Surgical treatment for type Stanford A aortic dissection with Kommerell's diverticulum / 中华外科杂志

To examine the outcomes of surgical treatment in patients of type Stanford A aortic dissection with Kommerell's diverticulum. From January 2009 to August 2017, patients of type Stanford A aortic dissection with Kommerell's diverticulum who underwent the Sun procedure were enrolled. Patient demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, early morbidity and mortality data were collected from medical and electronic patient records. Clinical follow-up data, including late morbidity and mortality, were obtained by telephone interview with the patient. A total of 13 patients (11 males and 2 females; mean age 47 years) were included. The mean maximum diameter of Kommerell's diverticulum was (21.8±7.7) mm. The Kommerell's diverticulum was repaired by direct suture of the orifice in 3 patients, ligation of the aberrant right subclavian artery in 9 patients, and suture and ligation in 1 patient, respectively. No perioperative death occurred. One patient underwent a reexploration for bleeding. There were 2 late deaths: unknown reason in 1 patient and septic shock secondary to renal abscess in 1 patient. Reintervention was performed in one patient for a persistent type Ⅱ endoleak. The Sun procedure with femoral artery cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass, unilateral carotid artery cannulation for selective cerebral perfusion and ligation of aberrant right subclavian artery on the right side of the trachea is an appropriate therapeutic strategy for patients of type Stanford A aortic dissection with Kommerell's diverticulum.

Effects of Polygonum cuspidatum on AMPK-FOXO3α Signaling Pathway in Rat Model of Uric Acid-Induced Renal Damage / 中国结合医学杂志

BACKGROUND@#To observe the effects of Chinese medicine (CM) Polygonum cuspidatum (PC) on adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), forkhead box O3α (FOXO3α), Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in a rat model of uric acid-induced renal damage and to determine the molecular mechanism.@*METHODS@#A rat model of uric acid-induced renal damage was established, and rats were randomly divided into a model group, a positive drug group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose PC groups (n=12 per group). A normal group (n=6) was used as the control. Rats in the normal and model groups were administered distilled water (10 mL•kg) by intragastric infusion. Rats in the positive drug group and the high-, medium-, and low-dose PC groups were administered allopurinol (23.33 mg•kg), and 7.46, 3.73, or 1.87 g•kg•d PC by intragastric infusion, respectively for 6 to 8 weeks. After the intervention, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect AMPK, FOXO3α, TLR4, NLRP3, and MCP-1 mRNA and protein levels in renal tissue or serum.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal group, the mRNA transcription levels of AMPK and FOXO3α in the model group were significantly down-regulated, and protein levels of AMPKα1, pAMPKα1 and FOXO3α were significantly down-regulated at the 6th and 8th weeks (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The mRNA transcription and protein levels of TLR4, NLRP3 and MCP-1 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with the model group, at the 6th week, the mRNA transcription levels of AMPK in the high- and medium-dose groups, and protein expression levels of AMPKα1, pAMPKα1 and FOXO3α in the high-dose PC group, AMPKα1 and pAMPKα1 in the mediumdose PC group, and pAMPKα1 in the low-dose PC group were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01 or P<0.05); the mRNA transcription and protein levels of TLR4 and NLRP3 in the 3 CM groups, and protein expression levels of MCP-1 in the medium- and low-dose PC groups were down-regulated (P<0.01 or P<0.05). At the 8th week, the mRNA transcription levels of AMPK in the high-dose PC group and FOXO3α in the medium-dose PC group, and protein levels of AMPKα1, pAMPKα1 and FOXO3α in the 3 CM groups were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01 or P<0.05); the mRNA transcription levels of TLR4 in the medium- and low-dose PC groups, NLRP3 in the high- and low-dose PC groups and MCP-1 in the medium- and low-dose PC groups, and protein expression levels of TLR4, NLRP3 and MCP-1 in the 3 CM groups were down-regulated (P<0.01 or P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#PC up-regulated the expression of AMPK and its downstream molecule FOXO3α and inhibited the biological activity of TLR4, NLRP3, and MCP-1, key signal molecules in the immunoinflammatory network pathway, which may be the molecular mechanism of PC to improve hyperuricemia-mediated immunoinflflammatory metabolic renal damage.

Renal mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma combined with multiple bone metastasis: a case report and literature review / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC) is a rare sub-type of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It has been considered to be a kind of "indolent" tumor with low-grade fashion, weak invasive capacity and relatively favorable prognosis. However, in the current case, a 3.7 cm×2.8 cm spherical mass with contrast enhancement was found in the left kidney incidentally by computed tomography (CT) in a 60-year-old male patient. A lesion in the right humerus (2.1 cm×1.6 cm×3.1 cm) was found at the same time without any symptoms or sign of pathological fracture by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Further positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scan which was ordered immediately after admission suggested multiple bone destruction including skull, pelvis, sternum, right humerus and femur, left scapula, multiple vertebrae and libs. Pathological examination after radical nephrectomy and palliative resection with internal fixation of the lesion in the right humerus indicated that both renal (3.0 cm×3.0 cm×2.5 cm) and bone lesions were MTSCC with the features of high-grade ovoid epithelioid cells, cord-like spindle cells and mucinous matrix under light microscope. The diagnosis of renal MTSCC concurrent with multiple bone metastasis was made. This case report suggested the necessity of general evaluation, especially bone scan for possible distant metastasis, as MTSCC might present unexpected advanced behaviors without any orthopedic symptoms. The behavior of bone metastasis might be associated with male and elderly age. MTSCC has similar enhancement features to papillary RCC on CT scan. As results, attentions are needed to differentiate MTSCC from papillary RCC as they both tend to show lesser enhancement degrees than cortex. Rather than exhibiting a dedifferentiating appearance, the pathological characteristics of bone metastasis lesion were close to those of primary renal lesion. The reason of distant metastasis to the bone remained unclear, negative expression of cytokeratin (CK) 7 might be attributed to. Though immunotherapy, chemotherapy and target therapy could all be methods for systematic therapies, procedures to remove renal lesions and prevent skeletal related events are still highly recommended.

Effect of Banxia Qinlian Decoction on Th17/IL-17 Immune Inflammatory Way of Sjögren's Syndrome NOD Model Mice / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the molecular mechanism of exocrine immune inflammatory injury of Sjögren's Syndrome and the intervention of Banxia Qinlian Decoction (BQD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 18 female NOD mice were randomly divided into the model group, the positive drug group, and the BQD group, 6 in each group. Six female BALB/c mice were recruited as a blank control group. Mice in the blank control group and the model group were gavaged with deionized water at the daily dose of 0.1 mL/10 g body weight. Tripterygium Tablet was administered by gastrogavage to mice in the positive group at the daily dose of 10 mg/kg. BQD was administered by gastrogavage to mice in the BQD group at the daily dose of 60 g crude drugs/kg. After 12 weeks of medication, mice were sacrificed. Their eyeballs were excised and blood collected. Tissues of bilateral parotids and submandibular glands were kept. mRNA transcriptional levels of IL-17, IL-6, type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M3R), aquaporin protein-5 (AQP5) were detected by RT-PCR. Expression levels of M3R and AQP5 protein were detected by Western blot. Protein expression levels of IL-17 and IL-6 were detected by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal group, mRNA transcriptional levels and protein expression levels of IL-17, IL-6, M3R, and AQP5 were significantly up-regulated in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, mRNA transcriptional levels and protein expression levels of IL-17, IL-6, M3R, and AQP5 were significantly down-regulated in the positive drug group and the BQD group with statistical difference (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the BQD group, mRNA-transcriptional levels of IL-17, IL-6, and M3R, as well as M3R and AQP5 protein expression levels were significantly down-regulated in the positive drug group (all P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The molecular mechanism of BQD in inhibiting SS exocrine neurotoxic injury might be possibly related to regulating Th17/IL-17 immune inflammatory way.</p>

Yimusake Tablet: safe and efficacious for premature ejaculation / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To objectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of Yimusake Tablet in the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE) through a multi-centered large-sample trial.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We conducted a multi-centered, open, fixed-dose, and self-compared clinical trial among 300 patients with diagnosed PE. The trial lasted 12 weeks, including 4 weeks without any medication and 8 weeks of treatment with Yimusake Tablet, 2 pills (1 g) per night. We observed the intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) before and after treatment, evaluated the safety of medication, and performed a questionnaire investigation on the patients' satisfaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 300 PE patients, 288 accomplished the clinical trial. The patients ranged in age from 22 to 60 years, averaging at 31.6 years. The mean IELT of the patient was 62.5 seconds at baseline, 168.9 seconds after 4 weeks of treatment with Yimusake Tablet, and 222.2 seconds after 8 weeks of medication. Among the 157 patients with normal erectile function (IIEF >21), the mean IELT was 71.4 seconds before treatment, 147.4 seconds after 4 weeks of medication, and 172.5 seconds after 8 weeks of medication. The patients' satisfaction was significantly increased after treatment. Those complicated by mild to moderate erectile dysfunction achieved different degrees of improvement in the IIEF-5 score, with a mean increase of 3.8. Only a few patients experienced mild adverse events, including constipation, dry mouth, nose bleeding, abdominal pain, and lumbosacral pain, which were all relieved without drug withdrawal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Yimusake Tablet is a safe and effective medicine for the treatment of PE.</p>

Effect of compound qingqin liquid on the expression of toll-like receptor in the renal tissue of rats with urate nephropathy / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of compound qingqin liquid (CQL) on Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in rats with urate nephropathy, and to explore its renal protection mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 55 SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control group (n =5), the model group (n =10), the positive drug group (n=10), and the high-, medium-, low-dose CQL groups (n=10) respectively. The urate nephropathy model was induced by intragastrically administering adenine and feeding yeast. Distilled water was intragastrically administered at the daily dose of 10 mL/kg to rats in the normal control group and the model group. Allopurinol was intragastrically administered at the daily dose of 9.33 mg/kg to rats in the positive control group. CQL was intragastrically administered at the daily dose of 3.77, 1.89, 0.94 g/kg to rats in the high-, medium-, and low-dose CQL groups. Rats of each group were executed in batches at the 4th and 6th week respectively. Their kidney tissues were taken out to determine the mRNA transcription level of TLR2 and TLR4 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression level of TLR2 and TLR4 were determined by Western blot. The protein expression level of TLR4 was also detected by immunohistochemical assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At week 4 and 6, the protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 as well as the mRNA transcription of TLR4 increased in the model group, when compared with the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, there was no statistical difference in the transcription level of TLR2 mRNA or TLR4 mRNA among the 3 CQL groups (P > 0.05) at week 4 and 6. Additionally, at week 6, the protein expression of TLR4 and TLR2 could be reduced by CQL (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CQL might protect kidney tissue against inflammatory injury by inhibiting the protein expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4.</p>

Effect of compound qingqin liquid on the expression levels of ang II and COX-2 mRNA transcription and protein expression in the renal tissue of uric acid nephropathy rats: an experimental study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Compound Qingqin Liquid (CQL) on the expression level of angiotensin II (Ang II) and COX-2 mRNA transcription and protein expression in the renal tissue of rats with uric acid nephropathy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, the model group, the positive drug group, the high, moderate, and low dose CQL group according to number randomization principle. The model was established by gastrogavage of adenine, accompanied with yeast feeding. Distilled water was given by gastrogavage to rats in the blank control group and the model group. Allopurinol at the daily dose of 9.33 mg/kg was given by gastrogavage to rats of the positive control group. CQL at the daily dose of 3.77 g/kg, 1.89 g/kg, and 0.09 g/kg was respectively given by gastrogavage to rats in the high, moderate, and low dose CQL groups. All treatment lasted for 6 weeks. Rats were randomly divided at week 4 (3 in the blank control group, and 6 in the rest groups), and the rest rats were killed at week 6. The renal tissue was extracted. The expression level of Ang II and COX-2 mRNA transcription were detected by RT-PCR. The expression level of Ang II was detected by ELISA. The expression level of COX-2 protein was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemical assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank control group, except the mRNA expression of Ang II at week 4, the mRNA and protein expression of Ang II and COX-2 obviously increased at week 4 and 6 in the model group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The COX-2 protein expression at week 4 was obviously lower in the high and moderate dose CQL groups than in the model group and the low dose CQL group (P < 0.05); the average integral of optical density value was obviously lower in the positive control group than in the model group. Except the mRNA expression of Ang II in the high dose CQL group at week 6, the mRNA and protein expression of Ang II obviously decreased in the positive control group and each dose CQL group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Of them, the effects were better in the high and moderate dose CQL groups than in the positive control group and the low dose CQL group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Besides, the mRNA expression of COX-2, the average integral of optical density value were obviously lower in the positive control group and each dose CQL group than in the model group (P < 0.05). The protein expression of COX-2 was obviously lower in the high and moderate dose CQL groups than in the model group (P < 0.05). Of them, the mRNA expression of COX-2 was better in the moderate dose CQL group than in the positive control group (P < 0.05); the protein expression of COX-2 was better in the high dose CQL group than in the low dose CQL group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CQL was capable of lowering the expression level of Ang II, COX-2 mRNA transcription and protein expression, thus suppressing the inflammatory pathological injury of the renal tissue.</p>

Regulatory effect of yijing fang on adenine-induced infertility in rat models: a pharmacodynamic study / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the regulatory effect of Yijing Fang (YJF) on adenine-induced infertility in rats with kidney deficiency.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty healthy Wistar male rats, aged 1.5 mo and weighing (180 +/- 10) g, were normally fed for a week, and then divided into five groups of equal number (blank control, infertile model, high-dose YJF, mid-dose YJF, and low-dose YJF) according to the body weight of the rats. The models were made by intragastric administration of 500 mg/ml adenine in gum arabic solution in the ratio of 1:10 at the dose of 1 ml per 100 g body weight per day for 10 days. YJF was given at 3.38 g, 1.69 g and 0.85 g per 100 g body weight per day to the rats in the high-, mid- and low-dose groups, respectively. After 48 days of treatment, we observed kidney deficiency-related changes in sperm concentration and motility, the levels of testosterone (T) and other hormones and the volumes of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate, and compared the indexes among different groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>YJF exhibited a significant regulatory effect on sperm concentration and motility, the T level and the indexes of the gonad and other accessory glands in the model rats (P < 0.05). After 48 days of treatment, sperm concentrations were (87.85 +/- 28.44), (7.11 +/- 2.15), (35.98 +/- 14.04), (32.65 +/- 11.80) and (33.51 +/- 13.26) x 10(6)/ml in the blank control, infertile model, high-dose YJF, mid-dose YJF, and low-dose YJF groups, respectively; sperm motilities were (52.79 +/- 16.43), (31.14 +/- 3.07), (45.88 +/- 16.97), (51.56 +/- 13.35) and (49.53 +/- 10.16)%; the T levels were (194.07 +/- 40.29), (61.27 +/- 13.70), (121.87 +/- 24.35), (127.44 +/- 19.38) and (127.81 +/- 20.28) nmol/L; the luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were (7.017 +/- 0.269), (6.117 +/- 0.894), (7.060 +/- 0.871), (7.156 +/- 0.937) and (6.967 +/- 0.778) IU/L; the testis volumes were (3.775 +/- 0.183), (2.865 +/- 0.258), (3.236 +/- 0.058), (3.457 +/- 0.066) and (3.398 +/- 0.091) g; the epididymis volumes were (1.119 +/- 0.116), (0.833 +/- 0.226), (1.124 +/- 0.104), (1.132 +/- 0.107) and (1.114 +/- 0.106) g; the prostate volumes were (176.75 +/- 427.09), (131.67 +/- 39.45), (178.70 +/- 37.97), (180.11 +/- 37.39) and (179.00 +/- 35.42) mg; and the body weights were (188.50 +/- 7.12), (189.92 +/- 6.67), (187.42 +/- 5.47), (189.17 +/- 6.19) and (188.75 +/- 6.12) g. Testis histopathology showed obvious injuries in the infertile models and different degrees of improvement in the three YJF groups, most evidently in the mid-dose group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Yifing Fang had an evident therapeutic effect on kidney deficiency-related infertility in adenine-induced rat models.</p>

Effects of yijing recipe on sperm apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential in patients with idiopathic oligoathenoteratospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Yijing Recipe on sperm apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in patients with idiopathic oligoathenoteratospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using the self-control method, we examined sperm apoptosis and MMP in 30 patients with oligoathenoteratospermia before and after treated with Yijing Recipe.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rates of early sperm apoptosis (AV +/PI -) and MMP loss were significantly reduced after treatment as compared with pre-medication ([2.86 +/- 1.47]% vs [4.26 +/- 2.79]% and [21.77 +/- 13.46]% vs [41.73 +/- 20.30]%, P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in the sperm death rate (PI+) before and after treatment ([34.10 +/- 16.26]% vs [30.21 +/- 13.50]%, P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Yijing Recipe can reduce early sperm apoptosis and improve MMP, which may be one of the mechanisms underlying its efficacy on oligoathenoteratospermia.</p>

Yijingfang increases the expression of CatSper1 in mice / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Yijingfang on CatSper1 in the mouse model of cyclophosphamide-induced oligoasthenospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty Kunming male mice were randomly divided into a control group (CG), a model group (MG), a small-dose Yijingfang group (SG), and a large-dose Yijingfang group (LG). The mice of CG were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline at 60 mg/kg once a day, while those of MG, SG and LG with cyclophosphamide, all for 5 days. During the next 34 days, the mice of SG and LG received intragastric administration of Yijingfang once a day, the former at a dose 2 times and the latter 5 times that of human routine usage, those of MG given the same volume of normal saline, and CG normally fed. At 35 days, we measured the sperm count, percentages of grades a + b and a + b + c sperm, and the expression of CatSper1 in the epididymal sperm of the mice.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sperm counts of CG, MG, SG and LG were (5.20 +/- 1.34), (1.73 +/- 0.03), (2.08 +/- 0.01) and (3.31 +/- 0.56) x 10(6)/ml, respectively, significantly lower in MG than in CG (P < 0.05), but higher in LG than in MG (P < 0.05). The grade a + b sperm constituted (14.49 +/- 0.30), (6.64 +/- 1.88), (11.99 +/- 1.01) and (19.40 +/- 3.13)% in CG, MG, SG and LG, respectively, remarkably lower in MG than in CG (P < 0.05) but higher in LG than in MG (P < 0.05); the grade a + b + c sperm accounted for (68.39 +/- 15.13), (39.96 +/- 4.89), (62.28 +/- 4.43) and (73.61 +/- 5.05)%, respectively, obviously lower in MG than in CG (P < 0.05) but higher in LG than in MG (P < 0.05); the CatSper1 expressions were 0.76 +/- 0.05, 0.73 +/- 0.03, 0.75 +/- 0.12 and 0.85 +/- 0.04, respectively, markedly higher in LG than in MG (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide decreases the sperm count, percentages of grades a + b and a + b + c sperm, and the expression of CatSper1 in mice, while large-dose Yijingfang can increase the above parameters, and hence contributes to the treatment of oligoasthenospermia.</p>

Acting mechanism of longbixliao capsule on human prostatic stromal cells cultured in vitro / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of action of Longbixiao Capsule (LBXC, a Chinese herbal preparation) on human prostatic stromal cell cultured in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nine Japan rabbits were assigned to 3 groups. The high, low dose group was given LBXC [2.0 g/(kg x d), 1.0 g/(kg x d)] by gastro gavage respectively, while equal volume of normal saline was given by gastrog avage 60 rats in the control group, all twice a day with an infeval of 12 h, for 3 successive days. The serum collected at 3 h after the last gastro gavage was added into cell culture fluid. Rabbit's serum containing LBXC was incubated with the cultured stromal cells, and the levels of cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined using relative techniques as TUNEL, ELISA, and immunocytochemistry. Besides, Real-time RT-PCR was applied to detect the mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1, and Smad7 in the stromal cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cell proliferation showed culture time dependence in all groups. The proliferation in the drug-serum treated groups was lower than that in the control group, and it was lower in the high dose treated group than in the low dose treated group (all P < 0.01). The unfavorable growth did not occur morphologically after being cultured for 48 h and showed insignificant difference between various groups. Cell apoptosis was not found excepting for a few appeared in the high dose treated group (with a little amount of apoptotic cells occurring). After treatment, the expressions of TGF-beta, and Smad7 were lower in the low dose treated group and high dose treated group than in the control group (P < 0.01). There was not statistical difference between the low dose treated group and high dose treated group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LBXC could reduce the expressions of TGF-beta1, and smad7 mRNA in stromal cells and inhibit the stromal cell proliferation, but its effect on promoting cell apoptosis is unobvious.</p>

Clinical experience of BVS5000 left ventricular assist devices in heart failure patients / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the experience of Abiomed BVS5000 as a mean of left ventricular support on clinical treatment for severe heart failure patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From February 2004 to April 2006, 12 male patients were supported with Abiomed BVS5000 as a left ventricular assist device. The average age was (55.2 +/- 9.6) years old (range from 39 to 68 years old). Mean body surface area was (1.76 +/- 0.1) m2 (range from 1.6 to 1.9 m2). Devices were inserted for post-cardiotomy shock after coronary artery bypass grafting in 11 patients (92%) and in 1 dilated cardiomyopathy patient for acute cardiogenic shock. Modified cannulation methods by inserting the arterial cannulae in femoral artery and inserting the venous cannula in left atrial through bovine jugular vein were used in 7 patients. In this way, the device could be taken off without resternotomy when support was finished. A comparison was made between the modified method and routine left atrium-to-ascending aorta cannulating method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average duration of support was (8.8 +/- 11.2) d (range from 3 to 43 d), with support flow rate of 3.8 to 4.5 L/min. There were 9 patients (75%) weaned from support and 8 patients (67%) discharged from the hospital Four patients (33%) were dead. The most common morbidity was adverse neurologic events. There was no statistic difference between modified and routine method on average BVS5000 support duration, assisted flow rate, mechanical ventilation duration, stay of intensive care unit and thoracic drainage.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The Abiomed BVS5000 is valuable to support patients with acute cardiogenic shock for short-term use. With using modified cannulating method, the weaning procedure can be effectively simplified.</p>

Longbixiao capsule reduces expressions of TGF-beta1 and Smoothelin in human prostatic stromal cells cultured in vitro / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of the Chinese herbal medicine of Longbixiao (LBX) Capsule on the expressions of TGF-beta1 and Smoothelin in human prostatic stromal cells cultured in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood serum medicated with LBX was incubated with the stromal cells isolated from men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and cultured in vitro. The mRNA expression levels of TGF-beta1 and Smoothelin were detected by real-time RT-PCR and other relevant techniques.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the high and low concentration groups, the gene relative expressions of TGF-beta1 were (0.158 +/- 0.020) and (0.169 +/- 0.020) , while those of Smoothelin were (0.035 +/- 0.007) and (0.036 +/- 0.007) respectively, both significantly decreased in comparison with the control group(P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LBX reduces the mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1 and Smoothelin in human prostatic stromal cells and can be used in the treatment of BPH.</p>

Clinical application of BVS5000 left ventricular assist device in heart failure patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Mechanical ventricular assistance is an important therapeutic method for severe heart failure patients. A variety of ventricular assist devices have been designed for use. The purpose of this report was to describe the experience of using Abiomed BVS5000 as a means of left ventricular support as a clinical treatment for heart failure patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From February 2004 to April 2006, 12 male patients were supported with Abiomed BVS5000 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) at Fu Wai Hospital. The average age was (55.2 +/- 9.6) years (range 39 to 68 years). The mean body surface area was (1.76 +/- 0.1) m(2) (range 1.6 to 1.9 m(2)). Devices were inserted for post-cardiotomy shock after coronary artery bypass graft in 11 patients (92%) and in 1 dilated cardiomyopathy patient for acute cardiogenic shock. Modified cannulation methods by inserting the arterial cannulae in femoral artery and inserting the venous cannula in left atrium through a segment of bovine jugular vein were used in 7 patients. In this way, the device could be taken off without re-sternotomy when support was finished. A comparison was made between the modified method and routine left atrium-to-ascending aorta cannulating method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median duration of support was 5 (3 - 43) days, with support flow rate of 3.8 - 4.5 L/min. There were 9 (75%) patients weaned from support and 8 (67%) patients discharged from the hospital. Four (33%) patients were dead. The most common morbidity was adverse neurological events. There is no statistical difference between modified and routine method on average in BVS5000 support duration, in assisted flow rate, in mechanical ventilation duration, in the intensive care unit stay and thoracic drainage.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The Abiomed BVS5000 is valuable to support patients with acute cardiogenic shock for short-term use. By the modified cannulating method, the weaning procedure can be effectively simplified. Optimization of inserting indication remains challenging and attributes to a successful assist program.</p>

Discussion on thoughts and methods for the treatment of chronic prostatitis by combination of TCM with Western medicine / 中华男科学杂志

Chronic prostatitis is a common disease in male. So far the etiology and pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis, particularly chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), remain to be elucidated and there is no unified recognition in the treatment of this disease. This article discusses the thoughts and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis by combination of TCM and Western medicine systematically.