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 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.

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.

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

OBJECTIVETo locate the region responsible for nuclear localization of protein sAC.

METHODSThe eukaryotic expression vector of vairous sAC deletion mutants were transfected into Hela cells. The localization of each mutant was observed using confocal microscope.

RESULTSFor some mutants, the localization of sAC changed. Deletion of some region made it unable to locate in the nuclear.

CONCLUSIONIt is possible to figure out that the nucleotide region (739-1038 and 1045-1261) take charge of nuclear localization of sAC.

Adenylyl Cyclases ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo search for the susceptibility variant (s) of type 2 diabetes in the susceptible regions on chr.1 (1p36.23-36.33, 1q24.3-25.1, and 1q42.12-42.13) by genotyping SNP markers in case-control DNA samples and identifying the haplotype associated with type 2 diabetes.

METHODSTotally 124 SNPs in 33 candidate genes in the mapped regions were chosen from public SNP data or identified by sequencing the samples that were used to search for SNP locus. Sequencing method was used to genotype the loci for 236 sporadic type 2 diabetes patients and 152 normal subjects in Northern Han Chinese population. The haplotypes with significant difference were further analyzed.

RESULTSOf 124 SNPs successfully typed, 4 SNPs that showed association with diabetes status were found: rs203849 (P=0.005, OR=1.60) and rs203826 (P=0.016, OR=1.60) located in sAC gene, rs7535528 (P=0.028, OR=1.45) located in PANK4, rs884363 (P=0.043, OR=1.37) located in CASP9 gene. In addition, the frequencies of two combination types from these 4 SNP genotypes were significantly different between case and control groups (P < 0.001). Furthermore, four haplotypes associated with diabetes were found in haplotype analysis of sAC gene.

CONCLUSIONsAC, PANK4, and CA SP9 may be associated with type 2 diabetes in Han population in north China, and it seems that the synergetic effect of these genes is responsible for the development of type 2 diabetes.

Adult ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Caspase 9 ; Caspases ; genetics ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genetic Testing ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide