To study the effects of alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) mRNA expression and antihyperlipedemic levels. The LDLR mRNA expression were detected by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in serum were measured at the first and last examination. The results show that, after the drug treatment, compared with the model group, each drug group showed a lipid-lowering effect. Especially, coptisine, palmatine, jatrorrhinze were significantly reduced TC, TG, LDL-c (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and increased HDL-c (P < 0.01). In addition, they also increased mRNA expression of the LDLR in liver and HepG2 cells. The results showed that alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma can regulate lipid metabolism disorder, and coptisine have the best lipid-lowering effect.
Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Cricetinae ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Lipids ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Mesocricetus ; Receptors, Lipoprotein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Triglycerides ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of etanercept plus Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside (TWP) in elderly patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSTotally 46 elderly patients with active RA were randomly assigned to the treatment group (22 cases) and the control group (24 cases). All patients received subcutaneous injection of etanercept, 25 mg each time, twice per week. The dosage was reduced to once per week 3 months later. Patients in the treatment group took TWP Tablet (10 mg each time, three times per day), while those in the control group took methotrexate (MTX), 10 mg each time, once per week. The whole course lasted for 24 weeks. Patients' rest pain, tender joint number, swollen joint number, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), patients' global assessment, physicians' global assessment, erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), rheumatic factor were assessed at week 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24. The curative effect was statistically evaluated by the United States Institute of Rheumatology ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70 improvement criteria. Meanwhile, any adverse event was recorded and evaluated.

RESULTSTotally 41 completed the trial, and 5 dropped off (3 in the treatment group and 2 in the control group). Compared with the control group, there was no statistical difference in ACR20, ACR50, or ACR70 in the treatment group (P > 0.05). Compared with before treatment in the same group, there was some improvement in tender joint number, swollen joint number, visual analogue scale (VAS) for patients' global assessment, VAS for physicians' global assessment, ESR, CRP, and HAQ between the two groups, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group in the same phase, there was no statistical difference in the treatment group (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the occurrence of adverse events between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSEtanercept plus TWP could achieve equivalent therapeutic effect to that of Etanercept plus MTX. The two regimens could improve clinical signs, symptoms, and QOL related to RA. They were well tolerated in the treatment of elderly patients with active RA.

Aged ; Antirheumatic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Etanercept ; Female ; Glycosides ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the effect of the intermittent deferomamine(DF) therapy on relieving iron overload caused by transfusion in children with ? thalassemia.Methods Sixteen children who were finally diagnosed as ? thalassemia major were treated with deferomamine for 124 times totally to low the iron overload. The serum iron(SI), serum ferritin(SF) and urine ferritin were detected each time with radio-immunity technique and difference was compared before and after treatment. Meanwhile, weather DF involved children′s liver and renal function was observed in whole procedure.Results Iron overload exists in 16 cases of ? thalassemia major children by a long- term hypertransfusion therapy, with average level SI 33.69?6.72 mmol/L,SF 441.19? 54.70 ?g/L,urine ferritin 8.64?6.79 ?g/L. The difference was significant (paired-samples t test,t =6.173 P 0.05).Conclusion The study suggest that intermittent low-dose DF therapy is effective for iron overload caused by transfusion in ? thalassemia children, without apparent side effects.

Objective To evaluate the validity and reliability of an item-specific physical activity scale for Chinese children and adolescents(I-PASCA). Methods Students from Grade 4-12 in Nanjing were randomly selected using a multi-stage sampling approach, 7-days physical activity (PA) level was recorded by self-reported I-PASCA and PA log and were objectively measured with accelerometers. The total moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA) time was calculated. Cronbach α was calculated to estimate the reliability of I-PASCA. Pearson correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman were used to examine I-PASCA's validity. Results There were 815 students recruited in 2013 to evaluate the reliability and validity of I-PASCA using PA log. Cronbach α for I-PASCA was 0.73 regarding moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA). The Spearman correlation coefficients of the values of PA recorded by I-PASCA and PA log were 0.59 for MVPA, and the Bland-Altman coefficient was 95.8% for MVPA. 624 students were involved to examine the reliability and validity of I-PASCA using accelerometers. Cronbach α for I-PASCA was 0.72 regarding MVPA. The Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.36 for MVPA, while the Bland-Altman coefficient was 95.5% for MVPA. Conclusions The I-PASCA, the first physical activity questionnaire specific to Chinese children and adolescents, shows acceptable reliability and validity and can be used to evaluate Chinese students' physical activity level in population-based studies.

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of the stems of Opuntia vulgaris Mill(Cactaceae).

METHODSThe compounds of Opuntia vulgaris were isolated by chromatography of Amberlite Dowex 50 and silica gel, and identified by means of UV, IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR.

RESULTSThree compounds were isolated and identified as: opuntin B(I), 4-hydroxyproline(II) and tyrosine(III).

CONCLUSIONCompound I is a new alkaloid.

Hydroxyproline ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Maleimides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Opuntia ; chemistry ; Phenols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Tyrosine ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo analyse the epidemiological distribution of dermatitis patients in hospital and provide basis for studying the basic conditions and the prevention of dermatitis especially TCE-induced dermatitis in Baoan District of Shenzhen City.

METHODSAll dermatitis patients in hospital in Baoan District from 1992 to 2006 were descriptively analysed.

RESULTSThere were 645 dermatitis patients in hospital in Baoan District. The total number of patients is tended to rise in recent years. The main age group of 16 approximately years old, followed by 26 approximately years old, the majority are workers. The clinical diagnosis are allergic dermatitis, drug-induced dermatitis, TCE-induced dermatitis. Compared with other dermatitis, women are more than men in TCE-induced dermatitis (P < 0.05). The risk of hepatic dysfunction in TCE-induced dermatitis was significantly greater than other dermatitis (P < 0.05). It is mainly distributed in electronic, metal, electroplating industry.

CONCLUSIONThe TCE-induced dermatitis was one of the main occupational hazards in Baoan district. To strengthen self-protection awareness of workers, pay more attention to early work observed and occupational screening in key industries and trades workers, reduce opportunities for occupational exposure, all above can effectively reduce the occurrence of TCE-induced dermatitis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Dermatitis ; epidemiology ; Dermatitis, Contact ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the causes of orchiectomy in different age groups.

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical data about 291 cases of orchiectomy performed between March 1993 and October 2014 and analyzed the causes of surgery and their distribution in different age groups.

RESULTSThe main causes of orchiectomy were testicular torsion (45.8%), cryptorchidism (32.5%) and testicular tumor (16.9%) in the patients aged 0-25 years, testicular tumor (42.4%), cryptorchidism (25.9%) and tuberculosis (10.6%) in those aged 26-50 years. Prostate cancer was the leading cause in those aged 51-75 years (77.6%) or older (84.0%)), and testicular tumor was another cause in the 51-75 years old men (10.2%). Prostate cancer, testicular tumor, cryptorchidism, and testicular torsion were the first four causes of orchiectomy between 1993 and 2009. From 2010 to 2014, however, testicular tumor rose to the top while prostate cancer dropped to the fourth place.

CONCLUSIONThe causes of orchiectomy vary in different age groups. The proportion of castration for prostate cancer patients significantly reduced in the past five years, which might be attributed to the improvement of comprehensive health care service.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Causality ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cryptorchidism ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orchiectomy ; statistics & numerical data ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; surgery ; Testicular Neoplasms ; surgery ; Tuberculosis, Male Genital ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESome research has shown that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) can decrease the rate of mortality and disability caused by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates. However, the HBO pressure used in the clinical reports and the efficacy of HBO are different. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of HBO therapy under different pressures by observing the changes of peroxidation, antioxidant levels and brain vasomotor regulation factors as well as the score of neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) in neonates with HIE after HBO therapy.

METHODSSixty neonates with HIE were randomly administered with 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6 atmosphere absolute (ATA) of HBO, once daily for seven days. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were measured before and after HBO therapy. Meanwhile, NBNA and eye ground examination were performed.

RESULTSSerum SOD level increased and serum levels of MDA, NO and NOS decreased significantly after HBO therapy in the three HBO therapy groups (P<0.01). Serum SOD level was significantly higher and serum levels of MDA, NO and NOS were significantly lower in the 1.6 ATA HBO group than those in the 1.4 ATA group after therapy (P<0.05). The 1.6 ATA HBO group also showed increased SOD and decreased MDA levels compared with the 1.5 ATA HBO group after therapy (P<0.05). NBNA scores in the three groups increased significantly after HBO therapy (P<0.05). None of the three HBO therapy group patients showed abnormal eye grounds after therapy.

CONCLUSIONSHBO therapy with 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6 ATA is safe and effective for neonatal HIE. The antioxidant capacity increases with the increasing HBO pressure in neonates with HIE.

Female ; Humans ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; Pressure ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene on androgen-independent prostate cancer DU145 cells in vitro.

METHODSThe iNOS gene was transfected into androgen-independent prostate cancer DU145 cells. The positive cells were selected as the transfected group for amplification, and an empty vector (EV) group and a control group were also set. The mRNA transcription of iNOS was analyzed by RT-PCR. The morphological changes of the cells were observed, the effect of iNOS transfection on the cell growth determined using the MTB method, and the apoptosis of DU145 cells detected by flow cytometry, followed by analysis of the effect of NOS inhibitors on the transfected cells.

RESULTSDU145 cells transfected with iNOS secreted significantly more nitric oxide ([272.50 +/- 15.82] micromol/L) than those of the EV and control groups ([122.00 +/- 18.93] micromol/L and [121.00 +/- 6.98] micromol/L) (P < 0.05). The rate of cell apoptosis was markedly enhanced in the transfected group as compared with the EV and control groups ([42.78 +/- 2.01]% vs [30.65 +/- 1.46]% and [28.96 +/- 1.50]%, P < 0.05). MTP test indicated a slower growth of the DU145 cells in the former than in the latter two (P < 0.05). NOS inhibitors enhanced their growth, but with no significance (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDU145 cells transfected with iNOS could secrete high-concentration nitric oxide, induce cell apoptosis, and suppress cell proliferation, which may provide a potentially effective gene therapy for advanced androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Androgens ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Cell Cycle ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo select the effective siRNA which could inhibit the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT-1) in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and discuss the time-, and dose-dependent effect of RNA interference (RNAi).

METHODSFour pairs of siRNA were designed, synthesized and transfected through oligofectamine reagent into ACC cell lines ACC-2, ACC-3 and ACC-M. 24, 48 and 72 h after transfection, total RNA and protein were harvested respectively. mRNA and protein expression level of DNMT-1 were detected by real time PCR, RT-PCR and Western blot, and then the effective siRNA was subsequently selected. ACC-3 as also transfected by different concentration of siRNA and the dose-dependent effect of RNAi was discussed. Cy(3) labelled GAPDH siRNA was used as a positive control.

RESULTSTwo of 4 pairs of siRNA inhibited the mRNA expression of DNMT-1 in three ACC cell lines and the expression of DNMT-1 was downregulated by 67%, 86%, 92% and 76%, 76%, 86% respectively. The gene inhibition was detected at 24 h or 48 h after transfection, maintained only 1 - 2 days and showed direct relationship to the concentration of siRNA. The change of protein expression level of DNMT-1 was consistent to the changes of mRNA.

CONCLUSIONSThe effective siRNA which could inhibited the expression of DNMT-1 of ACC were achieved. The inhibition effect of RNAi was time-dependent and dose-dependent.

Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection