Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Rhizoma Coptidis and Cortex Phellodendri,which has a long medical history in China.Recent studies have indicated that berberine has multiple pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory,anti-microorganisms,anti-cancer,cardiac protection,glucose lowering,regulating lipid metabolism and immune suppression.Berberine has been used for the treatment of intestinal infectious diseases for many years.With the continuous progress of the research,it is reported that berberine has many new clinical applications,including treatment of the cardiovascular disease,metabolic syndrome and its complications,cancers,abdominal adhesions and chlamydia trachomatis infection.This review is intended to introduce the role of berberine in various aspects of pharmacological effects,molecular mechanisms and clinical applications.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?)promoter polymorphisms(at position-308 or-238)in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),and to explore the relationship between TNF-? promoter polymorphisms and obesity and the insulin resis tance(IR)in those patients.Methods Metabolic variables were measured in 117 patients with NAFLD, among them 60 were obesity and 57 were non-obesity.Genotype of TNF-? promoter were determined by PCR-RFLP.Plasma TNF-? level was measured by ELISA.Indexes of IR and insulin secretion were determined using the homeostasis model assessment method.One hundred and twenty normal subjects who were matched for age and sex served as control.Results The G→A mutation of the-238 TNF-? polymorphism was significantly higher in patients with NAFLD versus controls(29.9% vs.15.8%, P

Phytoene synthase is a rate-limiting enzyme in the pathway of carotenoid biosynthesis.To aim at establishing a transformation of Ginseng callus cells, elevating the nutritive value through encouraging the composition of corresponding carotenoid,taking Ginseng callus cells as acceptor,psy gene were transformed into cells via Agrobacterium-mediated. The factors affecting genetict ransformation were also investigated seperately from concentrations of A.tumefaciens, age of Ginseng callus cells, infection time and co-culture time. PCR,PCR-Southern and RT-PCR analysis from the transferred gene plants proved that psy gene has been transferred into Ginseng callus cells and can be expressed. The content of ?-carotene was increased by an average of 26 times.A base of improving and raising the contents of carotenoid in the Ginseng callus cell was established.

Gene knockout by ZFNs (zinc-finger nucleases) is efficient and specific, and successfully applied in more than 10 organisms. Currently, it is unclear whether this technology can be used for knocking-out enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene in transgenic goats. Here we constructed and used ZFN-coding plasmids to produce genetic knockouts in the cells of cloned fetus produced from donor cells by microinjection of EGFP gene. Following introduced plasmids into caprine primary cultured fetus fibroblasts by electroporation, targeting of a transgene resulted in sequence mutation. Using the flow cytometric analysis, we confirmed the disappearance of EGFP expression in treated cells. Sequence from PCR products corresponding to targeted site showed that insertion of a G into the exon of EGFP resulted in frame shift mutation. These results suggest that ZFN-mediated gene targeting can apply to caprine fetus fibroblasts, which may open a unique avenue toward the creation of gene knockout goats combining with somatic cell nuclear transfer.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Organism ; Electrophoresis ; Endonucleases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fetus ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Gene Targeting ; methods ; Goats ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Zinc Fingers

Objective To evaluate the value of transvaginal ultrasound in diagnosing intrauterine adhesions.Methods Transvaginal ultrasound was performed in 136 patients with suspicious intrauterine adhesions and compared with hysteroscopy correspondingly .The ultrasonographic features of intrauterine adhesions on transvaginal ultrasound were summarized .Results One hundred and twenty one cases (89.0%, 121/136 ) of intrauterine adhesions were verified by hysteroscopy .The hysteroscopic findings included:(1) Forty seven cases(38.9%,47/121) were minimal intrauterine adhesions , 46 cases(38.0%, 46/121) were moderate intrauterine adhesions , and 28 cases (23.1%,28/121) were severe intrauterine adhesions.(2) Sixty one cases(50.4%,61/121) were central intrauterine adhesions , 24 cases(19.8%, 24/121) were marginal intrauterine adhesions , and 36 cases (29.8%, 36/121) were mixed type of intrauterine adhesions.The transvaginal ultrasound findings included:(1)Nineteen cases(40.4%,19/47) were minimal intrauterine adhesions ,33 cases(71.7%,33/46)were moderate intrauterine adhesions ,and 23 cases(82.1%,23/28) were severe intrauterine adhesions .(2) Thirty nine cases (63.9%,39/61) were central intrauterine adhesions ,9 cases(37.5%,9/24) were marginal intrauterine adhesions ,and 27 cases (75.0%, 27/36 ) were mixed type of intrauterine adhesions .By transvaginal ultrasound, seventy-five (62.0%,75/121) cases of intrauterine adhesions were correctly diagnosed , whereas 46 cases (38.0%, 46/121) were missed.And 3 cases ( 3.8%, 3/78 ) were misdiagnosed as intrauterine adhesions on transvaginal ultrasound,including one endometrial polyp ,one thin endometrium and one septate uterus .The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound in diagnosing intrauterine adhesions were 62.0%(75/121), 80.0%(12/15) and 64.0%(87/136) respectively.There were significant statistical differences in diagnosing different degrees of intrauterine adhesions ( χ2 =15.956,P=0.000) and different parts of intrauterine adhesions( χ2 =8.792,P=0.012) by transvaginal ultrasound.Conclusions Transvaginal ultrasound is an effective, easy to perform and noninvasive technique in screening and diagnosing intrauterine adhesions.Transvaginal ultrasound is an effective way in diagnosing intrauterine adhesions showing a noninvasive and simpler way than hysteroscopy .Transvaginal ultrasound is of great value in screening and diagnosing intrauterine adhesions .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of intrathecal injection of ginsenoside Rg1 at different doses on the changes of the behavior and the expressions of excitatory amino-acid transporter 1 (EAAT1), i. e., glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) in the spinal dorsal horn of the arthritis rats with chronic morphine tolerance, and further to explore its mechanisms for morphine tolerance.

METHODSAfter successful intrathecal injection, an adjuvant arthritis model was established in 36 healthy male SD rats. They were randomly divided into 6 groups, 6 in each group. They were intrathecally injected with 10 microL normal saline (Group NS), 10 microg morphine (Group M), 10 microg morphine + 50 microg ginsenoside Rg1 (Group MG50), 10 microg morphine +100 microg ginsenoside Rg1 (Group MG100), 10 microg morphine + 200 microg ginsenoside Rg1 (Group MG200), and 100 microg ginsenoside Rg1 (Group G100), respectively. The normal saline and morphine were intrathecally injected twice daily, while ginsenoside Rg1 at different doses was intrathecally injected once daily, for 7 successive days. Fifty percent mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was dynamically detected to evaluate their behaviors. The rats were sacrificed on day 7 after medication. The L3-L5 segment of the spinal cord was isolated for determining the expression of GLAST in the spinal dorsal horn using immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSThe PWT of Group M was significantly higher than that of Group NS on the 1st and 3rd day after medication (P < 0.05). But it was gradually shortened along with the increasing days of medication. There was no statistical difference between Group M and Group NS on the 7th day (P > 0.05), indicating the formation of morphine tolerance. The PWT of Group MG100 also showed a decreasing tendency, but obviously slower than that of Group M (P < 0.05). The PWT of Group G100 was higher than that of Group NS (P < 0.05). Compared with Group NS, the expression of GLAST in the spinal dorsal horn of rats in Group M was down-regulated (P < 0.01). Compared with Group M, the expression of GLAST in the spinal dorsal horn of rats in Group MG100 and Group G100 was up-regulated (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSingle application of ginsenoside Rg1 showed mild antinociceptive effect in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats. Intrathecal injection of 100 microg ginsenoside Rg1 could attenuate the formation of morphine tolerance. Its mechanisms might be correlated with up-regulating of the expression of GLAST.

Amino Acid Transport System X-AG ; metabolism ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; metabolism ; Drug Tolerance ; Ginsenosides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Injections, Spinal ; Male ; Morphine ; pharmacology ; Pain Measurement ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) combined dexmedetomidine on hemodynamic of intracranial aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients undergoing intervention, and their protection for brain Injury.

METHODSTotally 108 intracranial aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients undergoing intervention were randomly assigned to the electroacupuncture (EA) group and the control group according to random digit table, 54 in each group. All patients were anesthetized with dexmedetomidine. Patients in the EA group were needled at bilateral Neiguan (PC6), Lieque (LU7), and Yunmen (LU2). Parameter setting was as follows: The dilatational wave at 1. 5 Hz, strength 2 - 4 mA, 30 min. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were compared between the two groups immediately after entry into the room (T0), after administration (T1), intubating (T2), resuscitation (T3), extubation (T4), and leaving the operating room (T5). Levels of S100β protein (S100β) and neuron specific enolase (NSE) were compared between the two groups at T0, immediately after surgery (T6), 6 h after operation (T7), 12 h after operation (T8), and 24 h after operation (T9).

RESULTSCompared with the same group at T0, SBP, DBP, MAP, and HR were significantly reduced in the two groups at T1-T5(P <0. 05), serum levels of S100β and NSE in the two groups were significantly increased at T6-T9 (P<0. 05). Compared with the control group at T1 - T5, SBP, DBP, MAP, and HR decreased in the EA group (P <0. 05). Compared with the control group at T6-T9, serum levels of S100β and NSE decreased in the EA group (P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONTAES combined dexmedetomidine could effectively maintain stable hemodynamics of intracranial aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients undergoing intervention, and regulate their serum levels of S100β and NSE.

Acupuncture Points ; Airway Extubation ; Blood Pressure ; Brain Injuries ; therapy ; Electric Stimulation ; Electroacupuncture ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dorsal ligament reconstruction in treatment of old dorsal dislocation of distal radioulnar joint.Methods Seven patients with old dorsal dislocation of distal radioulnar joint were treated with dorsal ligament reconstruction using the palmaris longus tendon from March 2005 to May 2012 in our institute,including 4 males and 3 females with a mean age of 37 years.All patients had a history of wrist injury for more than 3 months and were diagnosed as isolated dislocation of distal radioulnar joint without fractures.During the operation a bone tunnel was made at dorsal ulnar side of radius near the ulnar notch,which was parallelized to long axial of ulna,two holes were drilled from dorsal to palmarulnaris side through the extensor carpi ulnaris sulcus of the ulna.The palmaris longus tendon was harvested and the strip of the tendon was penetrated through the radial hole.After the tips being crossed,put them through the holes of ulna,reduct the distal radioulnar joint by supinating the forearm,the strip of the tendon was sutured after being tightened,the reversed back the free end of the tendon to reconstruct the sheath of extensor carpi ulnaris tendon.Postoperatively,the upper extremity were kept in a long arm plaster in the position of elbow flexion 90° and forearm supination for 3 weeks,then the below elbow cast was replaced for another 3 weeks.Results Patients were followed-up for 1 year and 8 months 4 years and 2 months with the average of 2 years and 9 months.The rotation of wrist was improved and the handgrip strength was increased significantly.A functional evaluation was performed using the modified Mayo wrist scoring system.All patients had better wrists scores postoperatively (mean,93) compared to preoperatively (mean,68).All patients satisfied with the final result.Conclusion Dorsal ligament reconstruction should be a promise surgical modality for the old dorsal dislocation of distal radioulnar joint.

Objective To summarize and analyze prenatal ultrasound and postnatal autopsy ifndings in fetuses with urorectal septum malformation sequence (URSMS). Methods An analysis of prenatal ultrsound ifndings and postnatal autopsy features was performed on eleven cases of fetuses with URSMS that were identiifed by ultrasonography at Shenzhen Maternity&Child Healthcare Hospital in the period of January 2003 to December 2012. Results Prenatal ultrasonography showed a large abdominal cystic mass concomitant with imperforate anus in eleven fetuses with URSMS. The cyst contained unilocular or bilocular cystic structures in two fetuses, and trilocular cystic structures in nine fetuses. The cyst was demonstrated as clear acoustic transmission in three fetuses and unclear in eight fetuses. Out of them, seven fetuses had kidney abnormalities, six had ascites, and three had enterolithiasis. The associated systemic abnormalities included tethered cord in two fetuses, single umbilical artery in two fetuses, sacrococcygeal dysplasia in one fetus, and myocardial noncompaction in one fetus. 21-trisomy was found in one fetus by chromosome examination. Eleven cases were all identiifed as female fetuses by autopsy ifndings, including a single perineal opening and ambiguous genitalia with clitoral hypertrophy and labial fusion. The internal genital abnormalities included double vagina or longitudinal vaginal septum in nine fetuses, double uterus or uterus bicornis in ten fetuses and vaginal dysplasia in one fetus. Conclusions URSMS is a complex congenital malformation, which includes abnormalities of the urinary system, reproductive system and gastrointestinal track. An abdominal cystic mass visualized by prenatal ultrasonography might be the distinctive lesion in female with URSMS, and have an important diagnostic value. The kidney abnormalities and ambiguous genitalia can contribute to the diagnosis of URSMS.

To study the changes of pupil diameter and its effects during phacoemulsification. METHODS: Block design, prospective study. 60 cataract patients (60 eyes) were selected, which divided into two groups according to the age, young age group (group A, 20 eyes of 20 patients) and older age group (group B, 40 eyes of 40 patients). Two groups were all given compound tropicamide eye drops for fully mydriasis before operation, computer software to process images during operation, and according to the cornea amplification ratio measure pupil diameter during the operation phase: before the corneal tunnel incision ( t1 ) , after injection of sodium hyalurantae ( t2 ) , before artificial lens implantation (t3), at the end of the surgery ( t4 ). Statistical analysis of data using SPSS18. 0 software.RESULTS: The pupil diameter measurements of t1-t4 were followed respectively:group A were 8. 36 ± 0. 65, 8. 97±0. 50, 8. 67±0. 63, 8. 72±0. 96mm; group B were 7. 73± 0. 58, 8. 23 ± 0. 59, 7. 89 ± 0. 16, 7. 70 ± 0. 63mm. Overall comparisons between the two groups, the pupil diameter measurements had differences during the operation phase ( F = 26. 696, P< 0. 05 ). Comparisons between the two groups at different time points: the pupil diameter of t1-t4 in group A was larger than that in group B, with statistically differences (P<0. 05). The pupil diameter of each groups had a tendency to change in different operation phrases, with no statistically differences (F=2. 617,P>0. 05). Comparisons in a group at different time points: the pupil diameter of t2 was larger than that in t1, with statistically differences ( P>0. 05), the pupil diameter of t3 and t4 were decreased in group B, with statistically differences (P<0. 05).CONCLUSlON: Compound tropicamide eye drops are given for mydriasis before operation, young patients with cataract and senile patients with cataract can achieve the effect of surgery for mydriasis, the pupil stability of phacoemulsification in senile patients with cataract are lower than that in young patients with cataract.