AIM: To investigate the effect of detoxifying herbs polygonum cuspidatum, and hawthorn, herb of promoting blood flow, on pathologic morphology and inflammatory factors in apolipoprotein E gene knockout mice, in order to approach the possible regulatory mechanism of polygonum cuspidatum and hawthorn for treating artherosclerosis (AS) unstable plaque. METHODS: The animals were divided into 7 groups (12 mice in every group). The ApoE (-/-) mice fed with high fat diet were divided into polygonum cuspidatum group, hawthorn group, polygonum cuspidatum + hawthorn group, Xuezhikang group and high fat diet model group. Moreover, ApoE (-/-) mice fed with normal diet (normal diet group) and C57BL/6J mice fed with normal diet (normal control group) were set up. After intragastric administration for 17 weeks, serum hs-CRP was detected, aorta structure was observed under light microscope and NF-κB protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The pathological change of AS in aorta in all groups fed with high fat diet and normal diet group were observed with different degree. The changes of aortic lesion in all treatment groups were reduced. The levels of NF-κB and hs-CRP in high fat diet group were significant higher than those in normal control group and normal diet group. Serum NF-κB and hs-CRP levels decreased in every treatment group, which were significant different from those in high fat diet model group (P<0.01). Among them, the changes in polygonum cuspidatum and hawthorn groups were the best. CONCLUSION: Chinese herbs of polygonum cuspidatum and hawthorn reduce inflammatory factors NF-κB and hs-CRP expression and play a role in anti-AS formation.

The optic-fiber sensor technology combined with near-infrared diffuse reflection spectroscopy was applied to directly analyze Peganum harmala and identify different origin of P. harmala on the basis of principal component analysis, clustering analysis, SIMCA method, which resulted in the establishment of a new method to rapidly and nondestructively identify the origin of P. harmala. The original full wavelength spectrum for principal component analysis and the score of first two principal components can distinguish four origins of P. harmala basically. In the wavelength range of 866-2,507 nm, MSC as pretreatment method to establish the best model of clustering analysis to forecast the samples with the accuracy of 91.67%, can distinguish the four origins of P. harmala while in the wavelength of 1,085-2,507 nm, normalization method as pretreatment methods to establish a best model of SIMCA to forecast the sample, all the samples except for the changji sample have been identified with a total recognition rate of 97.22%. The results show that using near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy combined with SIMCA is the best method that can be effectively used to identify the P. harmala.
Cluster Analysis ; Models, Theoretical ; Peganum ; chemistry ; Principal Component Analysis ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods

Abstract: Objective　This study aims to explore the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) among the adults in Hainan Province, and to provide scientific basis for MS prevention and control. Methods　A multi-stage cluster random sampling method was applied to select 3 690 permanent residents aged 18 years and above in Hainan Province. The survey was conducted by trained investigators using household appointments and centralized surveys. A questionnaire survey, physical measurement, and laboratory examination were conducted after the collection of blood samples. The processed samples were then tested by a quality-controlled laboratory. Finally, we analysed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its relationship with population characteristics and health-related behaviors. Results　The crude prevalence of MS in the population aged 18 and above in Hainan province was 19.46% and the standardized prevalence was 13.21%, with a higher rate in urban areas (22.21%) than in rural areas (18.13%). The prevalence of MS increased with age (P<0.001), and there were significant differences in MS prevalence among different marital and occupational statuses (P<0.01). Logistic regression results indicated that the age groups of 40-<50 years (OR=2.986, 95%CI:1.355-6.580), 50-<60 years (OR=3.739, 95%CI: 1.715-8.151), 60-<70 years (OR=3.890, 95%CI: 1.769-8.556), 70 years and above (OR=3.927, 95%CI: 1.758-8.771), technical, transportation and production personnel (OR=1.579, 95%CI: 1.033-2.412), retired (OR=1.788, 95%CI: 1.415-2.259), unemployed (OR=1.503, 95%CI: 1.044-2.165), smoking cessation (OR=1.582, 95%CI: 1.162-2.154), insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables (OR=1.196, 95%CI: 1.005-1.422), and insufficient physical activity (OR=1.437, 95%CI: 1.155-1.787) were all associated with the prevalence of MS. Among the investigated subjects, 30.22% of them had one abnormal component, with hyperglycemia being the highest (54.44%); 24.25% of them had two abnormal components, with "hyperglycemia + hypertension" being the highest (33.30%); and 19.46% had three or more components, with "overweight/obesity + hyperglycemia + hypertension" being the highest (24.79%). Conclusions　The prevalence of MS in Hainan Province is on the rise, and effective lifestyle intervention measures are needed to reduce the risk of MS.

Alleles ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype

In total, 607 bedridden patients aged 60 years and over at Tianlin community hospital and four other hospitals or at home-care in Shanghai were investigated with questionnaire, physical examinations and related laboratory tests. Contents of investigation include general situation, medical conditions, 24-hour recall of diet, intake of nutritional supplement preparation, and so on. As compare to the reference for nutrient intake of the elderly set in the Guide to Diet for Chinese Residents (2007), total nutritional intake was obviously insufficient and three nutrients in diet were imbalanced for most bedridden elderly patients. Intake of most nutrients (including proteins, dietary fiber, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium,copper, magnesium, phosphor, retinol equivalent, vitamin B1 , vitamin B2, vitamin C) was obviously low in bedridden elderly patients, with a larger gap from the requirements of the Dietary Guide.

Objective To explore the effects of lower esophageal leiomyoma on esophageal dynamics.Methods A total of 25 patients with lower esophageal leiomyoma,31 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and 16 healthy controls were selected.The differences of high resolution esophageal manometry results were compared among the groups.The t-test or one way analysis of variance was performed for normally distributed measurement data comparison.Rank sum test was used for non-normally distributed measurement data comparison.Results Among 25 patients with lower esophageal leiomyoma,14 patients accompanied with acid reflux,heartburn,chest pain or other GERD symptoms.In the group of patients with lower esophageal leiomyoma,the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP),the lower esophageal sphincter relaxation rate (LESRR),low esophageal body pressure and peristaltic contraction percentage were (9.00 ± 6.30) mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa),53.0 ％ (0,334.0％),(34.66±18.33) mmHg and 55.6％ (0,100.0％),respectively,which were lower than those of the healthy control group ((16.25 ± 3.71) mmHg,86.5％ (49.0％,103.0％),(57.75 ± 22.49) mmHg,100.0％ (80.0％,100.0％)),and the differences were statistically significant (t=-4.150,Z=-2.353,t=-3.601,Z=-3.798; all P＜0.05).However there were no significant differences in esophageal dynamics indexes between patients with lower esophageal leiomyoma accompanied GERD symptoms and without GERD symptoms (all P＞0.05).There were no significant differences in esophageal dynamics indexes between the GERD patients and patients with lower esophageal leiomyoma accompanied GERD symptoms (all P＞0.05).LESRR level of patients with lower esophageal leiomyoma (71.4％(45.5％,150.0％)) increased after endoscopic submcosal dissection (Z=-2.194,P=0.028).Conclusions Lower esophageal leiomyoma may affect esophageal motor function,which contributed to anti-reflux esophageal function decline.Lower esophageal leiomyoma combined with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms are not uncommon.

Objective:To study the spinal cord injury, spinal cord transection and persistent placeholder damage on the influence of secondary neural cell apoptosis in rats.Methods: Select 60 healthy male Wistar rats, numbered after using the random number table method is divided into A (18,spinal cord contusion),B (18,spinal cord transection),C (18,continuous placeholder),D (6,control),E (6,the control group only) groups of five,were observed at the 1,4,7 D after 5 group of rats nerve cell apoptosis index, spinal cord tissue Bcl-2,the expression of Bax,caspase 3 protein.Results:A,B,C three groups of rats after building 1 d are gray and white matter positive markers, and the gray matter and white matter of three groups of rats nerve cell apoptosis index differences statistically significant ( P<0.05);4 d,7 d after building gray matter and white matter of three groups of rats tend to place increased ap-optotic cells in the spinal cord index ( P<0.05);in building 1,4,7 d group C after rat spinal cord grey matter and white matter of apoptotic cell index was significantly higher than that of group A and group B, group B were significantly higher in group A and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).1,4,7 d after building A,B,C,D,E five group rats the Bcl-2,Bax,caspase-3 protein expression differences were statistically significant (P<0.05),1,4,7 d after building A,B,C the Bcl-2 of three groups of rats, Bax,caspase-3 protein expression was significantly higher than that of group D and group E ( P<0.05).Conclusion: Secondary rats after spinal cord injury of nerve cells apoptosis,apoptosis time,severity,and damage type and severity.

Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; Cardiomyopathies ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Myocardium ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo analyze the reversal effect of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (BYD) on multidrug resistance of human adenocarcinoma of lung cell line A549/DDP, and to study its effect on the expression of survivin by using serum pharmacological methods in vitro. Methods Totally 24 SD rats were divided into the high, medium and low dose groups, and the blank control group by randomized controlled method. The high dose BYD containing serum (1. 134 g/mL, 2 mL), the middle dose BYD containing serum (0.576 g/mL, 2 mL), and the low dose BYD containing serum (0.284 g/mL, 2 mL) were prepared. The inhibitory effects of different dose and concentrations BYD on the proliferation of A549 and A549/DDP cells were detected by MTT assay, and the drug resistance reversal fold was calculated. The expression of Survivin in the two cell strains were detected respectively by immunohistochemical assay, Western blot, and immunofluorescence method.

RESULTSBYD containing serum showed obvious inhibitory effect on the growth of A549 and 549/DDP. The inhibition rates of 10% dose groups were higher than those of 5% dose groups. Besides, it gradually increased along with increased concentrations. Compared with 10% blank control group, the inhibition rate increased in 10% middle and low dose groups (P <0.05). After acted with 10% middle dose BYD containing serum, IC50, of A549 and A549/DDP were both reduced (P <0.05), reversal fold (RF) both increased. Its reversal ratio on A549/DDP cells was 2. 46, decreasing the resistance of A549/DDP to DDP. Compared with A549 in the same group, the expression of Survivin was detected to decrease by immunocytochemical assay, Western blot, and immunofluorescence method (P<0.05). Compared with 10% blank control group, the inhibition rate decreased in 10% middle dose group (P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONS10% middle dose BYD containing serum could significantly inhibit the apoptosis of A549 and A549/DDP. Besides, it could moderately reverse the multidrug resistance of A549/DDP cells to DDP possibly through reducing the intracellular expression of Survivin and enhancing the sensitivity 549/DDP to chemotherapeutics.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; pharmacology ; Rats

Objective:To determine the clinicopathological significance of the DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B)overexpression in endometrial carcinomas and to evaluate its correlation with hormone re-ceptor status.Methods:Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression of DNMT3B and hormone receptors in 104 endometrial carcinomas.Results:DNMT3B overexpression occurred frequently in endometrioid carcinoma (EC,54.8%)more than in nonendometrioid carcinoma (NEC,30.0%) with statistical significance (P =0.028).Furthermore,there was a trend that EC with worse clinico-pathological variables and shorter survival had a higher DNMT3B expression,and the correlation between DNMT3B and tumor grade reached statistical significance (P =0.019).A negative correlation between DNMT3B and estrogen receptor (ER)or progesterone receptor (PR)expression was found in EC. NMT3B overexpression occurred frequently in the ER or PR negative subgroups (78.9%,86.7%)more than in the positive subgroups (47.7%,47.8%)with statistical significance (P =0.016,P =0.006). In addition,the DNMT3B overexpression increased in tumors with both ER and PR negative expression (92.9%,P =0.002).However,no such correlation was found in NEC (P >0.05).Sequence analyses demonstrated multiple ER and PR binding sites in the promoter regions of DNMT3B gene.Conclusion:This study showed that the expression of DNMT3B in EC and NEC was different.DNMT3B overexpres-sion in EC was associated with the worse clinicopathological variables and might have predictive value. The methylation status of EC and NEC maybe different.In addition,in EC,DNMT3B overexpression negatively correlated with ER or PR expression.In NEC,the correlation between DNMT3B and ER or PR status was not present.