X-ray examinations in order to accurately understand the extent of fracture and fracture collapse. All of the 45 fractures with collapse more than 2 mm and widen more than 5 mm were selected for surgical treatment. The lateral surgical approach was used to expose the lateral margin of the lateral meniscus first, and then the reduction of the lateral meniscus and lateral condyle were achieved. The results after operation were evaluated by the Rasmussen criteria, as well as the complications of the knee joint pain, the joint activity, the infection, deep venous thrombosis and recurrent fracture collapse.

RESULTSPostoperative X-ray showed anatomical reduction was achieved in 31 patients, 14 patients got nearly anatomical reduction. The plate and screw position were satisfactory. Forty-two patients were followed up,and the duration ranged from 6 to 12 months, with an average of 10 months. Fracture re-displacement,postoperative infection and deep venous thrombosis did not occur after the lifting of external fixation. All the patients had pain disappeared about 10 days after operation,and had no vertical axis percussion tenderness at 3 weeks after operation. The X-ray showed fractures was healed in all patients at 3 months after operation. Joint activity Rasmussen assessment criteria results: 37 patients got an excellent result, 7 good, 1 poor.

CONCLUSIONThe incarceration of lateral meniscus and the collapsed bone fragments are two factors which make the reduction of the lateral tibial condyle difficult.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery