Efficacy and safety of triple therapy containing berberine hydrochloride, amoxicillin, and rabeprazole in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effectiveness and safety of triple therapy containing berberine, amoxicillin, and rabeprazole in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). METHODS: This prospective, randomized controlled, open-label, noninferiority trial included treatment-naive patients with H. pylori infection who were randomly allocated at a ratio of 1:1 into the berberine triple therapy group (berberine hydrochloride 300 mg thrice daily, amoxicillin 1 g twice daily, and rabeprazole 10 mg twice daily) or standard bismuth-containing quadruple therapy group (amoxicillin 1 g twice daily, rabeprazole 10 mg twice daily, clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily, and bismuth tartrate 200 mg twice daily) for 14 days. Negative 13 C/14 C-urea breath test at 4 weeks after completion of the therapy was regarded as successful eradication. RESULTS: Altogether 262 and 262 patients received berberine triple therapy and bismuth-containing quadruple therapy, respectively. Both intention-to-treat (79.8% vs 80.9%, P = 0.742) and per-protocol analyses (83.6% and 85.1%, P = 0.636) showed comparable eradication rate between the two groups, indicating a noninferior eradication rate (the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval over -10% [-7.9% and -7.87%, respectively]). Adverse events more commonly occurred in the bismuth-containing quadruple-therapy group (8.8% vs 16.0%, P = 0.012), while patient compliance and symptom improvement of the two regimens were comparable. CONCLUSION: Triple therapy containing berberine, amoxicillin and rabeprazole is noninferior to bismuth-containing quadruple therapy in the initial treatment for H. pylori eradication.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Cavernous Malformations of Basal Ganglia and Thalamus: A Retrospective Study of 53 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has been used to treat cavernous malformations (CMs) located in basal ganglia and thalamus. However, previous reports are limited by small patient population. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological data of 53 patients with CMs of basal ganglia and thalamus who underwent GKRS at West China Hospital between May 2009 and July 2018. All patients suffered at least once bleeding before GKRS. The mean volume of these lesions was 1.77 cm3, and the mean marginal dose was 13.2 Gy. After treatment, patients were followed to determine the change in symptom and hemorrhage event. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 52.1 months (6.2-104.3 months). The calculated annual hemorrhage rate (AHR) was 48.5% prior to GKRS and 3.0% after treatment (p < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that 2-, 3-, and 5-year hemorrhage-free survival were 88, 80.9, and 80.9%, respectively. Preexisting symptoms were resolved in 11 patients, improved in 14, and stable in 5. Only 2 patients (3.8%) developed new neurological deficit. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that AHR after GKRS was comparable to the recorded AHR of natural history (3.1-4.1%) in previous studies. GKRS is a safe and effective treatment modality for CMs of basal ganglia and thalamus. Considering the relative insufficient understanding of natural history of CMs, future study warrants longer follow-up.

The ethyl acetate extraction of Pileostegia tomentella (ZLTE) exerts anti-cancer effects on H1299 cells via ROS-induced canonical apoptosis.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and the most common malignant tumor, the long-term survival of which has stagnated in the past several decades. Pileostegia tomentella Hand. Mazz is a traditional Chinese medicine called "Zhongliuteng" (ZLT) in the pharmacopeia, which has been proved to possess a potent anti-tumor effect on various cancers. In this study, the effects of ZLT N-butanol extraction (ZLTN) and ZLT ethyl acetate extraction (ZLTE) on the viability of non-small cell lung cancer cell (NSCLC) lines H1299 and A549 were evaluated. Here, we firstly reported that ZLTE significantly inhibited H1299 cells growth without affecting the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In addition, ZLTE induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner and increased the expression cleaved-PARP and decreased pro-caspase-3, pro-caspase-7, pro-caspase-8, and pro-caspase-9. Moreover, ZLTE increased the level of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in H1299 cells to lead to apoptosis, which was reversed by N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Taken together, our results revealed that ZLTE induced caspase-dependent apoptosis via ROS generation, suggesting that ZLTE is a promising herbal medicine for the treatment of NSCLC.

Upregulation of Mineralocorticoid Receptor in the Hypothalamus Associated with a High Anxiety-like Level in Apolipoprotein E4 Transgenic Mice.

Anxiety symptoms occur in a large portion of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. ApolipoproteinE-4 (ApoE ε4 allele), a risk factor for AD, has been recognized as an important contributor to psychiatric disorders. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the corticosterone level in relation to anxiety-like behavior changes in transgenic male mice with different glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-ApoE isoforms. GFAP-ApoE4 transgenic mice aged 3 months showed higher anxiety-like behavior in open field, light-dark box and elevated plus maze tasks compared with that of age-matched GFAP-ApoE3 mice. However, corticotropin releasing factor levels in the hypothalamus and plasma corticosterone secretion were similar in GFAP-ApoE3 and GFAP-ApoE4 transgenic male mice. Additionally, increased expression of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and unchanged expression of the glucocorticoid receptor were observed in the hypothalamus of GFAP-ApoE4 mice. However, no significant differences were found in the expression levels of the MR in GFAP-ApoE3 and GFAP-ApoE4 mice at postnatal day 2. In conclusion, we found that MR upregulation rather than corticosterone level changes in the early stage of adulthood was associated with the higher anxiety-like level measured in GFAP-ApoE4 mice.

[Effect of Scalp Electroacupuncture Combined Constraint-induced Movement Therapy on Move- ment Function of Ischemic Stroke Patients' Upper Limbs].

Objective To observe the effects of scalp electroacupuncture (SEA) combined con- straint-induced movement therapy ( CIMT) on movement function of ischemic stroke patients' upper limbs. Methods Totally 80 stroke patients were assigned to four groups according to random digit table, i.e., the routine rehabilitation group, the SEA group, the CIMT group, and the comprehensive intervention group. Patients in the routine rehabilitation group strengthened the training of upper limbs on the affected side by Bobath dominated technology and Brunnstrom assisted technology. Patients in the SEA group received Jiao's SEA combined EA therapy. Those in the CIMT group restricted the upper limbs of the healthy side and strengthened training of the affected side. Those in the comprehensive intervention group used SEA combined CIMT treatment. Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) , grading of hand function and range of wrist movement were observed before intervention, at week 4 and 12 after intervention, respectively. Results Compared with before treatment in the same group, FMA scores of upper limbs significantly increased, grading of hand function, and range of wrist movement were obviously improved in the 4 groups after 4-week treatment (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). There was no statistical difference in FMA scores of upper limbs or grading of hand function among the four groups. But dorsal expansion of wrist and radial deviation were more obviously improved in the comprehensive intervention group than in the routine rehabilitation group (P <0. 05). Compared with the routine rehabilitation group, FMA scores of up- per limbs increased, grading of hand function and range of wrist movement were obviously improved in the comprehensive intervention group (P <0. 05). Conclusions Routine rehabilitation, SEA, and CIMT showed better rehabilitation effect on movement function of ischemic stroke patients' upper limbs. But ESA combined CIMT showed most obvious effect with earliest effect shown.

[Comparative study on substituting hedyseri radix for astragali radix in serum containing yiqiyangxue prescription on aged mice spleen lymphocyte proliferation and anti-oxidant effect].

OBJECTIVE: By substituting Hedyseri Radix for Astragali Radix in Yiqiyangxue prescription, to compare the effects of both serum containing medicine on aged mice spleen lymphocyte proliferation and anti-oxidant effect. METHOD: After using the same dose of Hedyseri Radix to replace Astragali Radix in Yiqiyangxue prescription, the best concentration of serum containing medicine,the best incubation time and the effects of ConA-induced spleen lymphocyte proliferation were determined by MTY method. Use reagent kits to detect the activity of SOD, MDA and ROS levels in aged mice spleen lymphocytes and IL-2 level in culture supernatant fluid of spleen lymphocytes. RESULTS: Both serum containing medicine can enhance the proliferation of aged mice spleen lymphocytes. The best concentration of serum containing medicine was 40% and the incubation time was 72 h. The serum containing Yiqiyangxue of Hedyseri Radix prescription acted more effective than that of Astragali Radix on the enhancement of proliferation. Both serum containing medicine showed similar effects on increasing SOD activity, IL-2 level and decreasing MDA and ROS level. Moreover,serum of Hedyseri Radix was superior in the enhancement of proliferation, IL-2 and the reduction of ROS level. CONCLUSION: Both serum containing medicine of Hedyseri Radix and Astragali Radix generate the same effect of anti-aging and enhancement of proliferation.

[Comparative study of Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative classic tonification prescriptions on humoral immunity in immunosuppressed mice].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the regulating effects of Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative classic tonification prescriptions on humoral immunity in immunosuppressed mice. METHODS: The immunosuppressed mouse model was induced by cyclophosphamide. The mice were administered intragastically with same dose of Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative Buzhong Yiqi Yiqi Yangxue,Yupingfeng oral liquid and Fuqi Zhihan granules for antagonistic experiments in vivo. And spleen index, HC50, CD19+B lymphocyte subgroup and content of serum IL-4 were determined after treatment. RESULTS: Both groups of Hedyseri Radix and Astragali Radix could antagonize immunosuppressive action caused by cyclophosphamide. They both could significantly raise spleen index, HC50, CD19+ B lymphocyte subgroup and content of serum IL4 in different degree. And Yupingfeng aqueous extract of Hedysari Radix substitute Astragali Radix was better than Yupingfeng oral liquid in raising spleen index. There were no significant differences among the rest Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative groups. CONCLUSION: Hedysari Radix compatibility with other drugs compared with original prescription has similar role in humoral immunity regulation.

[Comparative study of Radix Hedyseri as sulstitute for Radix Astragali of yupingfeng oral liquid on cellular immunity in immunosuppressed mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study on Radix Hedyseri as substitute for Radix Astragali of Yupingfeng oral liquid on cellular immunity in immunosuppressed mice. METHODS: The model of immunosuppression mice were induced by Cyclophosphamide. And the same dose of Radix Hedyseri and Radix Astragali alternative Yupingfeng oral liquid was intragastric administrated into mice; Antagonistic experiments were observed in vivo. Determined the thymus gland index, spleen index, phagocytosis of the macrophage, proliferation index of T lymphocyte, kill and wound activity, T lymphocyte subgroup, and content of IL-13 of serum. RESULTS: Yupingfeng oral liquid and Yuping-feng aqueous extract of Radix Hedyseri substitute Radix Astragali both could significant raise thymus gland index and spleen index, and clearly increase the phagocytosis of the macrophage. They both could antagonize immunosuppressive action caused by Cyclophosphamide, which could promote T lymphocyte proliferation, kill and wound activity, quantity of T lymphocyte subgroup, and production of IL-1beta with different degree. And Yupingfeng aqueous extract of Radix Hedyseri substitute Radix Astragali increased spleen index and T lymphocyte proliferation was better than those of Yupingfeng oral liquid. CONCLUSION: Radix Hedyseri and Radix Saposhnikoviae, compatible with Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae compared with Yupingfeng oral liquid in cell immunity regulation has a similar role, and better in the recovery of spleen weight and T cell proliferation.

Identification of a Ctcf cofactor, Yy1, for the X chromosome binary switch.

In mammals, inactivation of one X chromosome in the female equalizes gene dosages between XX females and XY males. Two noncoding loci, Tsix and Xite, together regulate X chromosome fate by controlling homologous chromosome pairing, counting, and mutually exclusive choice. Following choice, the asymmetry of Xite and Tsix expression drives divergent chromosome fates, but how this pattern becomes established is currently unknown. Although no proven trans-acting factors have been identified, a likely candidate is Ctcf, a chromatin insulator with essential function in autosomal imprinting. Here, we search for trans-factors and identify Yy1 as a required cofactor for Ctcf. Paired Ctcf-Yy1 elements are highly clustered within the counting/choice and imprinting domain of Tsix. A deficiency of Yy1 leads to aberrant Tsix and Xist expression, resulting in a deficit of male and female embryos. Yy1 and Ctcf associate through specific protein-protein interactions and together transactivate Tsix. We propose that the Ctcf-Yy1-Tsix complex functions as a key component of the X chromosome binary switch.