[Medication experience of TCM Master Academician Wang Qi in the treatment of premature ejaculation: Data mining and analysis].

Objective: To analyze the academic thought, medication experience and prescription rules of Academician Wang Qi in the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE) using the TCM inheritance support platform (V2.5). METHODS: We collected and sorted out the medical records on the treatment of PE from Academician Wang Qi's Clinic. We established a database of medical records on the TCM inheritance support platform, analyzed the drugs and prescriptions in the database and explored new prescriptions using "statistical reports" and "data analysis" systems on the platform. RESULTS: A total of 91 effective prescriptions were recorded, involving 148 TCM drugs, with Phellodendron, Amomum Villosum, Polygala Tenuifolia, Tuckahoe, Lodestone, Oyster, Acanthopanax Senticosus, Uncaria, Tribulus, and Keel as the top 10 with the highest frequency of use, which were featured mainly by "warm" and "cold" concerning the four natures, "sweet", "bitter" and "pungent" relating to the five flavors, and acting on "kidney meridian", "liver meridian" and "heart meridian" in terms of the meridian tropisms. In addition, 5 new prescriptions were obtained through unsupervised entropy hierarchical clustering. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of PE, Academician Wang Qi employs tranquilizing the mind and consolidating the kidney (An Zhi Gu Shen) as the primary strategy, taking into account the three organs of heart, liver and kidneys, focusing on the phase of calming the mind or regulating the liver or clearing the kidney or controlling fire, and adding or reducing drugs according to different conditions and syndromes, which conforms to his diagnosis and treatment mode of "body differentiation－disease differentiation－syndrome differentiation". The analysis of the potential new prescriptions also accords with Academician Wang Qi's rules of medication, which can provide some ideas for the clinical treatment of and scientific researches on premature ejaculation in the future.

[Academician Wang Qi's medication rules for oligoasthenozoospermia: An analysis based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Auxiliary Platform].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the medication rules for oligoasthenozoospermia (OAZ) observed by Wang Qi, an academician, master of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and initiator of andrology in TCM. METHODS: We collected the outpatient cases of OAZ treated by Wang Qi and established a database of clinical medical records using the TCM Inheritance Auxiliary Platform. Employing the integrated rule-based system for analysis of the software, we modified the mutual information method, complex system entropy clustering analysis and other data mining methods, and summarized the medication rules Wang Qi followed in the treatment of OAZ. RESULTS: A total of 134 prescriptions made by Wang Qi for the treatment of OAZ were collected, involving 110 TCM drugs, which are mainly neutral and warm in nature and taste sweet and mostly act through the liver and kidney meridians. The core formula ingredients of the prescriptions included Morinda officinalis, Cuscuta chinensis, Lycium barbarum, Mulberry, Angelica sinensis, Astragalus mongholicus and Fish Maw, and most frequently Morinda officinalis, Cuscuta chinensis, Lycium barbarum and Mulberry. CONCLUSIONS: Wang Qi holds that kidney deficiency, dampness-heat, blood stasis and toxin are the main pathogenic factors for OAZ. The basic treatment of OAZ is to invigorate the kidney and replenish the essence, and meanwhile activate blood circulation, dissipate stasis and eliminate dampness-heat.

[Bazi Granules improves sperm quality in rats with oligoasthenozoospermia induced by multi-glycosides of tripterygium wilfordii].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Bazi Granules on sperm quality in male rats with oligoasthenozoospermia (OAS) induced by multi-glycosides of tripterygium wilfordii (GTW). METHODS: Thirty-six SD male rats were randomly divided into six groups of equal number: normal control, OAS model control, Wuziyanzong Pills (WYP), and low-, medium- and high-dose Bazi. The OAS model was established in the rats except those of the normal control group by intragastrical delivery of GTW at 30 mg/kg/d for 40 days. From the 41st day, the animals of the normal and OAS model control groups were fed with distilled water, those of the WYP group treated by gavage with WYP at 1.02 g/kg/d, and those of the low-, medium- and high-dose Bazi groups intragastically given Bazi Granules 3 (5.27 g/kg), 6 (10.54 g/kg) and 12 (21.08 g/kg) times, respectively, that of the human-equivalent dose. Semen parameters and the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the testis tissue were determined after 28 days of treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the rats of the of the high-, medium- and low-dose Bazi groups, compared with the OAS model controls, showed significant increases in sperm concentration (ï¼»1 050.71 ± 203.71ï¼½, ï¼»1 370.06 ± 166.01ï¼½ and ï¼»1 302.53 ± 476.51ï¼½ vs ï¼»617.01 ± 237.08ï¼½ ×106/ml, P < 0.05), sperm motility (ï¼»0.56 ± 0.24ï¼½%, ï¼»0.73 ± 0.14ï¼½% and ï¼»0.70 ± 0.23ï¼½% vs ï¼»0.07 ± 0.05ï¼½%, P < 0.05), sperm average path velocity (ï¼»85.71 ± 30.35ï¼½, ï¼»83.83 ± 10.31ï¼½ and ï¼»75.06 ± 19.70ï¼½ vs ï¼»43.45 ± 38.74ï¼½ µm/s, P < 0.05), sperm curvilinear velocity (ï¼»101.76 ± 23.28ï¼½, ï¼»119.60 ± 21.22ï¼½ and ï¼»102.11 ± 32.89ï¼½ vs ï¼»53.63 ± 47.91ï¼½ µm/s, P < 0.05), sperm straight line velocity (ï¼»62.75 ± 7.63ï¼½, ï¼»67.80 ± 5.05ï¼½ and ï¼»64.11 ± 12.03ï¼½ vs ï¼»40.18 ± 36.86ï¼½ µm/s, P < 0.05), and the SOD level (ï¼»380.23 ± 75.07ï¼½, ï¼»349.53 ± 97.48ï¼½ and ï¼»415.07 ± 72.01ï¼½ vs ï¼»304.62 ± 27.17ï¼½ U/mg, P < 0.05), but a remarkable decrease in the MDA level (ï¼»0.33 ± 0.16ï¼½, ï¼»0.22 ± 0.05ï¼½ and ï¼»0.34 ± 0.22ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.73 ± 0.20ï¼½ nmol/mg, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bazi Granules can significantly improve the sperm quality of OAS rats, which may be related to its abilities of repairing oxidative stress injury and enhancing oxidation resistance.

Effectiveness of tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss in spinal surgery: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of present meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of tranexamic acid (TXA) use in reducing blood loss and the related thrombotic complications in spinal surgery. METHODS: Three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library) were searched through October 2012 to identify the relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the TXA effective in spinal surgery. Mean differences (MDs) of blood loss, blood transfusions, and postoperative partial thromboplastic time (PTT), odds ratios (ORs) of blood transfusion and thrombotic complication in TXA-treated group compared to placebo group were extracted and combined using random-effect meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 6 RCTs comprising 411 patients were included in the meta-analysis according to the pre-defined selection criteria. TXA-treated group had significantly less amount of blood loss and blood transfusions per patient, and had smaller proportion of patients who required a blood transfusion compared with the placebo group. The use of TXA can significantly reduce the postoperative PTT with weighted MD of -1.59 [(95% confidence interval (CI):-3.07, -0.10] There is a null association between thrombosis complications and the use of TXA. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of TXA in patients undergoing spinal surgery appears to be effective in reducing the amount of blood loss, the volume of blood transfusion, the transfusion rate, and the postoperative PTT. However, data were too limited for any conclusions regarding safety. More high-quality RCTs are required before recommending the administered of TXA in spinal surgery.

Disulfide-stabilized trimeric hemagglutinin ectodomains provide enhanced heterologous influenza protection.

Influenza virus infection poses a continual menace to public health. Here, we developed soluble trimeric HA ectodomain vaccines by establishing interprotomer disulfide bonds in the stem region, which effectively preserve the native antigenicity of stem epitopes. The stable trimeric H1 ectodomain proteins exhibited higher thermal stabilities in comparison with unmodified HAs and showed strong binding activities towards a panel of anti-stem cross-reactive antibodies that recognize either interprotomer or intraprotomer epitopes. Negative stain transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed the stable trimer architecture of the interprotomer disulfide-stapled WA11#5, NC99#2, and FLD#1 proteins as well as the irregular aggregation of unmodified HA molecules. Immunizations of mice with those trimeric HA ectodomain vaccines formulated with incomplete Freund's adjuvant elicited significantly more potent cross-neutralizing antibody responses and offered broader immuno-protection against lethal infections with heterologous influenza strains compared to unmodified HA proteins. Additionally, the findings of our study indicate that elevated levels of HA stem-specific antibody responses correlate with strengthened cross-protections. Our design strategy has proven effective in trimerizing HA ectodomains derived from both influenza A and B viruses, thereby providing a valuable reference for designing future influenza HA immunogens.

[A modified goat model of acute spinal cord compression injury from a percutaneous balloon catheter: method feasibility and preliminary observation].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a goat model of acute spinal cord compression injury through a modified percutaneous technique with a Foley double-lumen urine catheter and explore the method feasibility and preliminary observation. METHODS: Twelve adult male Chongming goats were randomly divided into 3 groups:control (A, n = 4), 0.5 ml compression (B, n = 4) and 1 ml compression (C, n = 4). After local anesthesia, all animals received epidural balloon catheter (5Fr) insertion via a percutaneous trans-lumbosacral interlaminar space technique that mimicked the method used in vascular access for angiography. The balloon catheter was advanced under fluoroscopic guidance until its distal tip reached the middle of T6 level.One week later, for groups B and C, the balloon was inflated by half-strength contrast material, 0.5 ml and 1 ml, respectively. The balloon was left inflated for 30 min and then deflated. The images of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) were taken before and after surgical procedures.Quantitative assessment of spine canal occupying rate was accomplished by an off-line software program based on CT results. Motor function was assessed by the modified Tarlov scale. Two animals of each group were sacrificed after a total observation period of 48 h and 72 h respectively.Spinal cords from the injured level were then obtained for pathologic examinations. RESULTS: All animals underwent successful catheterization occupying 6.8%±0.7% (Group A), 6.7%±0.7% (Group B) and 6.6%±0.6% (Group C) of spine canal respectively. After inflation, the occupying rate of groups B and C achieved 43.4%±2.5% and 88.1%±2.3% respectively.Ventral compression of spinal cord was noted on MR images.Hindlimb movement remained normal after catheter insertion in all groups. All animals in group B and C became paraplegic after inflation. And a positive correlation existed between injection volume and Tarlov score. Pathological findings confirmed neuron atrophy, increased gap around neurons, mild demyelination and vacuolar degeneration both in groups B and C at 48 h after injury. Pathological changes deteriorated at 72 h after injury. CONCLUSION: The results of behavioral evaluation, radiographic images and pathological examination reveal an evidence of acute spinal cord injury. Percutaneous epidural balloon catheter insertion differs from previous techniques by avoiding surgical exposure and associated artifacts, yet it offers injury mechanisms similar to those of human spinal cord injury. As a new means of modeling spinal cord injury in animals, this technique has many potential applications.

Non-coding RNAs: Role in diabetic foot and wound healing.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and poor wound healing are chronic complications in patients with diabetes. The increasing incidence of DFU has resulted in huge pressure worldwide. Diagnosing and treating this condition are therefore of great importance to control morbidity and improve prognosis. Finding new markers with potential diagnostic and therapeutic utility in DFU has gathered increasing interest. Wound healing is a process divided into three stages: Inflammation, proliferation, and regeneration. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which are small protected molecules transcribed from the genome without protein translation function, have emerged as important regulators of diabetes complications. The deregulation of ncRNAs may be linked to accelerated DFU development and delayed wound healing. Moreover, ncRNAs can be used for therapeutic purposes in diabetic wound healing. Herein, we summarize the role of microRNAs, long ncRNAs, and circular RNAs in diverse stages of DFU wound healing and their potential use as novel therapeutic targets.

A genetic variant of apolipoprotein M increases susceptibility to coronary artery disease in a Chinese population.

1. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is widely accepted as a lipoprotein that protects against coronary artery and other atherosclerotic diseases. Recently, a new apolipoprotein encoded by the APOM gene, which plays an important role in affecting the intrinsic properties of HDL, has been reported. Genetic variations exist in the APOM gene, but their significance is presently unclear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether the APOM T-855C mutant allele is implicated in coronary artery disease (CAD). 2. In the present study, 418 patients with CAD and 372 controls were studied, all of whom were Han Chinese from Jiangsu Province, China. Plasma levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were evaluated. Genomic DNA from the whole blood from these subjects was subjected to polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction enzyme digestion to determine genotype with respect to the APOM T-855C polymorphism. 3. The allelic frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Plasma HDL levels were significantly lower in subjects with CAD than in control subjects (1.08 +/- 0.31 vs 1.25 +/- 0.32, respectively; P < 0.001) and the distribution of genotypes and allelic frequencies was significantly different in the two groups (P = 0.013 and 0.005, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis after adjustment for age, gender, smoking, body mass index, hypertension and serum glucose showed that, compared with the wild-type TT genotype, carriers of the C allele had an increased risk of CAD (odds ratio = 1.819, 95% confidence interval 1.142-2.898; P = 0.012). 4. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that the APOM T-855C polymorphism carries an increased risk for CAD in this Chinese population.

Association between apolipoprotein A5 - 1131T > C polymorphism and susceptibility of coronary artery disease in Chinese.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between apolipoprotein A5(apoA5) - 1131T > C polymorphism and the susceptibility of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Chinese. METHODS: The restriction fragment length polymorphism of apoA5 gene - 1131T > C was studied using PCR in a case-control study which enrolled 235 patients with CAD diagnosed by angiography and 262 healthy controls from Jiangsu province. RESULTS: The frequencies of T, C allele were 59.57%ì40.43% and 65.65%, 34.35% in CAD group and control group respectively. There was statistically significant difference in allele frequencies between CAD group and control group (P < 0.05). The susceptibility to CAD for the CC genotype was much higher than that for wild type TT (OR = 1.872, 95% CI = 1.039 - 3.376, P = 0.037), even after the use of Logistic regression models (OR = 2.285, 95% CI = 1.222 - 4.274, P = 0.012). In control group, there was significant difference in TG levels among different genotypes, the C allele carriers had higher serum TG concentration (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: apoA5 - 1131T > C polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of CAD and is also in strong association with serum TG levels.

[Research advancement of the distal radius fracture].

Distal radius fracture is one of the most common injuries of human beings, particularly in young males and elderly females. There are various classifications among which classification by author' names and the AO fracture classification system are most frequently used. Although the latter one is overall and consummate, a precise classification system with complete description of the fracture remains to be raised. Recently, with the development of wrist biomechanics and microscope anatomy, more and more studies were made to treat distal radius fracture. Good reduction and fixation are the key points for treatment. In tenns uf treatment, several options exist. Nonoperative management consists of closed replacoment and external fixation. Operative treatments includes intrafocal pinning ,non-bridging and bridging external fixation , various methods of open reduction internal fixation and hone or bone substitute transplantation. Besides, arthroscopic-assisted external fixation and artificial joint for wrist become a new hot spot. However,any single therapy could not treat all sorts of distal radius fractures. Therefore, it is better to institute individualized therapy according to different fracture characteristics of each patient in order to achieve the best curative effect. This review aims to make a conclusion about advancement in distal radius fractures, in aspects of epidemiology, classification and treatment.

Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction improves the low density lipoprotein receptor gene expression in HepG2 cells.

Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction had been employed in gene delivery and promised great potential. Liver has unique features that make it attractive for gene therapy. However, it poses formidable obstacles to hepatocyte-specific gene delivery. This study was designed to test the efficiency of therapeutic gene transfer and expression mediated by ultrasound/microbubble strategy in HepG2 cell line. Air-filled albumin microbubbles were prepared and mixed with plasmid DNA encoding low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and green fluorescent protein. The mixture of the DNA and microbubbles was administer to cultured HepG2 cells under variable ultrasound conditions. Transfection rate of the transferred gene and cell viability were assessed by FACS analysis, confocal laser scanning microscopy, Western blot analysis and Trypan blue staining. The result demonstrated that microbubbles with ultrasound irradiation can significantly elevate exogenous LDLR gene expression and the expressed LDLRs were functional and active to uptake their ligands. We conclude that ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction has the potential to promote safe and efficient LDLR gene transfer into hepatocytes. With further refinement, it may represent an effective nonviral avenue of gene therapy for liver-involved genetic diseases.