Functional association of NR4A3 downregulation with impaired differentiation in myeloid leukemogenesis.

The coincident downregulation of NR4A1 and NR4A3 has been implicated in myeloid leukemogenesis, but it remains unknown how these two genes function in myeloid cells and how their combined downregulation promotes myeloid leukemogenesis. Since NR4A1 abrogation is thought to confer a survival and proliferation advantage to myeloid cells, we hypothesized that downregulation of NR4A3 may have a complementary effect on myeloid cell differentiation. First, we tested the association between differentiation status of leukemic cells and NR4A3 expression using two large clinical datasets from patients with different acute myeloid leukemia (AML) subtypes. The analysis revealed a close association between differentiation status and different subtypes of AML Then, we probed the effects of differentiation-inducing treatments on NR4A3 expression and NR4A3 knockdown on cell differentiation using two myeloid leukemia cell lines. Differentiation-inducing treatments caused upregulation of NR4A3, while NR4A3 knockdown prevented differentiation in both cell lines. The cell culture findings were validated using samples from chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients at chronic, accelerated and blastic phases, and in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients before and after all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)-based differentiation therapy. Progressive NR4A3 downregulation was coincident with impairments in differentiation in patients during progression to blastic phase of CML, and NR4A3 expression was increased in APL patients treated with ATRA-based differentiating therapy. Together, our findings demonstrate a tight association between impaired differentiation status and NR4A3 downregulation in myeloid leukemias, providing a plausible mechanistic explanation of how myeloid leukemogenesis might occur upon concurrent downregulation of NR4A1 and NR4A3.

Molecular Effects of Low-Intensity Shock Wave Therapy on L6 Dorsal Root Ganglion/Spinal Cord and Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent (BOLD) Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Changes in Capsaicin-Induced Prostatitis Rat Models.

Neurogenic inflammation and central sensitization play a role in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. We explore the molecular effects of low-intensity shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) on central sensitization in a capsaicin-induced prostatitis rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent intraprostatic capsaicin (10 mM, 0.1 cm3) injections. After injection, the prostate received Li-ESWT twice, one day apart. The L6 dorsal root ganglion (DRG)/spinal cord was harvested for histology and Western blotting on days 3 and 7. The brain blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional images were evaluated using 9.4 T fMRI before the Li-ESWT and one day after. Intraprostatic capsaicin injection induced increased NGF-, BDNF-, and COX-2-positive neurons in the L6 DRG and increased COX-2, NGF, BDNF, receptor Trk-A, and TRPV1 protein expression in the L6 DRG and the dorsal horn of the L6 spinal cord, whose effects were significantly downregulated after Li-ESWT on the prostate. Intraprostatic capsaicin injection increased activity of BOLD fMRI responses in brain regions associated with pain-related responses, such as the caudate putamen, periaqueductal gray, and thalamus, whose BOLD signals were reduced after Li-ESWT. These findings suggest a potential mechanism of Li-ESWT on modulation of peripheral and central sensitization for treating CP/CPPS.

A DNA Nanocomplex Containing Cascade DNAzymes and Promoter-Like Zn-Mn-Ferrite for Combined Gene/Chemo-dynamic Therapy.

Sequential control of exogenous chemical events inside cells is a promising way to regulate cell functions and fate. Herein we report a DNA nanocomplex containing cascade DNAzymes and promoter-like Zn-Mn-Ferrite (ZMF), achieving combined gene/chemo-dynamic therapy. The promoter-like ZMF decomposed in response to intratumoral glutathione to release a sufficient quantity of metal ions, thus promoting cascade DNA/RNA cleavage and free radical generation. Two kinds of DNAzymes were designed for sequential cascade enzymatic reaction, in which metal ions functioned as cofactors. The primary DNAzyme self-cleaved the DNA chain with Zn2+ as cofactor, and produced the secondary DNAzyme; the secondary DNAzyme afterwards cleaved the EGR-1 mRNA, and thus downregulated the expression of target EGR-1 protein, achieving DNAzyme-based gene therapy. Meanwhile, the released Zn2+ , Mn2+ and Fe2+ induced Fenton/Fenton-like reactions, during which free radicals were catalytically generated and efficient chemo-dynamic therapy was achieved. In a breast cancer mouse model, the administration of DNA nanocomplex led to a significant therapeutic efficacy of tumor growth suppression.

A dye combination for the staining of pollen coat and pollen wall.

The pollen coat, which forms on the pollen surface, consists of a lipid-protein matrix. It protects pollen from desiccation and is involved in adhesion, pollen-stigma recognition, and pollen hydration during interactions with the stigma. The classical methods used for pollen coat observation are scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In this work, we screened a collection of fluorescence dyes and identified two fluorescent brighteners FB-52 and FB-184. When they were used together with the exine-specific dye, Basic fuchsin, the pollen coat and the exine structures could be clearly visualized in the pollen of Brassica napus. This co-staining method was applied successfully in staining pollen from Fraxinus chinensis, Calystegia hederacea, and Petunia hybrida. Using this method, small pollen coat-containing cavities were detected in the outer pollen wall layer of Oryza sativa and Zea mays. We further showed these dyes are compatible with fluorescent protein markers. In the Arabidopsis thaliana transgenic line of GFP-tagged pollen coat protein GRP19, GRP19-GFP was observed to form particles at the periphery of pollen coat. This simple staining method is expected to be widely used for the studies of the palynology as well as the pollen-stigma interaction.

Changes of Endothelin-1 and Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Concentrations in Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy after Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Hot Compression with Chinese Herbal Medicine.

Objective: This study aimed at investigating the effects of wrist-ankle acupuncture-moxibustion and hot compression with Chinese herbal medicine on pain symptoms, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) concentrations of patients with cervical radiculopathy (CR). Methods: A total of 82 patients with CR were randomly divided into the study group and control group, with 41 cases in each group. The control group was treated with standard treatment. In addition to standard treatment, the study group was additionally treated with wrist-ankle acupuncture-moxibustion and hot compression with Chinese herbal medicine. The ET-1 and CGRP concentrations in the plasma were measured by the radioimmunoassay method. Results: The total response rate in the study group and the control group was 97.55% and 82.93%, respectively. The study group showed lower scores of the visual analogue scale (VAS), Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), numbness intensity assessment, and neck disability index (NDI) but higher scores of the Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire than the control group after treatment. Besides, the study group exhibited reduced ET-1 and substance P (SP) concentrations concomitant with increased CGRP and ß-endorphin (ß-EP) concentrations compared with the control group. Conclusion: Wrist-ankle acupuncture-moxibustion and hot compression with Chinese herbal medicine could effectively alleviate the pain of CR patients, affect ET-1 and CGRP concentrations, promote the recovery of cervical function, and improve the quality of life.

[Effect of elongated-needle by Hui-puncture method on piriformis syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of elongated needle by Hui-puncture method in the treatment of piriformis syndrome. METHODS: A total of 100 piriformis syndrome patients were randomly divided into routine acupuncture group (n＝50) and elongated needle by Hui-puncture method (Hui-puncture) group (n＝50). For patients of the routine acupuncture group, Huantiao (GB30), Juliao (GB29), Zhibian (BL54), Weizhong (BL40), Yanglingquan (GB34), Juegu (GB39) and Ashi-point on the affected side of the body were punctured with filiform needles for 30 min. And for those of the Hui-puncture group, elongated needles were respectively inserted into GB30 and Ashi-point. The treatment was conducted once every other day for 10 times. The visual analog scale (VAS) pain score and the severity scores of symptoms (hip pain, lower limb pain, walking ability, straight leg elevation test, piriformis muscle tension test, piriformis muscle tenderness, 0-15 points) were measured before and after the treatment. The therapeutic effect was assessed by Criteria for Diagnosis and Assessment of Therapeutic Effect of Syndromes or Illnesses of Traditional Chinese Medicine (1994). RESULTS: After the treatment, the scores of symptoms and VAS scores of both routine acupuncture and Hui-puncture groups were significantly decreased in comparison with their own pre-treatment (P<0.05), and the scores of the two indexes of the Hui-puncture group were evidently lower than those of the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). Of the two 50 cases in the routine acupuncture and Hui-puncture groups, 39 and 47 were effective, with the effective rate being 78.00% and 94.00%, respectively. The comprehensive therapeutic effect of the Hui-puncture group was significantly superior to that of the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Elongated-needle by Hui-puncture method has significant effect in treating piriformis syndrome patients and is worthy of promotion.

Therapeutic observation of arthrolysis under brachial plexus anesthesia for adhesivecapsulitis of the shoulder / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To objectively evaluate the short-term and long-term efficacies of arthrolysis under brachial plexus anesthesia in treating adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder (ACS). Methods: One hundred patients diagnosed with ACS were divided into two groups using the random number method. The two groups both received same active rehabilitation exercises. Besides, 55 cases in the treatment group were given one session of arthrolysis under brachial plexus anesthesia, and 45 cases in the control group were given tuina treatment. Changes in the visual analog scale (VAS) score, Melle score and pressure pain index were observed 1 month and 3 months after treatment. The therapeutic efficacies were also compared. Results: The total effective rate was 96.4％ at the 1-month follow-up and 96.4％ at the 3-month follow-up in the treatment group. The total effective rate was 33.3％ at the 1-month follow-up and 28.9％ at the 3-month follow-up in the control group. There were significant differences between the two groups comparing the total effective rate at the two time points (both P<0.05). The scores of VAS, Melle and pressure pain were significantly different at the 1-month and 3-month follow-ups from those before treatment in the treatment group (all P<0.05); the three scores did not show significant differences at the 1-month and 3-month follow-ups compared with those before treatment in the control group (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the active rehabilitation exercises, one session of arthrolysis under brachial plexus anesthesia can release the adhesion and restore the range of motion and function of shoulder joint in ACS patients. It is superior to rehabilitation exercises plus tuina treatment comparing both short-term and long-term efficacies.

Ba-Wei-Die-Huang-Wan (Hachimi-jio-gan) can ameliorate ketamine-induced cystitis by modulating neuroreceptors, inflammatory mediators, and fibrogenesis in a rat model.

AIM: We investigated the effects of Ba-Wei-Die-Huang-Wan (BWDHW) on ketamine-induced cystitis (KIC) in a rat model. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed into three groups: control (saline), ketamine (25 mg/kg/day for 28 days), or ketamine (25 mg/kg/day for 28 days) plus BWDHW (90 mg/kg/day, started from day 14). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), metabolic cage study, and cystometry were evaluated. Bladder histology was evaluated. Western blots of the bladder proteins were carried out. RESULTS: Compared with controls, ketamine-treated rats showed stronger fMRI intensity in the periaqueductal gray area and bladder overactivity in the bladder functional study, but the ketamine/BWDHW-treated rats did not. Furthermore, ketamine breached the uroplakin III membrane at the apical surface of the urothelium, enhanced substance P spread over the urothelium, induced suburothelial hemorrhage and monocyte/macrophage infiltration, and caused interstitial fibrosis deposition. By contrast, the BWDHW-treated rats exhibited less substance P spread, lower suburothelial monocyte/macrophage infiltration, and lower interstitial fibrosis deposition. The ketamine group showed significant overexpression of neuroreceptors in the bladder mucosa (the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 and M2 - and M3 -muscarinic receptors) and detrusor (M2 - and M3 -muscarinic receptors); inflammatory mediators in the detrusor (interleukin-1ß [IL-1ß], IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor-κB, cyclooxygenase-2, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1); and fibrogenesis molecules in the detrusor (transforming growth factor-ß1, collagen I, collagen III, and fibronectin). However, no significant changes were noted between the ketamine/BWDHW and control groups. CONCLUSION: BWDHW could exert therapeutic effects by inhibiting the upregulation of neuroreceptors, modulating inflammatory mediators, suppressing fibrogenesis, and ameliorating bladder overactivity in rats with KIC.

Low Energy Shock Wave Therapy Inhibits Inflammatory Molecules and Suppresses Prostatic Pain and Hypersensitivity in a Capsaicin Induced Prostatitis Model in Rats.

The effect of low energy shock wave (LESW) therapy on the changes of inflammatory molecules and pain reaction was studied in a capsaicin (10 mM, 0.1 cc) induced prostatitis model in rats. Intraprostatic capsaicin injection induced a pain reaction, including closing of the eyes, hypolocomotion, and tactile allodynia, which effects were ameliorated by LESW treatment. LESW therapy (2Hz, energy flux density of 0.12 mJ/mm2) at 200 and 300 shocks significantly decreased capsaicin-induced inflammatory reactions, reflected by a reduction of tissue edema and inflammatory cells, COX-2 and TNF-α stained positive cells, however, the therapeutic effects were not observed at 100 shocks treated group. Capsaicin-induced IL-1ß, COX-2, IL-6, caspase-1, and NGF upregulation on day 3 and 7, while NALP1 and TNF-α upregulation was observed on day 7. LESW significantly suppressed the expression of IL-1ß, COX-2, caspase-1, NGF on day 3 and IL-1ß, TNF-α, COX-2, NALP1, caspase-1, NGF expression on day 7 in a dose-dependent fashion. LESW has no significant effect on IL-6 expression. Intraprostatic capsaicin injection activates inflammatory molecules and induces prostatic pain and hypersensitivity, which effects were suppressed by LESW. These findings might be the potential mechanisms of LESW therapy for nonbacterial prostatitis in humans.

Observations on the Efficacy of Scalp Acupuncture with Strong Stimulation in Treating Intractable Hiccup / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of scalp acupuncture with strong stimulation plus oral hiccup decoction in treating intractable hiccup. Method One hundred patients with intractable hiccup were allocated, using a random number table, to treatment and control groups, 50 cases each. In addition to oral hiccup decoction in the two groups, the treatment group received scalp acupuncture with strong stimulation at the stomach and chest areas and the control group, electroacupuncture, for two courses of treatment. The times to produce the effect and the symptom frequency scores were compared between the two groups. Result After one course of treatment, the cure rate, the cure and marked efficacy rate and the total efficacy rate were 42％, 66％ and 78％, respectively, in the treatment group and 24％, 40％ and 68％, respectively, in the control group. There were statistically significant difference in the cure rate and the cure and marked efficacy rate (P<0.05) but no in the total efficacy rate (P>0.05) between the two groups. After two courses of treatment, the cure rate, the cure and marked efficacy rate and the total efficacy rate were 68％, 78％ and 88％, respectively, in the treatment group and 40％, 60％ and 74％, respectively, in the control group. There were statistically significant difference in the cure rate (P<0.05) but no in the cure and marked efficacy rate and the total efficacy rate (P>0.05) between the two groups. After one and two courses of treatment, there was a statistically significant difference in the hiccup frequency score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). The time to produce the effect was 2-5 hrs in the treatment group and 5-8 hrs in the control group. Conclusion The total efficacy rate of scalp acupuncture with strong stimulation for intractable hiccup is not significantly different from that of electroacupuncture, but the cure rate of the former was significantly higher than that of the latter. Scalp acupuncture with strong stimulation can produce a quick effect, reduce the frequency of hiccups and relieve symptoms accompanying hiccup.

Advances in intravesical therapy for bladder pain syndrome (BPS)/interstitial cystitis (IC).

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS)/interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic symptom complex that may cause bothersome storage symptoms and pain or discomfort of the bladder, adversely affecting a patient's quality of life. The etiology of IC/BPS remains unclear, and its cause may be multifactorial. Diagnosis of IC/BPS is based on clinical features, and the possibility of other conditions must be ruled out first. Although no definitive treatment is currently available for IC/BPS, various intravesical therapies are used for IC/BPS, including heparin, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, pentosan polysulfate, dimethylsulfoxide, liposomes, and botulinum onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT-A). This review summarizes the intravesical therapy for IC/BPS and discusses recent advances in the instillation of liposomal-mediated BoNT-A and other newly developed intravesical therapies.

Protective effect and mechanism of lycopene on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from type 2 diabetes mellitus rats.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), widely existing in bone marrow and peripheral blood, are involved in the repair of injured vascular endothelium and angiogenesis which are important to diabetic mellitus (DM) patients with vascular complications. The number and the function of EPCs are related to the advanced glycation end products (AGEs) generated in DM patients. Lycopene (Lyc) is an identified natural antioxidant that protects EPCs under the microenvironment of AGEs from damage. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To investigate the effect of Lyc on EPCs, we isolated EPCs from DM rat bone marrow and determined cell proliferation, cell cycle,apoptosis and autophagy of EPCs. The present study showed that 10µg/mL Lyc improved cell proliferation and had low cytotoxicity in the presence of AGEs. In addition, Lyc rescued S phase of the cell cycle arrest, reduced apoptosis rate and decreased autophagic reaction including ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of EPCs. Moreover, Lyc combined use of autophagy inhibitors, 3-MA, had better protective effects. Taken together, our data suggests that Lyc promotes EPCs survival and protect EPCs from apoptosis and oxidative autophagy induced by AGEs, further remaining the number and function of EPCs. This study provides new insights into Lyc protective mechanism of AGEs-induced oxidative autophagy in EPCs from DM patients and offers a new therapy for DM vascular complications.

Ba-Wei-Die-Huang-Wan (Hachimi-jio-gan) can ameliorate cyclophosphamide-induced ongoing bladder overactivity and acidic adenosine triphosphate solution-induced hyperactivity on rats prestimulated bladder.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ba-Wei-Die-Huang-Wan (BWDHW) is the traditional Chinese medicine formula containing eight ingredients, namely Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaetn.) DC., root, steamed & dried; Cornus officinalis Siebold & Zucc., fructus, dried; Dioscorea oppositifolia L., root, dried; Alisma plantago-aquatica, subsp. orientale (Sam.) Sam., tuber, dried; Poria cocos (Fr.) Wolf., sclerotium, dried; Paeonia×suffruticosa Andrews, bark, dried; Cinnamomum cassia (Nees & T.Nees) J. Presl, bark, dried; Aconitum carmichaeli Debeaux, lateral root, dried & processed. It has been used for diabetes and urinary frequency treatments. AIM OF THE STUDY: We investigate effects of BWDHW on cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced ongoing bladder overactivity and acidic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) solution-induced hyperactivity on rat's prestimulated bladder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Female Wistar rats were injected with intraperitoneal CYP (100mg/kg) or saline respectively. Rats were treated with BWDHW (90mg/kg/day) or vehicle for the next five days. After treatments animals were evaluated both in metabolic cage model and then by cystometry. Acidic ATP solution (5mM, pH 3.3) was instilled to provoke bladder hyperactivity. Bladder mucosa and muscle proteins were assessed by Western blotting. RESULTS: As compared to the controls, the CYP group showed significantly decreased mean cystometric intercontractile interval and increased micturition frequency, whereas the CYP/BWDWH group did not. The CYP group had significant protein overexpression in mucosal M2, M3, P2X2, and P2X3 receptors as well as detrusor M2 and M3 receptors. However, the CYP/BWDWH group had insignificant changes from controls. In the provoking test, the control/BWDHW and CYP/BWDHW groups were less affected by acidic ATP stimulation of intercontractile interval changes than the control group. Compared to the control group, the control/BWDHW group showed significantly lower mucosal P2X3 protein expression and the CYP group showed significant mucosal TRPV1 protein upregulation after the provoking test. CONCLUSION: BWDHW treatment can ameliorate CYP-induced ongoing bladder overactivity and suppress mucosal P2X2, P2X3, M2, and M3 receptor protein overexpression, as well as detrusor M2 and M3 receptor protein overexpression. BWDHW pretreatment can reduce acidic ATP solution-provoked hyperactivity by preventing TRPV1 receptor overexpression in CYP-treated bladder mucosa and inhibiting P2X3 receptor overexpression in naïve bladder mucosa.

Effects of electroacupuncture on muscle state and electrophysiological changes in rabbits with lumbar nerve root compression.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on force-displacement value (FDV) of muscle state and electrophysiology of the muscle in rabbits with lumbar nerve root compression. METHODS: Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a control, a model, an electro-acupuncture acupoints (EAA), a medication, and an electro-acupuncture un-acupoints (EAU) group. All rabbits except those in the control group were subject to modeling (surgical lumbar nerve root compression). The control group was sham-operated without nerve root compression. The EAA group received electro-acupuncture at bilateral Shenshu (BL23) and Dachangshu (BL25) that were located 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior midline on the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd and 4th lumbar vertebra, respectively. The EA was 15 mm deep and the frequency was 2 Hz. Each session lasted for 20 min per day for a total of 14 times. The medication group was treated with Loxoprofen sodium by gastrogavage at 4 mg/kg per day for 14 days. The EAU group received electro-acupuncture identical to the EAA group with regard to the treatment frequency and duration except a different acupoint at the tip of rabbit tail. Muscle states were determined by measuring FDVs of the bilateral biceps femoris using the Myotonometer® fast muscle state detector. Meanwhile, the prolonged and non-prolonged insertion potentials were measured by electromyography before and after modeling and after treatment. Latency, amplitude (Amp) of evoked potential, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) were also determined after treatment. RESULTS: (1) After modeling, FDVs of right side activation (RSA, P=0.003) and right side relaxation (RSR) in the model group (P=0.000) were significantly decreased in comparison to the control group. The number of rabbits with non-prolonged insertion potentials in the model group was also significantly decreased (P=0.015) in comparison to the control group. (2) After treatment, FDVs of RSR were significantly increased in the EAA (P=0.000) and medication groups (P=0.018) in comparison to the model group. The increase in FDVs of RSR in the EAA group was significantly higher than that in EAU (P=0.000) and medication groups (P=0.002). MNCV in the model group was reduced compared with the control group (P=0.000). The reduction in MNCV after modeling was reversed in the EAA group (P=0.000) and medication group (P=0.008) after treatment and the increases were significant in both treatment groups in comparison to the model group. The EAA group had a greater MNCV recovery than the medication group (P=0.022). CONCLUSION: Electro-acupuncture could improve the rehabilitation and regeneration of FDVs and the electrophysiology index of the muscle with nerve control impairment.

Can high-dose-rate brachytherapy prevent the major genitourinary complication better than external beam radiation alone for patients with previous transurethral resection of prostate?

PURPOSE: To compare the grade 3 genitourinary toxicity and oncological outcome for localized prostate cancer between high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) alone in patients with previously undergone Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 1998 to November 2008, 78 patients with a history of TURP underwent radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer. Of these, 59 were enrolled in this study. In this study, 34 patients underwent HDR brachytherapy and 25 patients underwent EBRT alone. RESULTS: Grade 3 genitourinary complication was observed in 8.8 % of HDR brachytherapy group and 44 % in EBRT alone group. Five-year urinary incontinence rate was 2.9 % in HDR brachytherapy and 24 % in EBRT alone group. The results showed that significant higher incidence of grade 3 genitourinary complication (p = 0.003) and urinary incontinence was the most significant (p = 0.023) in the EBRT alone group. Five-year biochemical survival rate was 82.4 % in HDR brachytherapy group and 72.0 % in EBRT alone group (p = 0.396). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with prostate cancer who have previously undergone TURP, we observed that HDR brachytherapy was able to control prostate cancer with fewer GU morbidities and oncological outcomes that were similar to those associated with traditional EBRT alone. Moreover, HDR brachytherapy led to a decrease in major GU toxicity and also preserved the sphincter function more than that in TURP patients who underwent EBRT alone.

Effects of electroacupuncture on muscle state and electrophysiological changes in rabbits with lumbar nerve root compression / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on force-displacement value (FDV) of muscle state and electrophysiology of the muscle in rabbits with lumbar nerve root compression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a control, a model, an electro-acupuncture acupoints (EAA), a medication, and an electro-acupuncture un-acupoints (EAU) group. All rabbits except those in the control group were subject to modeling (surgical lumbar nerve root compression). The control group was sham-operated without nerve root compression. The EAA group received electro-acupuncture at bilateral Shenshu (BL23) and Dachangshu (BL25) that were located 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior midline on the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd and 4th lumbar vertebra, respectively. The EA was 15 mm deep and the frequency was 2 Hz. Each session lasted for 20 min per day for a total of 14 times. The medication group was treated with Loxoprofen sodium by gastrogavage at 4 mg/kg per day for 14 days. The EAU group received electro-acupuncture identical to the EAA group with regard to the treatment frequency and duration except a different acupoint at the tip of rabbit tail. Muscle states were determined by measuring FDVs of the bilateral biceps femoris using the Myotonometer® fast muscle state detector. Meanwhile, the prolonged and non-prolonged insertion potentials were measured by electromyography before and after modeling and after treatment. Latency, amplitude (Amp) of evoked potential, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) were also determined after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) After modeling, FDVs of right side activation (RSA, P=0.003) and right side relaxation (RSR) in the model group (P=0.000) were significantly decreased in comparison to the control group. The number of rabbits with non-prolonged insertion potentials in the model group was also significantly decreased (P=0.015) in comparison to the control group. (2) After treatment, FDVs of RSR were significantly increased in the EAA (P=0.000) and medication groups (P=0.018) in comparison to the model group. The increase in FDVs of RSR in the EAA group was significantly higher than that in EAU (P=0.000) and medication groups (P=0.002). MNCV in the model group was reduced compared with the control group (P=0.000). The reduction in MNCV after modeling was reversed in the EAA group (P=0.000) and medication group (P=0.008) after treatment and the increases were significant in both treatment groups in comparison to the model group. The EAA group had a greater MNCV recovery than the medication group (P=0.022).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electro-acupuncture could improve the rehabilitation and regeneration of FDVs and the electrophysiology index of the muscle with nerve control impairment.</p>

High-intensity diode laser in combination with bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate: a new strategy for the treatment of large prostates (>80 ml).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The ideal treatment of large prostates with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) remains controversial. We compare the efficacy and safety of monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with high-intensity diode laser in combination with bipolar TURP (DL + b-TURP) in the treatment of large prostates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to BPH with prostates larger than 80 ml, undergoing monopolar TURP (n = 36) or DL + b-TURP (n = 37) between January 2008 and March 2010. The preoperative and follow-up functional parameters including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), post-void residual urine (PVR), maximum flow rate (Q(max) ), quality of life score (QoLs), prostate size, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were assessed. The operative data, peri- and post-operative complications were also recorded. RESULTS: The demographic data were comparable between the two groups. Preoperative prostate volume was 110.8 ± 28.9 ml in the DL + b-TURP group and 103.7 ± 31.2 ml in the TURP group. TURP group had significantly shorter operative time; however, the catheterization time and hospital stay were in favor of the DL + b-TURP group (P < 0.001). The decrease in hemoglobin was statistically significantly greater in the TURP group. Late complications were also comparable. Both groups could achieve significant improvements in functional outcomes during the follow-up of 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: With regard to the operative safety and functional results, high-intensity diode laser combined with bipolar TURP is feasible for BPH treatment with large prostates.

[Correlation study on effects of electroacupuncture on the muscle condition and MNCV in rabbits with lumbar nerve root compression].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on the muscle condition and electrophysiology of the muscle in rabbits with lumbar nerve root compression and to explore potential mechanisms. METHODS: Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a medication group and an electroacupuncture group. The rabbit model with lumbar nerve root compression was established in the model group, the medication group and the electroacupuncture group. The model and the treatment were not produced in the normal group. The medication group was treated with oral administration of Loxoprofen tablets at a dose of 30 mg each day for 14 days. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) of L5 and L6 for 14 days. The hibateral muscle condition before and after making model and after treatment was detected and the electromyogram and the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were observed. RESULTS: The spontaneous potential and the insertion potential were increased in the model group, the medication group and the electroacupuncture group after making model. The value of the activation and the relaxed condition of the strength-creep (ARCSC) in the right muscle was significantly decreased. The motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and the wave amplitude of evoked potential (WAEP) were significantly decreased in the model group, the medication group and the electroacupuncture group after treatment, but the value of MNCV and WAEP in the electroacupuncture group, and ARCSC in the right muscle in the electroacupuncture group and the medicine group were closed to those level in the normal group, among them, the relaxed condition in the electroacupuncture group was more close to the level in the normal group. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture can improve the strength-creep condition of the muscle that damage nerve place controls and the electrophysiology of the muscle can recover the MNCV and the wave amplitude of evoked potential in the compression nerve root.

Correlation study on effects of electroacupuncture on the muscle condition and MNCV in rabbits with lumbar nerve root compression / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on the muscle condition and electrophysiology of the muscle in rabbits with lumbar nerve root compression and to explore potential mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a medication group and an electroacupuncture group. The rabbit model with lumbar nerve root compression was established in the model group, the medication group and the electroacupuncture group. The model and the treatment were not produced in the normal group. The medication group was treated with oral administration of Loxoprofen tablets at a dose of 30 mg each day for 14 days. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) of L5 and L6 for 14 days. The hibateral muscle condition before and after making model and after treatment was detected and the electromyogram and the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The spontaneous potential and the insertion potential were increased in the model group, the medication group and the electroacupuncture group after making model. The value of the activation and the relaxed condition of the strength-creep (ARCSC) in the right muscle was significantly decreased. The motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and the wave amplitude of evoked potential (WAEP) were significantly decreased in the model group, the medication group and the electroacupuncture group after treatment, but the value of MNCV and WAEP in the electroacupuncture group, and ARCSC in the right muscle in the electroacupuncture group and the medicine group were closed to those level in the normal group, among them, the relaxed condition in the electroacupuncture group was more close to the level in the normal group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture can improve the strength-creep condition of the muscle that damage nerve place controls and the electrophysiology of the muscle can recover the MNCV and the wave amplitude of evoked potential in the compression nerve root.</p>