[Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Longbishu Capsule Combined Doxazosin Mesylate Tablet].

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Longbishu Capsule (LBS) com- bined Doxazosin Mesylate Tablet (DMT) in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods Total- ly 360 BPH with Shen deficiency blood stasis syndrome (SDBSS) were randomly assigned to group A, B, and C, 120 cases in each group. Patients in Group A took LBS placebos combined DMT. Those in Group B took LBS combined DMT. Those in Group C took LBS combined DMT placebos. The dose for LBS was 3 pills each time, 0. 3 g/pill, twice per day. The dose of DMT was 1 tablet each time, 2 mg/tablet, once per day. The therapeutic course for all was 12 months. A total of 113 cases in Group A were recruited in FAS analysis, 115 cases in Group B, and 116 cases in Group C. Main efficacy indicators [International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) , maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) , Quality of Life (QOL) ] , and sec- ondary efficacy indicators [postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) and prostate volume (PV) , symptoms scores of Chinese medicine (CM) I were observed in each group. The efficacy was analyzed in the three groups by taking average age of subjects (66 years) as the hierarchy factor (50 ≤age ≤66 and <66 0. 05). There was no statistical difference in clinical efficacy among post-treatment groups (P >0. 05). The efficacy in subjects more than 66 years old of Group B was superior to that of Group A and C with statistical difference (P <0. 05). Conclusions LBS, DMT, or LBS combined DMT was safe and effective for treating BPH. LBS combined DMT was suit- able for patients complicated with abnormal PVR or aged over 66 years.

Bandgap Calculation and Experimental Analysis of Piezoelectric Phononic Crystals Based on Partial Differential Equations.

Focusing on the bending wave characteristic of plate-shell structures, this paper derives the complex band curve of piezoelectric phononic crystal based on the equilibrium differential equation in the plane stress state using COMSOL PDE 6.2. To ascertain the computational model's accuracy, the computed complex band curve is then cross-validated against real band curves obtained through coupling simulations. Utilizing this model, this paper investigates the impact of structural and electrical parameters on the bandgap range and the attenuation coefficient in the bandgap. Results indicate that the larger surface areas of the piezoelectric sheet correspond to lower center bands in the bandgap, while increased thickness widens the attenuation coefficient range with increased peak values. Furthermore, the influence of inductance on the bandgap conforms to the variation law of the electrical LC resonance frequency, and increased resistance widens the attenuation coefficient range albeit with decreased peak values. The incorporation of negative capacitance significantly expands the low-frequency bandgap range. Visualized through vibration transfer simulations, the vibration-damping ability of the piezoelectric phononic crystal is demonstrated. Experimentally, this paper finds that two propagation modes of bending waves (symmetric and anti-symmetric) result in variable voltage amplitudes, and the average vibration of the system decreases by 4-5 dB within the range of 1710-1990 Hz. The comparison between experimental and model-generated data confirms the accuracy of the attenuation coefficient calculation model. This convergence between experimental and computational results emphasizes the validity and usefulness of the proposed model, and this paper provides theoretical support for the application of piezoelectric phononic crystals in the field of plate-shell vibration reduction.

[Thought of treating erectile dysfunction by integrative medicine].

Erectile dysfunction (ED) was explored to improve the clinical efficacy in terms of disease identification and syndrome typing, macroscopic and microscopic combination, complementary therapy of Chinese medicine (CM) and Western medicine (WM), and evidence-based medicine (EBM) research methods. And the advantages and disadvantages of CM and WM in treatment of ED were briefly analyzed. How to treat ED by integrative medicine was also addressed

[Treatment of oligospermia/asthenozoospermia patients by three different Chinese medical principles: a randomized control clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of three different Chinese medical principles in treating patients with male infertility (oligospermia/asthenozoospermia). METHODS: Totally 128 patients with male infertility were classified into 3 groups, i.e., Shen-essence deficiency syndrome, Pi-Shen deficiency syndrome, Shen-deficiency blood-stasis syndrome. They were assigned to the Chinese medical treatment group (96 cases) and the Western medical treatment group (32 cases) by stratified randomization in the ratio of 3: 1. Those in the Chinese medical treatment group were treated with Chinese drugs for Shen invigorating and blood activating, Shen invigorating and Pi supplementing, Shen-qi benefiting. Those in the Western medical treatment group were treated with Clomifene (at the daily dose of 25 mg per day, once daily). Three months consisted of one therapeutic course. The parameters of semen, the pregnancy rate, and adverse reactions were observed. RESULTS: Totally 24 patients dropped out in the two group, 17 in the Chinese medical treatment group (9 patients of Shen deficiency blood stasis syndrome, 5 of Shen-Pi deficiency syndrome, and 3 of Shen-essence deficiency syndrome) and 7 in the Western medical treatment group. Compared with before treatment, there was no statistical difference in the improvement of semen amount at 3 months after treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was statistical difference in the improvement of semen density, class A semen, class A +B semen, and 1-h activity ratio (P < 0.05). The improvement was most obvious in Shen deficiency blood stasis syndrome, followed by Shen-Pi deficiency syndrome and Shen-essence deficiency syndrome. The improvement was the weakest in the Western medical treatment group. There was no statistical difference in the improvement of semen amount, semen density, class A semen, or 1-h activity ratio at 3 months after treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05). Best effect was obtained in improving class A + B semen quality in patients of Shen deficiency blood stasis syndrome, showing statistical difference when compared with the other two syndrome types and the Western medical treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). No obvious adverse reaction occurred in the two groups during the treatment course. CONCLUSION: Shen invigorating and blood activating method could improve the semen density and semen activities, and it was superior to other therapeutic methods.

Analysis of Vibration-Damping Characteristics and Parameter Optimization of Cylindrical Cavity Double-Plate Phononic Crystal.

For the application of low-frequency vibration damping in industry, a cylindrical cavity double-layer plate-type local resonance phononic crystal structure is proposed to solve low-frequency vibration in mechanical equipment. Initially, using COMSOL 5.4 software, the bending wave band gap is calculated in conjunction with elastic dynamics theory and the BOLOCH theorem to be 127-384 Hz. Then the mechanism of bending wave gap is analyzed by combining element mode shape and an equivalent model. Subsequently, the bending vibration transmission characteristics of the crystal plate are explained, and the vibration-damping characteristics are illustrated in combination with the time-frequency domain. An experimental system is constructed to verify the vibration-damping properties of crystal plates; the experimental results and simulation results are verified with each other. Finally, the element structural parameters are optimized using the RSM. Fifty-four sets of experiments are designed based on six structural factors and three levels, and the expressions between the bending wave band gap and six structural factors are obtained. Combining the particle swarm algorithm, the optimization is performed with the band gap width as the target. This method is shown to be more accurate than the commonly used interior point method. The structure of cylindrical-cavity-type phononic crystal and the parameter optimization method proposed in this paper provide a certain reference for the design of local-resonance-type phononic crystal.

Anaerobic fermentation featuring wheat bran and rice bran realizes the clean transformation of Chinese cabbage waste into livestock feed.

Rapid aerobic decomposition and a high cost/benefit ratio restrain the transformation of Chinese cabbage waste into livestock feed. Herein, anaerobically co-fermenting Chinese cabbage waste with wheat bran and rice bran at different dry matter levels (250, 300, 350 g/kg fresh weight) was employed to achieve the effective and feasible clean transformation of Chinese cabbage waste, and the related microbiological mechanisms were revealed by high-throughput sequencing technology. The bran treatments caused an increase in pH value (4.75-77.25%) and free amino acid content (12.09-152.66%), but a reduction in lactic acid concentration (54.58-77.25%) and coliform bacteria counts (15.91-20.27%). In addition, the wheat bran treatment improved the levels of short-chain fatty acids, nonprotein nitrogen, water-soluble carbohydrates and antioxidant activity and reduced the ammonia nitrogen contents. In contrast, the rice bran treatment decreased the levels of acetic acid, water-soluble carbohydrates, nonprotein nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, and antioxidant activities. Microbiologically, the bran treatments stimulated Pediococcus, Lactobacillus, Enterobacter, and Weissella but inhibited Lactococcus and Leuconostoc, which were the primary organic acid producers reflected by the redundancy analysis. In addition, Chinese cabbage waste fermented with wheat bran at 350 g/kg fresh weight or with rice bran at 300 g/kg fresh weight increased the scale and complexity of bacteriome, promoted commensalism or mutualism and upregulated the global metabolism pathways, including carbohydrate and amino acid metabolisms. Furthermore, the bran treatments resulted in an increase in bacterial communities that were facultatively anaerobic, biofilm-formed, Gram-negative, potentially pathogenic and stress-tolerant. Collectively, the bran treatments inhibited effluent formation and protein degradation and improved nutrient preservation but reduced organic acid production during the anaerobic fermentation, which is linked to the variations in the bacteriome, indicating that the constructed fermentation system should be further optimized.

Lycopene modulates lipid metabolism in rats and their offspring under a high-fat diet.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lycopene supplementation on lipid metabolism in rats and their offspring. The experiment was conducted on 60 female rats divided into four groups: normal diet, normal diet with 200 mg kg-1 lycopene, high-fat diet, and high-fat diet with 200 mg kg-1 lycopene. The plasma levels of TG, LDL-C, AST and ALT in female rats fed a high-fat diet were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Lycopene supplementation reduced the plasma TG, LEP and AST levels (P < 0.05). In addition, the activity of ACC and mRNA expression of SREBP1c, FAS, PPARγ, CPT1, HMGCR, ACC, PLIN1 and FATP1 in the liver were also increased after feeding a high-fat diet (P < 0.05), whereas the expression of HSL was decreased (P < 0.05). Lycopene increased the activity of HSL and the expression of ATGL in the liver (P < 0.05), and the activity of ACC and mRNA expression of HMGCR and ACC were decreased (P < 0.05). For the offspring, maternal feeding of a high-fat diet reduced the plasma HDL-C levels (P < 0.05), but lycopene supplementation reduced the plasma TC levels (P < 0.05). Maternal high-fat diet also decreased the activity of HSL and the expression of CD36, PLIN1 and FATP1 in the liver while increasing the expression of PPARγ (P < 0.05). Maternal lycopene supplementation decreased the activities of ACC and FAS in the liver and decreased the expression of PPARγ, ACC and PLIN1 (P < 0.05). Maternal feeding of a high-fat diet increased the level of oxidative stress in the liver, the level of blood lipids in plasma and the rate of lipid production in the liver of rats and their offspring. Maternal lycopene supplementation can reduce the level of oxidative stress in rats and their offspring, reduce the level of blood lipids in plasma, and also reduce the rate of lipid production in the liver of rats and offspring.

Hybrid Antimicrobial Peptide Targeting Staphylococcus aureus and Displaying Anti-infective Activity in a Murine Model.

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) kill bacteria indiscriminately, increasing the possibility of an ecological imbalance in the microbiota. To solve this problem, new types of AMPs, which kill pathogenic bacteria without breaking the micro-ecological balance of the body, were proposed. Here, we successfully designed a targeting AMP, S2, which is a fusion peptide composed of a species-specific targeting domain and broad-spectrum AMP domain. In the current study, S2 showed specific killing activity against Staphylococcus aureus, and almost no resistance induced compared to penicillin. Mechanism studies indicated that S2 killed S. aureus by destroying the bacterial membrane. Meanwhile, S2 possessed excellent salt-tolerance properties and biocompatibility. Importantly, S2 exhibited perfect treatment efficacy against an S. aureus subcutaneous infection model and remained nontoxic. In conclusion, this study provides a promising strategy for designing specific AMPs against growing bacterial infections.

Effectiveness and Safety Evaluation of Qixiong Zhongzi Decoction () in Idiopathic Asthenozoospermia Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of the Chinese medicine (CM) Qixiong Zhongzi Decoction (, QZD) in the treatment of patients with idiopathic asthenozoospermia. METHODS: A total number of 66 patients with idiopathic asthenozoospermia were included and randomly divided into treatment and control groups by SAS-generated code from January 2015 to August 2016, 33 patients in each group. Patients in the treatment group were administered with 150 mL of QZD twice a day, whereas those in the control group were given 1 g of levocarnitine oral liquid twice a day. The two groups received the indicated medication for 12 weeks and were then followed up for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was sperm motility, and the secondary therapeutic indices were sperm volume, density, pregnancy probability, and CM syndrome score. The comparison between groups was carried out at 4, 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. The safety was determined before and after treatment. RESULTS: (1) Drop-off: 5 cases (7.58%) were lost after treatment (2 from the treatment group and 3 from the control group). (2) Primary outcomes: after 8- and 12-week treatment, the progressive sperms in the two groups were significantly higher than the baseline (all P<0.05); however, the treatment group showed greater improvement compared with the control group at 12-week treatment (22.7% ± 9.0% vs. 14.1% ±8.8%, P<0.05). The increasement of non-progressive grade sperms at both groups was observed at 8- and 12-week treatment with statistical difference (all P<0.05), however, the treatment group showed remarkable improvement compared with the control group at 12-week treatment (38.7% ±14.1% vs. 26.2% ±15.4%, P<0.05). (3) Secondary outcomes: no significant statistical differences were found in semen volume and density (4, 8, and 12-week treatment) and pregnancy probability of patients' wives (12-week treatment) between two groups (all P>0.05), however, the CM syndrome score of the treatment group significantly declined compared with baseline level at each time points (all P<0.05). (4) Safety: no obvious side reactions were found during the treatment in both groups. CONCLUSION: QZD could improve the progressive and non-progressive grade sperm in the treatment of idiopathic asthenozoospermia. It is safe with no obvious side effects.

[Thinking and methods for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with integrative medicine].

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is commonly encountered in males more than 50-years-old, its clinical symptom is mainly manifestated as the dysuresia, which could seriously affect the health and quality of life of aged persons. It was suggested in this paper that the integrated medical treatment for BPH should put prominence to the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), go on the way of combining disease with syndrome and integrating macroscopic with microscopic treatment. Moreover, some methods are proposed, such as to establish practical animal model, unfold experimental research, create TCM efficacy evaluating system, improve dosage form of Chinese drugs, so as to explore the thinking ways for treatment of BPH with integrated medicine.

[Clinical observation on ziyin tongbi decoction in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ziyin Tongbi Decoction (ZTD) in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Adopting randomized positive controlled clinical trial method, the 100 BPH patients were assigned to two groups equally. The treatment group was medicated with ZTD, one dose per day, consisting of wild weed 12 g, yellow cocktree bark 12 g, rehmannia root 10 g, Chinese yam 15 g, bitter cardamon 10 g, red sage root 10 g, burreed tuber 8 g, tumeric rhizome 8 g, mantis egg-case 8 g, ground beetle 8 g, Zhejiang fritillary bulb 10 g, and prunella spike 15 g, etc., by decocting with water, taking twice daily and 150 mL each time. The control group was treated by Longbishu Capsule, a product of Kedi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., consisting of psoralea fruit, motherwort, and lysimachia, etc., twice a day, 0.9 g each time. A course of 4 weeks was given to both groups. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by changes in TCM symptoms after treatment (including frequency of night urination, degree of dysuria, condition of urinary thread, soreness and weakness in loin and knees, lower abdominal distention, spiritless and general weakness), the International Prostate Syndrome Score (I-PSS), maximum flow rate (Qmax), residual urine volume and prostate volume. RESULTS: The TCM symptoms were improved in the treatment group after treatment, showing significant as compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05); as compared with the control group, the difference in urinary thread and lower abdominal distention in treatment group was significant improved (P < 0.05). The total effective rate in the treatment group was 89.00% (43/48), while that in the control group was 73.46% (36/49), showing statistically significant difference between them (P < 0.01). The efficacy in the treatment group in aspect of improving I-PSS and Qmax was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The residual urine volume was reduced in both group, as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05), but showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). No obvious change of the prostate volume was found in both two groups after treatment (P > 0.05). There are 4 patients in the treatment group and 5 in the control group complained of slight adverse reactions as gastric discomfort and dry mouth, but these were not attended and showed no affection on the treatment. CONCLUSION: ZTD is effective and safe for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

[Effect of Qianlie Huazhuo Capsule for treatment of chronic prostatitis of dampness-heat stagnancy type].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of Qianlie Huazhuo Capsule (QHC) on patients with chronic prostatitis of dampness-heat stagnancy type (CP-DHS). METHODS: Sixty-five patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group (32 cases) treated with QHC and the control group (33 cases) treated with Qianlie Jiedu Capsule, for 1 month respectively. The clinical efficacy was evaluated at the end of the 2nd and 4th month, their quality of life (QOL) was estimated by NIH Chronic Prostatitis Syndrome Index (NIH-CPSI) and patients' capacity was estimated by SF-12 scale as well. RESULTS: Out of patients in the treatment group, 2 got cured, notable effect showed in 15, effective in 9, and ineffective in 6, the total effective rate being 81.2%, while in the 33 patients of the control group, 2 got cured, notable effect in 5, effective in 13 and ineffective in 13, the total effective rate 60.6%, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant in the total efficacy (P < 0.05). As compared with the control group, the NIH-CPSI score for QOL was significantly lower, SF-12 physical capacity score was better in the treatment group (both P < 0.05), and SF-12 mental capacity score in the two groups showed insignificant difference. CONCLUSION: QHC could obtain good effect for the treatment of CP-DHS.

[Clinical observation on treatment of oligospermia and asthenospermia with Liuwu Shengjing Decoction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Liuwu Shengjing Decoction (LWD) in treating oligospermia and asthenospermia. METHODS: One hundred and fourteen patients were randomized into two groups, the treated group administrated with self-formulated LWD, and the control group administrated with Wuzi Yanzong Pill (WYP). All were treated for 3 months. Patients' semen was analyzed before and after treatment, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 94.8% in the treated group, with a partner pregnant rate of 8.6% (5/58), while in the control group, they were 85.7% and 5.4% (3/56) respectively. The efficacy in the treated group was better (P = 0.03). Patients' sperm count and viability of sperm were improved in both groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but the improvement in the treated group was superior (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LWD could effectively improve the condition of male infertility with oligospermia and asthenospermia.

Effect of Longbishu capsule () plus doxazosin on benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Longbishu Capsule (, LBS), doxazosin, and combination therapy on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, multi-center parallel trial was conducted involving 360 patients in hospitals in Beijing (108 cases), Heilongjiang (90 cases), Sichuan (90 cases), Shanghai (72 cases), China. They were randomly assigned with central randomization method to group A (LBS placebo plus doxazosin), group B (LBS plus doxazosin) or group C (LBS plus doxazosin placebo), 120 cases for each group. The international prostate symptom score, maximum urinary flow rate, postvoid residual urine volume and prostate volume were measured for evaluating the efficacy of the three treatments. RESULTS: At baseline, there was no significant difference in the measured variables among the three groups. After 12-month treatment, the three groups showed significant improvements in IPSS and maximum urinary flow rate from baseline (P<0.01). Although postvoid residual urine volume was not significantly different from the baseline in group A (P>0.05), it significantly decreased in group B and C (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse events were similar among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of LBS alone or LBS plus doxazosin was able to significantly improve IPSS in patients with BPH. The treatments may reduce the increase in prostate volume and postvoid residual urine volume as well.