AIM To establish the hyperlipidemia and hyperlipidemic fatty liver animal model.METHODS 30 SD rats were randomized into control group (n=10)and model group(n=20).The rats of model group were fed with a standard diet and fat emulsion( 10 ml?kg -1);while the rats of control group were only fed with a standard diet.The serum TG,TC,ALT,AST,MDA,SOD and hepatic TG,TC,MDA,SOD were detected dynamically and with histologically.RESULTS The model group developed hyperlipidemia which TG and TC were elevated significantly after 1 week. 10 rats which were selected randomly in the model group were killed and the serum and liver were obtained after 2 weeks. The serum TG,TC,ALT and hepatic MDA of the model group rats were higher than the control's,while the hepatic SOD were lower. At the same time,the light degree hepatic steatosis of 2 rats were induced.The third week,both control group and model rats(n=10) were killed and the serum and the liver were obtained. Compared with the control group, the serum TG,TC,ALT,AST,MDA?SOD and hepatic TG,MDA of the model group rats were markedly higher, while the serum SOD and the hepatic SOD were significantly lower.The histopathology research showed hepatocellular macrovesicular steatosis and hepatitis in the model group. CONCLUSINOS The experimental animal model of hyperlipidemia and hyperlipidemic fatty liver in rats were successfully established for 1 week and 3 weeks fed with fat emulsion.

Abstract: Our previous work revealed berberine can significantly enhance the susceptibility of fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans, which suggested that berberine has synergistic antifungal activity with fluconazole. Preliminary SAR of berberine needs to be studied for the possibility of investigating its target and SAR, improving its drug-likeness, and exploring new scaffold. In this work, 13-substitutited benzyl berberine derivatives and N-benzyl isoquinoline analogues were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR and MS. Their synergetic activity with fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans was evaluated in vitro. The 13-substitutited benzyl berberine derivatives 1a-1e exhibited comparable activity to berberine, which suggested that the introduction of functional groups to C-13 can maintain its activity. The N-benzyl isoquinolines, which were designed as analogues of berberine with its D ring opened, exhibited lower activity than berberine. However, compound 2b, 2c, and 4b showed moderate activity, which indicated that berberine may be deconstructed to new scaffold with synergistic antifungal activity with fluconazole. The results of our research may be helpful to the SAR studies on its other biological activities.
Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Drug Synergism ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Isoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

BACKGROUNDAspermia caused by exogenous testosterone limit its usage in late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) patients desiring fertility. Saikokaryukotsuboreito (SKRBT) is reported to improve serum testosterone and relieve LOH-related symptoms. However, it is unclear whether SKRBT affects fertility. We aimed to examine the effects of SKRBT on spermatogenesis and fertility in aging male mice.

METHODSThirty aging male mice were randomly assigned to three groups. Mice were orally administered with phosphate-buffer solution or SKRBT (300 mg/kg, daily) or received testosterone by subcutaneous injections (10 mg/kg, every 3 days). Thirty days later, each male mouse was mated with two female mice. All animals were sacrificed at the end of 90 days. Intratesticular testosterone (ITT) levels, quality of sperm, expression of synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SYCP3), and fertility were assayed.

RESULTSIn the SKRBT-treated group, ITT, quality of sperm, and expression of SYCP3 were all improved compared with the control group (ITT: 85.50 ± 12.31 ng/g vs. 74.10 ± 11.45 ng/g, P = 0.027; sperm number: [14.94 ± 4.63] × 106 cells/ml vs. [8.79 ± 4.38] × 106 cells/ml, P = 0.002; sperm motility: 43.16 ± 9.93% vs. 33.51 ± 6.98%, P = 0.015; the number of SYCP3-positive cells/tubule: 77.50 ± 11.01 ng/ml vs. 49.30 ± 8.73 ng/ml, P < 0.001; the expression of SYCP3 protein: 1.23 ± 0.09 vs. 0.84 ± 0.10, P < 0.001), but fertility was not significantly changed (P > 0.05, respectively). In the testosterone-treated group, ITT, quality of sperm, and expression of SYCP3 were markedly lower than the control group (ITT: 59.00 ± 8.67, P = 0.005; sperm number: [4.34 ± 2.45] × 106 cells/ml, P = 0.018; sperm motility: 19.53 ± 7.69%, P = 0.001; the number of SYCP3-positive cells/tubule: 30.00 ± 11.28, P < 0.001; the percentage of SYCP3-positive tubules/section 71.98 ± 8.88%, P = 0.001; the expression of SYCP3 protein: 0.71 ± 0.09, P < 0.001), and fertility was also suppressed (P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSKRBT had no adverse effect on fertility potential in aging male mice.

Aging ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fertility ; drug effects ; Hypogonadism ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Nuclear Proteins ; analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Testosterone ; blood

BACKGROUNDCoflex, a type of interspinous process implant, can provide intervertebral dynamic stability for surgical segments and effectively relieve lumbocrural pain. However, few studies have described therapeutic strategies and the avoidance of Coflex implant complications.

METHODSCoflex implant complications in this study included intraoperative or postoperative spinous process fracture, aggravated postoperative lumbocrural pain, dislodgment and malposition. The complications were analyzed, and therapeutic strategies were applied according to the specific complication. The Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores were evaluated by using the paired-samples test from SPSS 12.0.

RESULTSConservative treatment was provided to seven patients who experienced aggravated lumbocrural pain even though their devices remained in the correct position, and pedicle screw treatment was used as an alternative in four cases. The Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores showed evident improvement in these patients. The Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores of two patients who underwent revision were also improved.

CONCLUSIONSCoflex implants should be avoided in patients with osteoporosis, a narrow interspinous space and intervertebral coronal spondylolysis, or sagittal instability. Furthermore the device choice, depth of implantation, and clamping intensity should be appropriate. Conservative treatment can be provided to patients with symptoms if the device remains in the correct position; however, revisions and salvages should be undertaken with internal fixation of pedicle screws for patients with device malposition, intraoperative implantation failure, or device intolerance.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostheses and Implants ; adverse effects ; Visual Analog Scale

Objective To investigate the effectiveness and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin combined with oral glucocorticoid in the treatment of myasthenia gravis in elderly patients.Methods A total of 235 elderly patients diagnosed as myasthenia gravis in our hospital were enrolled in our study from January 2012 to December 2016,and randomly divided into observation group (intravenous immunoglobulin combined with oral glucocorticoid n =118) and control group (oral glucocorticoid only,n =117).The clinical curative effect,immune function index,QMG scale,symptom remission time,length of hospitalization,and adverse reactions in both groups were recorded and analyzed after two-week treatment.Results The total effective rate was significantly higher in observation group (106/117,90.6％) than in control group (84/118,71.2％) (x2=5.621,P=0.000).The levels of serum IgG1,IgG3,and complement C3 were significantly higher in observation group than in control group (P ＜0.05).The QMG scale,symptom remission time,and length of hospitalization were lower in observation group [(9.2 ± 4.0) score,(6.2 ± 1.6) d,(14.4 ± 3.3) d]than in the control group [(13.4 ± 6.1) score,(11.6 ± 2.4) d,(25.1 ± 4.8) d] (t =6.158,19.797,and 20.078,P=0.000,0.002 and 0.009).No serious adverse reaction was observed in both groups.Conclusions The combined therapies of intravenous immunoglobulin and oral glucocorticoid for myasthenia gravis in the elderly have remarkable effectiveness.It is close to an ideal treatment because it effectively inhibits a disease progression in time,regulates an immune function,and shortens a hospitalization time.

This paper contains the results of cl inical studies with 0.1 and 0.15 Tesla KAIS NMR Tomograph which was developed by Korea Advanced 1 nstitute of 5cience. A variety of imaging modes such as saturation recovery(SR), spin echo(SE), and inversion recovery(SR) as well as echo and repetition times were applied. Clinical imagings were performed on 22 patients with dlseases of brain (15 cases), cervical spine(2 cases}, chest (2 cases), pancreas (2 cases), and kidney (1 case). In SR imaglng, we have obtained images strongly dependent on the hydrogen nuclei density. SE with long echo time and IR are effective for T2 and T1 dependent images, respectively. Results of clinical NMR imaging are presented and compared with X-CT and the other radiological examinations. Obtained results appear promising and with further examinations along with parameter adjustment, it is expected that the NMR imaging will not only substitute many conventional diagnostic methods such as X.ray CT but also be useful for the early detection of tumor and other lesions not obtainable with other modalities.
Brain ; Humans ; Hydrogen ; Kidney ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pancreas ; Thorax

Objective To explore the relationship between NF-kB1-94ins/delATTG gene polymorphism and acute progressive cerebral infarction(APCD ofChinese Hart population in Qingdaodistrict Methods We detected the polymorphism of NF-κB1 -94ins/delA TTG gene in 100 patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI group) and 99 patients with acute progressive cerebral infarction (APCI group) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)analysis. The changes of expression of NF-κBp65 in PBMC cellular nucleus in the 2 groups were detected by cell immunohistochemistry. Results The frequency of TT genetype and T allele in the APCI group was significantly higher than that in the ACI group (P<0.05). Analysis on the relative risk of allele frequency showed that patients with T allele had 1.622 times of risk in having APCI than patients with C allele; logistic regressive analysis indicated that NF-κB1 TT genotype was independently related to the attacking of APCI (OR=2.14, 95% CI: 2.654-8.296, P<0.05). The expressions of NF-κBp65 of PBMC cellular nucleus of TT genotypic individuals in APCI group were significantly higher than those in ACI group (P<0.05); logistic regressive analysis indicated that the expressions of NF-KBp65 in PBMC cellular nucleus of TT genotypic individuals were independently related to the attacking of APCI (OR=1.96; 95% CI: 2.267-7.691; P<0.05). Conclusion The NF-κB1 gene polymorphism might participate in the onset of APCI and T allele of NF-κB1 gene might be a genetic risk factor of getting APCI for Chinese Han populations in Qingdao district. The NF-κB1 T allele carrier might increase the happening of APCI through up regulating the expression of NF-kB1.

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemic situation,clinical symptom,diagnosis and epidemiological characteristics of human Fasciola gigantica infection in Dali,Yunnan province.It will also provide a scientific basis for fasciolosis control and prevention.Methods Epidemic data were collected and patient's clinical signs and symptoms were studied.Serum soluble antigen of Fasciola gigantica of patients and part of family members and health people in the same village was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the eggs of Fasciola gigantica in stool were observed under microscope.Sequencing and PCR amplification of Fasciola gigantica eggs had been done.Sequencing results were analyzed using basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) program of the U.S.National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and the similarity of the two in the sequence of nucleic acid was compared.Furthermore,patients were experimentally given orally therapeutic doses of Triclabendazole 10 mg·kg-1·d-1 daily for 2 days,and kept in the hospital for observation for one week.Moreover,host and vector were investigated in the surrounding ditches of Dali prefecture and Limnaea peregra snail samples were collected.All the snails were squashed by glass sheet in order to detect the cercarie.Cow dung and sheep manure was collected in the Limnaea peregra distribution environment,and the eggs in the feces were checked by microscope after washing and precipitation.Results All the 26 patients had a continued hyperpyrexia with distinct alimentary system symptoms of nausea,vomiting,stomachache,abdominal distension as well as hepatomegaly,sensitive to percussion,different levels of liver damage detected by CT.All the patients had an eaten history of raw Herba Houttuyniae and other aquatic plants,and the course of the disease was similar,with the same epidemiological characteristics.ELISA detection was used in the 26 patients,family members and other healthy population,the results of all the 26 patients were positive(100.0％,26/26) ; the positive rates of the 57 family members and other health people of the same village were 31.6％ (18/57) and 17.1％ (6/35),respectively.The results of sequencing and BLAST program showed that the pathogen was Fasciola gigantica with the similarity between 99％-100％.PCR amplification also confirmed that the eggs were Fasciola gigantica eggs with an approximately 1000 bp band on agarose gel.After treatment with Triclabendazole,body temperature of the patients dropped to normal and symptoms improved markedly.Moreover,329 Limnaea peregra snails were collected including 5 ones with redia and one-tailed cercariae which were preliminary identified as the larva of Fasciola gigantica.There were also eggs of Fasciola gigantica detected in one stool of cattle and one of goat.Conclusions Eating raw food is the leading cause of the onset of the disease.Triclabendazole is the drug of choice to treat Fasciolasis.Health education should be strengthened by government and disease prevention and control departments in order to make the local residents to understand the potential hazard of eating raw aquatic vegetable and drinking unboiled water,which is the key to prevent the occurrence of the disease.

OBJECTIVETo explore the acting mechanism of electrical field in electrical injury.

METHODSThirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were employed in the study and were randomly divided into 7 groups. There were 12 rabbits in group 1 and 4 in each group of other 6 groups. The animal model of nonthermal electrical injury previously replicated was employed in the study. Experiment with paralleled muscular fibers in electrical field was carried out in groups 2 approximately 4, while that of vertical muscular fibers in electrical field in groups 5-7. Anatomical examination was done to determine the index of deep burn injury (IDBI) in all groups of rabbits at 0, 2 and 24 postburn hour (PBH). Histological and ultrastructural examination, gamma picturing and isotope scanning with 99mTc were done in group 1 at 2 PBH.

RESULTSThere was no obvious skin injury in the white rabbits in group 1. Deep tissue necrosis was identified under the small electrode. Constant muscular spasm was observed in the inner side of the thigh. The muscles in paralleled electrical field suffered more severe injury than those in vertical one. Tissue injury was more severe in those areas with higher current density, less soft tissue, and also in the central area of the axis of the electric field. There were obvious changes in the perfusion and blood pool phases in these areas as observed with the aid of 99mTc. Light microscopic examination revealed swelling and necrosis of muscular fibers. Under electron microscopy, it was found that there were edema and dissolution with separation of lipid molecular layers of cell membrane, Shortened nucleus with partial dissolution of nuclear membrane, increased heparin granules within nucleus, swelling of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, myofilament dissolution, expanded gap between myofilament and decreased number of heparin granules.

CONCLUSIONNon-thermal tissue injury in the electrical field, in terms of cell, ultrastructural and molecular levels, was induced and aggravated by all the factors constituting high voltage electrical field.

Animals ; Electric Injuries ; pathology ; Lower Extremity ; injuries ; Necrosis ; Rabbits ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; pathology

BACKGROUNDAlthough liver transplantation has become a standard therapy for end-stage liver diseases, the experience of pediatric liver transplantation is limited in China. In this article we report our experience in pediatric liver transplantation, and summarize its characters in their indications, surgical techniques, and postoperative managements.

METHODSThirty-one children (< or = 18 years old) underwent liver transplantation in our centers. The mean age at transplantation was 12.4 years old (ranged from 5 months to 18 years) with 7 children being less than 4 years of age at transplantation. The most common diagnosis of patients who underwent liver transplantation were biliary atresia, Wilson's disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, glycogen storage disease, hepatoblastoma, urea cycle defects, fulminant hepatic failure, etc. The surgical procedures included 12 standard (without venovenous bypass), 6 pigyback, 6 reduced-size, 3 split, 3 living donor liver transplantation, and 1 Domino liver transplantation. The triple-drug (FK506, steroid, and mycophenolate mofetil) immunosuppressive regimen was used in most of patients. Patients were followed up for a mean of 21.8 months.

RESULTSFive of the 31 patients died during perioperative time; mortality rate was 16.1%. The reasons of death were infections, primary non-function, heart failure, and hypovolemic shock. Postoperative complications in 10 patients included biliary leakage, acute rejection, abdominal infection, hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and pulmonary infection. Overall patient cumulative survival rate at 1-, 3-, and 5-year was 78.1%, 62.6%, 62.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe most common indications of pediatric liver transplantation were congenital end-stage liver diseases. According to patients' age and body weight, standard, piggyback, reduced-size, split, or living donor liver transplantation should be performed. Pediatric liver transplantation especially requires higher surgical skills. The early postoperative management is the key to success. Postoperative bile leak was common, but most patients underwent liver transplantation had a better prognosis.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; mortality ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate