[Regularity of meridian-acupoint reactions of foot three yin meridians in primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the meridian-acupoint reactions of foot three yin meridians in primary dysmenorrhea(PD) and secondary dysmenorrhea(SD) patients, so as to summarize the rules of meridian-acupoint reaction and acupoints selection. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with PD (PD group), 34 patients with SD (SD group) and 35 healthy subjects (healthy group) were recruited. The compression method was used to examine the lower leg segment of the foot three yin meridians. Positive reactions(palpable skin changes, including cords, nodules, depressions) and tenderness of meridians and acupoints were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the tenderness severity of acupoints. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy group, the probability of positive reactions and tenderness in foot three yin meridians were higher in PD and SD groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). Compared with the PD group, the probability of positive reactions in Spleen and Liver Meridians were higher in the SD group, with higher probability of tenderness in Liver Meridian(P<0.05). The probability of positive reactions and tenderness in the Spleen Meridian of PD and SD groups was significantly higher than that in the Kidney Meridian (P<0.01), while the probability of tenderness in the Spleen Meridian of the PD group was significantly higher than that in the Liver Meridian (P<0.05). Positive reactions and tenderness were concentrated at Yinlingquan (SP9), Diji (SP8) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) of Spleen Meridian and Xiguan (LR7) and Ligou (LR5) in Liver Meridian of PD and SD groups. In comparison with the PD group, the probability of positive reactions, tenderness and VAS score of SP8 and LR5 of the SD group were higher (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The positive reaction occurs most frequently in the Spleen Meridian, followed by the Liver Meridian, and least frequently in the Kidney Meridian. The acupoints with positive reaction are different between PD and SD, which suggests that the Spleen Meridian acupoints should be the main acupoints when treating the two kinds of dysmenorrhea, and acupoints should also be selected according to the meridian and acupoint examination results.

Clinical effects of Jiakang Pingxiao prescription combined with methiimidazole on hyperthyroidism / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of Jiakang Pingxiao prescription combined with methiimidazole on hyperthyroidism. Methods:A total of 100 patients with hyperthyroidism admitted to Shanxian Central Hospital from February 2018 to January 2021 were included in this study. They were randomly divided into a study group and a control group, with 50 patients in each group. The control group was treated with methiimidazole, and the study group was treated with Jiakang Pingxiao prescription combined with methiimidazole. Thyroid function, serum levels of osteocalcin (OCN), β-CTx, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were compared between the two groups. Results:After treatment, serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) in the study group were (3.10 ± 1.36) mU/L, (5.76 ± 1.25) pmol/L, (15.22 ± 1.95) pmol/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than (4.88 ± 1.47) mU/L, (7.13 ± 1.32) pmol/L, (19.07 ± 2.02) pmol/L in the control group ( t = 5.27, 4.71, 6.29, all P < 0.05). Serum OCN, β-CTx, hS-CRP, and IL-6 in the study group were (17.36 ± 2.62) μg/L, (0.32 ± 0.04) μg/L, (4.07 ± 0.86) mg/L, and (1.38 ± 0.21) pg/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than (26.05 ± 2.88) μg/L, (0.51 ± 0.09) μg/L, (6.23 ± 0.91) mg/L, (1.89 ± 0.28) pg/L in the control group ( t = 12.37, 10.40, 7.39, 8.57, all P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group [6.00% (3/50) vs. 12.00% (3/50), χ2 = 14.78, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Jikang Pingxiao prescription combined with methiimidazole can effectively reduce the inflammatory responses in patients with hyperthyroidism, inhibit the expression of OCN and β-CTX in the serum, and improve thyroid function. The combined method is scientific and reasonable, and is suitable for clinical application. It has good therapeutic effects on hyperthyroidism and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Exploration of the therapeutic mechanism of Yiqi Jiedu recipe for treatment of primary liver cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effective components of Yiqi Jiedu recipe and the main biological processes and signal pathways involved in the therapeutic mechanism of the recipe in treatment of primary liver cancer through network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches.@*METHODS@#TCMSP, Uniport, Genecards and String databases were searched to obtain the target genes of drugs and disease using Cytoscape 3.8.2 software. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed to identify the common genes in the target genes of the drugs and disease. Using Pubcham, RCSB and Autoduck, the effective components of the drugs were connected with the final core genes. The effects of different concentrations of Yiqi Jiedu recipe on the expressions of the core genes DHX9, HNRNPK, NCL and PABPC1 in HepG2 cells were analyzed with Western blotting and real- time fluorescence quantitative PCR.@*RESULTS@#We finally identified 8 core genes from the drug and disease targets, including DDX5, HNRNPK, PABPC1, DHX9, RPS3A, RPS3, RPL13, and NCL. GO analysis showed that these core genes were involved mainly in the biological processes of adrenaline receptor signal communication, movement of cellular or subcellular components, blood particles, adhesion class and iron ion binding. KEGG analysis showed that the Ras signaling pathway had the greatest gene enrichment. The results of molecular docking suggested that the effective components of the recipe were capable of docking with the core genes under natural conditions, and PABPC1 and stigmasterol had the highest binding energy. In HepG2 cells, treatment with 10% medicated serum for 48 h had the strongest effect on the expression of DHX9, HNRNPK, NCL and PABPC1 (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Yiqi Jiedu recipe is capable of regulating viral expression of primary liver cancer multiple effective components that bind to DHX9, HNRNPK, NCL and PABPC1.

[Acupoint selection rules and characteristics of insomnia in the elderly treated with acupuncture].

The published literature of insomnia in the elderly treated with acupuncture was retrieved in CNKI, Wanfang and VIP from the date of establishment to December 31, 2019. Association rule analysis and cluster analysis were used to summarize the acupoint selection rules of insomnia in the elderly treated with acupuncture. A total of 37 articles were included, involving 60 acupuncture prescriptions. The most commonly used acupoints were Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenmen (HT 7), Anmian (Extra), Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Neiguan (PC 6), Xinshu (BL 15) and Taixi (KI 3). The most commonly used acupoint combinations were Sanyinjiao (SP 6)-Anmian (Extra)-Baihui (GV 20)-Sishencong (EX-HN 1)-Shenting (GV 24)-Shenmen (HT 7)-Xinshu(BL 15), Xinshu(BL 15)-Pishu (BL 20)-Shenshu (BL 23)-Shenting (GV 24), Zhaohai (KI 6)-Shenmai (BL 62), Taichong (LR 3)-Ganshu (BL 18), Daling (PC 7)-Taixi (KI 3), Neiguan (PC 6)- Zusanli (ST 36) and Guanyuan (CV 4)-Qihai (CV 6)-Zhongwan (CV 12). On the basis of acupoint selection according to disease differentiation, the acupoint selection rules and characteristics of insomnia in the elderly treated with acupuncture are regulating and supplementing the spleen and kidney and treating according to spleen-kidney.

New Internet-Based Warfarin Anticoagulation Management Approach After Mechanical Heart Valve Replacement: Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical heart valve replacement (MHVR) is an effective method for the treatment of severe heart valve disease; however, it subjects patient to lifelong warfarin therapy after MHVR with the attendant risk of bleeding and thrombosis. Whether internet-based warfarin management reduces complications and improves patient quality of life remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of internet-based warfarin management and the conventional approach in patients who received MHVR in order to provide evidence regarding alternative strategies for long-term anticoagulation. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial with a 1-year follow-up. Patients who needed long-term warfarin anticoagulation after MHVR were enrolled and then randomly divided into conventional and internet-based management groups. The percentage of time in the therapeutic range (TTR) was used as the primary outcome, while bleeding, thrombosis, and other events were the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 721 patients were enrolled. The baseline characteristics did not reach statistical differences between the 2 groups, suggesting the random assignment was successful. As a result, the internet-based group showed a significantly higher TTR (mean 0.53, SD 0.24 vs mean 0.46, SD 0.21; P<.001) and fraction of time in the therapeutic range (mean 0.48, SD 0.22 vs mean 0.42, SD 0.19; P<.001) than did those in the conventional group. Furthermore, as expected, the anticoagulation complications, including the bleeding and embolic events had a lower frequency in the internet-based group than in the conventional group (6.94% vs 12.74%; P=.01). Logistic regression showed that internet-based management increased the TTR by 7% (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% CI 1.05-1.09; P<.001) and reduced the bleeding and embolic risk by 6% (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.92-0.96; P=.01). Moreover, low TTR was found to be a risk factor for bleeding and embolic events (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.83-0.91; P=.005). CONCLUSIONS: The internet-based warfarin management is superior to the conventional method, as it can reduce the anticoagulation complications in patients who receive long-term warfarin anticoagulation after MHVR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800016204; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=27518. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032949.

Advances in research on cardiomyocyte pyroptosis mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome and traditional Chinese medicine intervention / 中国中药杂志

Pyroptosis is a pro-inflammatory programmed cell death, and its role in cardiac inflammatory response has become a hot topic. The activation of nucleotide binding oligomerization domain like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome is an important mechanism for pyroptosis induced by cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1(caspase-1). The existing studies have shown that cardiomyocyte pyroptosis participates in the pathogenesis of different cardiovascular diseases and the NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cardiomyocyte pyroptosis has been most widely studied. Also, the intervention in NLRP3 inflammasome activation and cardiomyocyte pyroptosis contributes to ameliorating myocardial injury, which may be the main mechanism of many traditional Chinese medicines in exerting the cardio-protective effects. Therefore, this paper reviewed the studies on cardiomyocyte pyroptosis mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome and put forward the importance of exploring traditional Chinese medicine intervention in the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.

[Acupuncture for secondary dysmenorrhea of adenomyosis: a prospective case-series study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture by stages on secondary dysmenorrhea of adenomyosis through prospective case-series study. METHODS: A total of 36 cases of adenomyosis patients with moderate-to-severe dysmenorrhea were treated with acupuncture by stages. The acupoints of Diji (SP 8), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Ciliao (BL 32) and Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) were selected and acupuncture was given once a day during menstrual period; the acupoints of Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA1), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) ect. were selected and acupuncture was given twice per week during non-menstrual period. All the treatment was given for three menstrual cycles. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Cox menstrual symptom scale (CMSS), Endometriosis Health Profile-5 (EHP-5) scores and the menstrual blood volume of pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC) were observed before treatment and at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd menstrual cycle into treatment. Before treatment and at the 3rd menstrual cycle into treatment, the volume of uterus was measured by transvaginal ultrasound and the correlation among the quality of life, the severity of pain and symptoms was analyzed. RESULTS: The VAS, CMSS and EHP-5 scores at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd menstrual cycle into treatment were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the PBAC scores were reduced but without statistical different (P>0.05). Compared before treatment, at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd menstrual cycle into treatment, the PBAC scores were reduced in patients with PBAC>100 points (P<0.01). Compared between 2nd and 1st menstrual cycle into treatment, between 3rd and 2nd menstrual cycle into treatment, the VAS, CMSS scores were all decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the severity score of CMSS and EHP-5 at the corresponding time points of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd menstrual cycle into treatment (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The acupuncture by stages has significant analgesic effect in patients with secondary dysmenorrhea of adenomyosis, and has the advantages of relieving the menstruation-related symptoms, regulating menstrual blood volume and improving the quality of life.

Research advances in the role of intestinal flora regulation in the traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease / 临床肝胆病杂志

Recent studies have shown that intestinal flora can play a role in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and intestinal flora regulation can provide new thoughts for the treatment of NAFLD. This article reviews the research advances in the role of intestinal flora regulation in traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for NAFLD and explores the current situation of probiotics, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotics, and traditional Chinese medicine therapy in regulating intestinal flora and improving NAFLD, so as to provide a basis for clinical practice.

[Randomized controlled clinical trial of acupuncture treatment for knee osteoarthritis in the early stage].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in the early stage. METHODS: A total of 60 KOA patients were randomized into medication group and acupuncture combined with medication (acupuncture) group (n＝ 30 in each group). Patients of the medication group were treated by external application of Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel around the affected joint, 3 times a day for 2 successive weeks and reasonable exercising training. Patients of the acupuncture group received routine medication and reasonable exercising training and acupuncture of Ashi-points, Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Yinlingquan (SP9), Neixiyan (EX-LE4) and Dubi (ST35) at affected side with filiform needles which were manipulated with uniform reinforcing-reducing method for a while, followed by retaining the needles for 30 min. The treatment was conducted once every other day for 2 weeks. The pain degree was assessed by using visual analog scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale (0－240 points) was used to evaluate the severity of KOA, and the "Diagnosis of Syndromes of Traditional Chinese Medicine" was used to assess the therapeutic effect after the treatment. RESULTS: After the treatment, the VAS and WOMAC scores of both medication and acupuncture groups were significantly and respectively decreased in comparison with their own pre-treatment (P<0.05), and the scores of the two indexes of the acupuncture group were evidently lower than those of the medication group (P<0.05). Of the two 30 cases in the medication and acupuncture groups, 5 (16.67%) and 6 (20.00%) were cured, 17 (56.67%) and 19 (63.33%) experienced marked improvement, 6 (20.00%) and 4 (13.33%) were effective, 2 (6.67%) and 1 (3.33%) were ineffective, with the effective rate of cure plus marked effectiveness being 73.33% and 83.33%, respectively. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the therapeutic effect (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with medication has a better therapeutic effect in the treatment of KOA in the early stage than that of the simple medication.

Therapeutic Effect of Glycyrrhizin Arginine Salt on Rat Cholestatic Cirrhosis and its Mechanism.

To investigate the therapeutic effect of glycyrrhizin arginine salt on rat cholestatic cirrhosis, we subjected male Sprague Dawley rats to common bile duct ligation for 14 days and treated them with distilled water (model group), arginine, or a low or high dose of glycyrrhizin arginine salt by gavage. A sham-operated group was used as a control group. Treatment with glycyrrhizin arginine salt substantially improved animal growth rates, reduced the ratio of liver weight to body weight and decreased total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, 8-isoprostane and malondialdehyde compared with the values measured in the model group. The progress of liver fibrosis, as detected by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining, was slower in the glycyrrhizin arginine salt groups than in the model group or the arginine group. Reductions of bile salt pool size, hepatic hydroxyproline content and fibrosis score were also seen in the glycyrrhizin arginine salt groups compared with the model group. Furthermore, glycyrrhizin arginine salt significantly reduced the expression of transforming growth factor [Formula: see text]1 (TGF-[Formula: see text]1), [Formula: see text]-smooth muscle actin, tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text] and matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9. Glycyrrhizin arginine salt also inhibited the expression of [Formula: see text]-SMA and matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in response to TGF-[Formula: see text]1 in LX-2 cells and primary rat hepatic stellate cells and mitigated the cytotoxicity induced by rat bile in HepG2 cells and primary rat hepatocytes.

Progress of traditional medicines for treatment of ischemic stroke / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

Ischemic stroke has the characteristics of high morbidity and high mortality, which seriously endanger human health.According to the statistics, ischemic stroke in China accounts for about 80% of stroke cases, and its mortality rate is as high as 50%, but most of the ischemic stroke patients who survive have sequelae, such as hemiplegia, aphasia and so on.In recent years, people have continuously studied the pathological cascade of ischemic stroke, and also achieved some good results in animal model experiments, however, the clinical results are not satisfactory. Nowadays, the better clinically effective therapeutic drug is tissue plasminogen activator, but due to the limited time window,only a small number of patients can apply this drug in time to achieve the effect.Therefore,it is essential to study drugs that are definitive and can benefit a large number of patients with ischemic stroke.The development of traditional medicines is not as fast as the development of new drugs. For ischemic stroke,we can also turn from the study of the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke to the study of traditional drugs for the endogenous neuroprotection of ischemic stroke, and look for effective targets for neuroprotection based on traditional medicine.The multi-targets and multi-effects for the acute and convalescent phases of ischemic stroke is a direction explored by researchers, which also provides some evidence for more effective drugs for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Application of temporary electrotherapy for acute intractable tachyarrhythmia in children / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To explore the value of transesophageal atrial pacing (TEAP) and temporary cardiac pacing in the treatment of acute intractable tachyarrhythmia in children. Method The clinical data of children with acute intractable tachyarrhythmia treated with TEAP (48 cases) or temporary cardiac pacing (6 cases) from January 2014 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Results In the 48 cases aged 1 day to 13 years (28 males and 20 females) treated with TEAP, 25 cases had paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, in which there were 15 cases of rapid atrial flutter, 5 cases of atrial tachycardia and 3 cases of left ventricular idiopathic bundle branch reentrant tachycardia. The rates of successful cardioversion to sinus rhythm through TEAP were 84％, 80％, 20％ and 100％ respectively. In the 6 cases aged 2 to 10 years (1 male and 5 females) treated with temporary cardiac pacing, there were 5 cases of fulminant myocarditis and 1 case of noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium and their conditions were well controlled after treatment. Conclusion TEAP and temporary cardiac pacing have good curative effect in the treatment of acute intractable tachyarrhythmia in children. However, temporary electricity therapy can only temporarily rectify the hemodynamic abnormality threatening the life of children, and active comprehensive treatment for the primary diseases should be carried out simultaneously.

Silkworm: A Promising Model Organism in Life Science.

As an important economic insect, silkworm Bombyx mori (L.) (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) has numerous advantages in life science, such as low breeding cost, large progeny size, short generation time, and clear genetic background. Additionally, there are rich genetic resources associated with silkworms. The completion of the silkworm genome has further accelerated it to be a modern model organism in life science. Genomic studies showed that some silkworm genes are highly homologous to certain genes related to human hereditary disease and, therefore, are a candidate model for studying human disease. In this article, we provided a review of silkworm as an important model in various research areas, including human disease, screening of antimicrobial agents, environmental safety monitoring, and antitumor studies. In addition, the application potentiality of silkworm model in life sciences was discussed.

[Treatment of antipsychotic drug-induced phlegm dampness type amenorrhea by Wuji Powder and a small dose aripiprazole: a clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of Wuji Powder (WP) and a small dose aripiprazole in treatment of antipsychotic drug-induced phlegm dampness type amenorrhea. METHODS: Seventy female schizophrenic patients with antipsychotic drug-induced galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndrome (GAS) were recruited and randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group, 35 in each group. All patients received antipsychotic drug therapy. Patients in the treatment group additionally took WP, while those in the control group took aripiprazole (at the daily dose of 5 mg, once daily). The therapeutic course for all was 4 weeks. Prolactin levels and obesity indices[body weight, waist aircumstance, body mass index (BMI) and waist-hit ratio (WHR)] were determined before and after treatment. The efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: The treatment course was completed in 95.71% of patients. The total effective rate of the 33 patients of the treatment group was 93.94% (31/33), while it was 91.18% (31/34) in the 34 patients of the control group. There was no difference in the total effective rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). Prolactin levels in both group after treatment were significantly lower than those of the baseline (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in prolactin levels between the two groups after treatment (P > 0.05). Compared with before treatment, body weight, BMI, waist circumstance, and waist-hip ratio obviously decreased after treatment, showing significant difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in body weight, BMI, waist circumstance, and waist-hip ratio in the control group between before and after treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both WP and aripiprazole could lower high prolactin levels of schizophrenics with phlegm dampness type amenorrhea. They showed equivalent efficacy. But WP showed more obvious effect in reducing obesity indices.

Effects of twirling-rotating reinforcing and reducing technique for left ventricular morphology, concentration of ET-1 and expression of type I, III collagen mRNA in spontaneous hypertensive rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect differences between twirling-rotating reinforcing and reducing technique of acupuncture on cardiac damage in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty male 11-week-old SHR were randomly divided into four groups: a model control group (group A), a twirling-rotating reinforcing technique group (group B), a twirling-rotating reducing technique group (group C) and a needle retaining group (group D), 15 rats in each one. In addition, twelve male 11-week-old Wistar rats were used as a blank control group (group E). Acupuncture was not used in group A and group E, only with grasp, capture and binding stimulation that was also adapted in the rest groups. Rats in the group B were treated with acupuncture at "Taichong" (LR 3) by twirling-rotating reinforcing technique for 1 min and then the needles were retained for 9 min; rats in the group C were treated with acupuncture at "Taichong" (LR 3) by twirling-rotating reducing technique for 1 min and then the needles were retained for 9 min; rats in the group D were treated with acupuncture at "Taichong" (LR 3) but without any technique and then needles were retained for 10 min. Before and after acupuncture, blood pressure monitor was used to measure the rats' systolic pressure and diastolic pressure every 6 days. Twenty-eight days after the treatment, HE and Masson staining were adopted to observe the status of left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. ELISA method was applied to test the content of endothelin-1 (ET-1). PCR semiquantitative method was used to analyze Type I and III collagen mRNA in the left ventricular.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Blood pressure: after the treatment, the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure were both increased in the group A and the group B (P < 0.05); while the two pressures were both lowered in the group C and the group D (P < 0.05), which was more obvious in the group C (P < 0.05). (2) According to HE and Masson staining, except for the group E, the myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis could be found in the rest groups, in which the group C was the modest, followed by the group D, while the group A and the group B were more severe. (3) Concentration of ET-1: there were differences of concentration of ET-1 among 5 groups (P < 0.05), and the concentration value from high to low was the group A, B, C, D and E. (4) Type I collagen mRNA: the difference of level of Type I collagen mRNA between group C and D was not statistically significant (P > 0.05); compared with the group A and B, the level was lower in the group C; the level was the lowest in the group E. Type III collagen mRNA: the difference between the group A and B was not statistically significant (P > 0.05); compared with the group A, B and D, the level was lower in the group C.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The twirling-rotating reducing could reduce the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure in SHR, effectively prohibit the production of ET-1 and expression of Type I and III collagen mRNA, and it has more obvious inhibiting effect on Type III collagen mRNA. There is biological effect difference between twirling-rotating reinforcing and reducing technique.</p>

[Impact of transurethral resection of the prostate on erectile function: a report of 64 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) on erectile function and the factors influencing postoperative erectile function. METHODS: Altogether 64 male patients aged 53 -75 (mean 66.5) years underwent TURP for prostatic hyperplasia. Before and 3 months after surgery, we observed the nocturnal penile tumescence of the patients and analyzed their scores on the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). RESULTS: Intraoperative prostatic capsule perforation and postoperative stress were significantly related to postoperative erectile dysfunction (P < 0.05). The mean score of IIEF-5 was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) while that of SAS remarkably increased (P < 0.01) after TURP as compared with those before surgery. The frequency of nocturnal penile tumescence was reduced at 3 months after surgery, but with no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative prostatic capsule perforation and postoperative stress obviously affect postoperative erectile function.

Influence of Jiangu decoction on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) in the femoral head of rabbits with steroid-induced femoral head necrosis / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The Jiangu decoction is used in the treatment of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis in clinical experiences, which has functions of tonifying kidney and activating blood, and invigorating spleen to remove phlegm. The decoction is mainly composed of Radix Polygoni Multiflori, Rhizoma alismatis Rhizoma Drynariae, haw, medlar, Radix Astragali, radix rehmanniae, angelica, Radix Codonopsis, radix salviae miltiorrhizae, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, licorice, pharmaceutical composition. This study was designed to investigate the influence of Jiangu decoction on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) in the femoral head of rabbits with steroid-induced femoral head necrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen adult SPF healthy New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups: control group, model group, Jiangu decoction group. The rabbits of Jiangu decoction group orally received Jiangu decoction suspension with a dose of 10 ml/kg each day and the drug content was 0.719 g/ml. The rabbits in control and model groups were given saline with a dose of 10 ml/kg. The methylprednisolone sodium succinate was injected intramuscularly into left leg with a dose of 40 mg/kg. Then the rabbits were fed continuously for 3 weeks. The glucocorticoid levels, PPARgamma and plasma glucocorticoid levels in the femoral head were measured before and after modeling.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Before model established, the plasma glucocorticoid levels had no significant difference among three groups (P=0.301). At 3 weeks after model established,the plasma glucocorticoid level of rabbits in model group increased compared to the control group (P=0.001); and the plasma glucocorticoid level of rabbits in Jiangu decoction group decreased compared with model group (P=0.001). The glucocorticoid level in the local femoral head of rabbits in model group increased compared to the control group (P=0.001); and the glucocorticoid level in the local femoral head of rabbits in Jiangu decoction group decreased compared with model group (P=0.001). The PPARgamma level in the local femoral head of rabbits in model group increased compared to the control group (P=0.018);and the PPARgamma level in the local femoral head of rabbits in Jiangu decoction group decreased compared with model group (P=0.033).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Jiangu decoction is effective to inhibit the femoral head adipogenic differentiation by decrease the PPAR content, so as to prevent and treat steroid-induced femoral head necrosis.</p>

Video-assisted minimally invasive surgery for lone atrial fibrillation: a clinical report of 81 cases.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a new type of video-assisted minimally invasive surgery for patients with atrial fibrillation. METHODS: Between December 2006 and February 2008, 81 patients with lone atrial fibrillation (49 with paroxysmal, 17 with persistent, and 15 with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation) underwent this therapy with a bipolar radiofrequency ablation system. The main surgical procedures included bilateral pulmonary vein antrum isolation, obliteration of the left atrial appendage, division of the ligament of Marshall, and intraoperative electrophysiologic testing. RESULTS: The mean operation duration was 2.5 hours. One (1.2%) case was confirmed of left atrial appendage thrombus during the procedure. One (1.2%) patient was converted to sternotomy during the operation. Reintubation occurred in 1 (1.2%) patient, and acute heart failure occurred in 1 (1.2%) patient. One (1.2%) patient died of cerebral infarction 1 month after the operation. Follow-up was done between 3 and 19 months (mean, 12.7 +/- 3.9 months) after the operation. At discharge, 72.5% (58/81) of all patients were in sinus rhythm (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, 83.7%; persistent atrial fibrillation, 64.7%; and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation, 40.0%). At 3 months, overall 78.5% (62/79) were in sinus rhythm (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, 85.7%; persistent atrial fibrillation, 82.4%; and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation, 46.2%). At 6 months, overall 78.5% (62/79) were in sinus rhythm (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, 85.7%; persistent atrial fibrillation, 70.6%; and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation, 61.5%). At 12 months, overall 79.6% (39/49) were in sinus rhythm (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, 80.0%; persistent atrial fibrillation, 75.0%; and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation, 66.7%). At 18 months, 88.9% (8/9) of the paroxysmal group were in sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: This minimally invasive technique proves to be safe and less traumatic and presents optimistic early outcomes for patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. It might find wider application if more ablation lesions could be enrolled for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Comparative study of the analgesic effects of controlled-release morphine sulfate tablets and sustained-release morphine sulfate tablets in patients with severe cancer pain / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Morphine is the first choice for the pain of medium and advanced degrees due to cancer. This is advocated in the Pain Relieving Guide of the WHO. Controlled-release morphine sulfate tablets(CRM) and sustained-release morphine sulfate tablets (SRM) all belong to oral long-acting morphine. It plays an important role in relieving cancer pain effectively and improving their quality of life(QOL).OBJECTIVE: To observe the analgesic effect of CRM and SRM and to observe how they improve the QOL of the cancer patients with severe cancer pain.SETTING: Department of oncology, department of surgery, department of internal medicine and department of traditional chinese medicine in the first affiliated hospital of a university.PARTICIPANTS: During October 1995 to June 1998, all inpatients that were pathologically proved to suffer from malignant tumor with severe pain were recruited into our study.METHODS: There were 182 patients with severe pain due to advanced cancers pathologically proven. They all met the entry criterion of the study. Totally 95 patients were treated with CRM, of which 12 cases were lost in follow-up due to side effects, death, or discharge from the hospital, and the rest 83 cases entered the stage of clinical trial. Eighty-seven patients were treated with SRM. Of them 25 cases were lost in follow-up due to side effects, death, or discharge from the hospital, and the rest 62 cases entered the stage of clinical trial. The recommended initial dosage of CRM or SRM was 30 mg every 12 hours for all patients, and then the dosage was regulated according to the effects until the ideal anesthesia was achieved.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessments included pain severity, the effective rate, complete remission rate, remission time, adverse reactions, and the QOL before and after the treatment.RESULTS: The effective rates of CRM and SRM were 95% and 94%respectively. The complete remission rates were 82% and 80% respectively, and the remission time was(9.1 ±4.1) hours and (8.7±4.4)hours respectively. Statistically, there was no significant difference in analgesic effect and remission time between CRM and SRM. QOL was elevated for a higher degree in 62(75% ) and 47(76% ) patients after the treatment. QOL scores of CRM were (34.6 ± 11.5 ) points before treatment and (52.6 ± 13.0) points after the treatment( P = 0. 000), while QOL scores of SRM were(37.7 ± 9.7) points before the treatment and points (49.8 ± 12.9) points after the treatment (P = 0. 000). There was significant difference in QOL after the treatment. They could relicve osteocope,visceral pain, soft tissue infiltrative pain more effectively than they do about neurological pain.CONCLUSION: Oral treatment with CRM and SRM for the patients with server cancer pain shows a similar analgesic effect. They are effective, safe,and convenient, and can improve the QOL.