[Changes of histology and ultrastructure of otopoint "Stomach" area in rabbits with chronic gastritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the histological and ultrastructural changes of the otopoint "Stomach" (MA-IC) area in chronic gastritis rabbits so as to provide a foundation for auricular acupoint diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: A total of 20 New Zealand rabbits (half male and half female) were randomly and equally divided into control and model groups. The chronic gastritis model was established by gavage of 5% sodium salicylate each day for 5 weeks, while the rabbits of the control group received gavage of clear water at the same volume. Morphological changes of the tissues of gastric mucosa, otopoint "Stomach" and auricular control point were observed under light microscope after staining with hematoxylin-eosin (H.E.), and given scores (0-3 points) according to the levels of inflammatory cells. The ultrastructural changes of the otopoint "Stomach" tissue were observed under transmission electronic microscope (TEM). RESULTS: H.E. staining revealed smoothness of the gastric smooth muscle with no or a few of inflammatory cells in the control group, and appearance of gastric mucosal hemorrhage and erosion, slightly disordered epithelial glands and infiltration of a large number of lymphocytes in the mucosal layer with some clustered lymphocyte aggregation foci in the model group. The pathological score of gastric mucous in the model group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). Under light microscope, no obvious changes were observed in the skin of the otopoint "Stomach" of the control group and the control point of the model group, whereas hyperplasia and abscission in the epidermic cuticle and spinous layer and basal layer, dermal tissue and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the otopoint "Stomach" of the model group. Results of TEM observation showed no significant changes in the ultrastructure of the otopoint "Stomach" in the control group, and swollen and vacuolated epidermal keratinocyte mitochondria, reduced keratin filament aggregation, widened local cell space, unclear desmosome structure, activation of the dermal fibroblasts, and an increase of the myelinated nerve mitochondria in the "Stomach" region in the model group. CONCLUSION: The otopoint "Stomach" tissue has structural damage and hyperplasia in chronic gastritis rabbits, suggesting a special correlation between the otopoint "Stomach" and gastric tissue, hence, providing a morphological basis for otopoint diagnosis and treatment.

Acute EPA-induced learning and memory impairment in mice is prevented by DHA.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid, has been widely used to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and treat brain diseases alone or in combination with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, the impact of EPA and DHA supplementation on normal cognitive function and the molecular targets of EPA and DHA are still unknown. We show that acute administration of EPA impairs learning and memory and hippocampal LTP in adult and prepubescent mice. Similar deficits are duplicated by endogenously elevating EPA in the hippocampus in the transgenic fat-1 mouse. Furthermore, the damaging effects of EPA are mediated through enhancing GABAergic transmission via the 5-HT6R. Interestingly, DHA can prevent EPA-induced impairments at a ratio of EPA to DHA similar to that in marine fish oil via the 5-HT2CR. We conclude that EPA exhibits an unexpected detrimental impact on cognitive functions, suggesting that caution must be exercised in omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and the combination of EPA and DHA at a natural ratio is critical for learning and memory and synaptic plasticity.

[Clinical research of auricular gold-needle therapy in treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome of qi deficiency constitution].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effects of auricular gold-needle therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome of qi deficiency constitution and explore its potential mechanism. METHODS: A total of 120 patients were randomized into an auricular gold-needle therapy group, an auricular point pressure therapy group and a Chinese herb group, 40 cases in each one. Additionally, a health control group (40 cases) was set up, without any intervention. In the auricular gold-needle therapy group, the gold needle was used to stimulate the auricular points on one side and the cowherb seed pressure therapy on the other side. In the auricular point pressure therapy group, the cowherb seed pressure therapy was adopted only on one side. The auricular points were shen (CO10), xin (CO15), fei (CO14), pizhixia (AT4), etc. in the two groups. The auricular points on both sides were used alternatively. The treatment was given once a week, 4 treatments as one course and the consecutive 3 courses of treatment were required. In the Chinese herb group, buzhong yiqi wan was prescribed for oral administration, 6 g, twice a day, the medication for 1 month was as one session and the consecutive 3 sessions of medication were required. Before and after treatment, separately, the clinical symptom score, the levels of the serum immunoglobulins, i.e. IgA, IgG and IgM were observed in the patients of the three groups. The therapeutic effects were evaluated in the three groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 90.0% (36/40) in the auricular gold-needle therapy group, better than 80.0% (32/40) in the auricular point pressure therapy group and 82.5% (33/40) in the Chinese herb group (both P<0.05). Before treatment, the clinical symptom scores of the patients in the three groups were obviously higher than the health control group (all P<0.001). After treatment, the symptom scores were all reduced as compared the scores before treatment in the three groups (all P<0.001) and the symptom scores in the auricular gold-needle therapy group were better than the auricular point pressure therapy group and the Chinese herb group (both P<0.01). Before treatment, the levels of serum IgA, IgG and IgM of the patients in the three groups were lower than the health control group (all P<0.001). The levels were all improved after treatment in the three groups (all P<0.01), and the levels in the auricular gold-needle therapy group was better than the auricular point pressure therapy group and the Chinese herb group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The auricular gold-needle therapy achieves the significant therapeutic effects on chronic fatigue syndrome of qi deficiency constitution and its mechanism is probably related to the regulation of immune function.

Reduced corporal fibrosis to protect erectile function by inhibiting the Rho-kinase/LIM-kinase/cofilin pathway in the aged transgenic rat harboring human tissue kallikrein 1.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that erectile function was preserved in aged transgenic rats (TGR) harboring the human tissue kallikrein 1 (hKLK1), while the molecular level of hKLK1 on corporal fibrosis to inhibit age-related erectile dysfunction (ED) is poorly understood. Male wild-type Sprague-Dawley rats (WTR) and TGR harboring the hKLK1 gene were fed to 4- or 18-month-old and divided into three groups: young WTR (yWTR) as the control, aged WTR (aWTR), and aged TGR (aTGR). Erectile function of all rats was assessed by cavernous nerve electrostimulation method. Masson's trichrome staining was used to evaluate corporal fibrosis in the corpus cavernosum. We found that the erectile function of rats in the aWTR group was significantly lower than that of other two groups. Masson's trichrome staining revealed that compared with those of the yWTR and aTGR groups, the ratio of smooth muscle cell (SMC)/collagen (C) was significantly lower in the aWTR group. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis were performed, and results demonstrated that expression of α-SMA was lower, while expressions of transforming growth factor-ß 1 (TGF-ß1), RhoA, ROCK1, p-MYPT1, p-LIMK2, and p-cofilin were higher in the aWTR group compared with those in other two groups. However, LIMK2 and cofilin expressions did not differ among three groups. Taken together, these results indicated that the RhoA/ROCK1/LIMK/cofilin pathway may be involved in the corporal fibrosis caused by advanced age, and hKLK1 may reduce this corporal fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of this pathway to ameliorate age-related ED.

[Qilin Pills for idiopathic oligoasthenospermia: A multi-centered randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Qilin Pills in the treatment of oligoasthenospermia in infertile men. METHODS: This multi-centered randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial included 216 infertile males with oligoasthenospermia, 108 in the trial group and the other 108 in the control, the former treated with Qilin Pills at the dose of 6 g tid while the latter with Wuziyanzong Pills at 6 g bid, both for 12 weeks. We examined the total sperm count, sperm motility and the count of progressively motile sperm of the patients before and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after medication and evaluated the safety of the drug based on the adverse events and the laboratory results of blood and urine routine examinations and liver and kidney function tests. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, the patients in the trial group showed a significant time-dependent improvement after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of medication in sperm motility (21.75% vs 27.54%, 29.04% and 32.95%, P <0.05), total sperm count (156.27 ×106 vs 177.33, 188.18 and 205.44 ×106, P <0.05), and the count of progressively motile sperm (32.08 ×106/ml vs 46.33, 50.98 and 61.10 ×106/ml, P <0.05). The three parameters above were also improved in the controls, but more significantly in the trial group (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Qilin Pills can evidently improve the semen quality of oligoasthenospermia patients with no obvious adverse events.

[Thulium laser vaporization versus transurethral resection of the prostate and risk factors for postoperative urethral stricture].

OBJECTIVE: To compare thulium laser vaporization of the prostate (TLVP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) analyze the risk factors for postoperative urethral stricture. METHODS: From June 2015 to June 2016, 210 BPH patients in our hospital underwent TURP (n = 126) or TLVP (n = 84). We followed up the patients for 6 months, compared the effects of the two surgical strategies and analyzed the risk factors for postoperative urethral stricture by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Compared with TURP, TLVP achieved significantly shorter time of operation (ï¼»78.6 ± 27.5ï¼½ vs ï¼»53.2 ± 21.6ï¼½ min, P <0.01), postoperative bladder irrigation (ï¼»31.5 ± 2.9ï¼½ vs ï¼»26.1 ± 3.7ï¼½ h, P <0.01), urethral catheterization (ï¼»5.3 ± 1.7ï¼½ vs ï¼»3.7 ± 1.5ï¼½ d, P <0.01) and postoperative hospitalization (ï¼»7.9 ± 2.1ï¼½ vs ï¼»5.5 ± 1.4ï¼½ d, P <0.01) as well as lower urinary leukocyte count at 6 months after surgery (ï¼»32.1 ± 12.6ï¼½ vs ï¼»24.9 ± 11.7ï¼½ /µl, P <0.01) and incidence rate of postoperative complications (11.9% ï¼»15/126ï¼½ vs 3.6% ï¼»3/84ï¼½, P <0.05), particularly that of urethral stricture (7.9% ï¼»10/126ï¼½ vs 1.2% ï¼»1/84ï¼½, P <0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the preoperative urinary leukocyte count, postoperative urethral catheterization time, and surgical method were independent risk factors for postoperative urethral stricture. CONCLUSIONS: TLVP, in comparison with TURP, has the advantages of definite effect, fast recovery, high safety and low incidence of postoperative urethral stricture. The main risk factors for postoperative urethral stricture include preoperative urinary tract infection, postoperative urethral catheterization time and surgical method.

[Concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor in plasma and cavernous corpus of aged rat].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in aged rat plasma and penile tissues. METHODS: Twelve 24-month-old rats and ten 12-week-old rats were selected. We assessed the erectile responses of rats to cavernous nerve electrostimulation. Then the concentrations of bFGF in the rats' plasma and penile tissues were detected by ELISA kit and smooth muscle contents in the rats' cavernous corpus were evaluated by masson trichrome staining. RESULTS: Compared with the young rats, we found that the erectile function of the aged rats were significantly attenuated (The Max ICP/MAP in the aged rats were 0.41±0.05, 0.44±0.04 and 0.51±0.06 at 2.5 volts, 5.0 volts and 7.5 volts respectively while the Max ICP/MAP in the normal controls were 0.70±0.06, 0.75±0.07 and 0.81±0.04 at 2.5 volts, 5 volts and 7.5 volts respectively, P<0.05). The concentrations of bFGF [The bFGF levels in plasma and penile tissues in the aged rat were (6.43±0.51) µg/L and (598.6±51.7) pg/mg protein respectively while the bFGF levels in the normal control were (10.53±0.42) µg/L and (985.8±76.8) pg/mg protein] were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Furthermore, the smooth muscle contents in the aged rats' penile tissues (0.038±0.005) were dramatically decreased compared with the normal control (0.075±0.006, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The reduced levels of bFGF may be related to the decreased smooth muscle contents in the penile tissues of the aged rats.

Efficacy of Acupuncture in Children with Nocturnal Enuresis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background. Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is recognized as a widespread health problem in young children and adolescents. Clinical researches about acupuncture therapy for nocturnal enuresis are increasing, while systematic reviews assessing the efficacy of acupuncture therapy are still lacking. Objective. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy for nocturnal enuresis. Materials and Methods. A comprehensive literature search of 8 databases was performed up to June 2014; randomized controlled trials which compared acupuncture therapy and placebo treatment or pharmacological therapy were identified. A meta-analysis was conducted. Results. This review included 21 RCTs and a total of 1590 subjects. The overall methodological qualities were low. The results of meta-analysis showed that acupuncture therapy was more effective for clinical efficacy when compared with placebo or pharmacological treatment. Adverse events associated with acupuncture therapy were not documented. Conclusion. Based on the findings of this study, we cautiously suggest that acupuncture therapy could improve the clinical efficacy. However, the beneficial effect of acupuncture might be overstated due to low methodological qualities. Rigorous high quality RCTs are urgently needed.

Chinese urologists' practice patterns of diagnosing and treating chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a questionnaire survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of the Chinese Urological Association (CUA) guidelines on prostatitis and the effects on the clinical practice patterns of diagnosing and treating chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) among Chinese urologists. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire investigation of the CUA guidelines on prostatitis among the urologists from 399 hospitals in 63 cities of China, and performed statistical analyses on all the eligible questionnaires collected. RESULTS: Of the 2 251 questionnaires distributed, 2 046 (90.9%) were eligible, of which 92.5% were from the urologists in tertiary or secondary hospitals, of whom 72.3% had senior or intermediate professional titles, and 90.2% had studied the CUA guidelines. Most respondents agreed that Type III prostatitis was a clinical syndrome, of which the diagnosis should be made after other conditions with similar symptoms had been ruled out and the aim was to relieve pain, alleviate urination symptoms and improve quality of life. Those who had and those who had not studied the CUA guidelines differed in their viewpoints on CPPS as illustrated in the guidelines. In clinical practice, the most common treatment options for CPPS were pharmaceutical therapy (95.0%), life style adjustment (88.9%), and psychotherapy (79.9%), and the most frequently prescribed drugs were phytotherapy (84.5%), α-blockers (79.0%) and antibiotics (64.0%). CONCLUSION: CUA guidelines on prostatitis has gained a nationwide application and promoted the standardization of the management of CPPS in China.

Overexpression of a stress-responsive MYB transcription factor of Poncirus trifoliata confers enhanced dehydration tolerance and increases polyamine biosynthesis.

MYBs are an important family of transcription factors that play significant roles in plant development and stress response in plants. However, knowledge concerning the functions of MYBs in the non-model plants and the target genes is still limited. In this study, we isolated a stress-responsive R2R3-type MYB gene from trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.), designated as PtsrMYB. PtsrMYB shares the highest degree of identity with AtMYB109. Subcellular localization using onion epidermal cells indicates that PtsrMYB is localized in the nucleus. Transcript levels of PtsrMYB were up-regulated by abiotic stresses such as dehydration, salt, cold and ABA treatment. Overexpression of PtsrMYB in tobacco confers enhanced dehydration tolerance, as indicated by less water loss, lower levels of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species. The transgenic tobacco lines displayed higher mRNA levels of two arginine decarboxylase (ADC) genes before and after dehydration treatment when compared with the wild type, concurrent with the greater levels of polyamines. Several MYB-recognizing cis-acting elements exist on the promoters of PtADC gene. Yeast one-hybrid assay demonstrated that PtsrMYB predominantly interact with two regions of the promoter, indicating the PtADC may be a target gene of PtsrMYB. Take together, PtsrMYB plays a positive role in dehydration tolerance, which may be, at least in part, due to the modulation of polyamine synthesis by regulating the ADC gene.

[Influence of photoselective vaporization of prostate on erectile function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) on the erectile function of the patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Using IIEF-5, we conducted a questionnaire investigation among 210 BPH patients before and after treated by PVP (n = 80) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP, n = 130). We also reviewed the clinical data and compared the pre- and post-operative penile erectile function between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Follow-up was completed in 76 cases of PVP and 123 of TURP. The baseline data showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, prostate volume, IPSS, QOL, Qmax, post void urine residual volume and IIEF-5 scores (P>0.05). Compared with the IEFF-5 score at the baseline (21.88 +/- 2.46), those at 3, 6 and 12 months after PVP were 16.72 +/- 3.17, 19.34 +/- 2.46 and 19.29 +/- 2. 18, respectively, significantly decreased at 3 months (P = 0.042), but with no remarkable difference at 6 and 12 months (P >0.05). Nor were there significant differences in the IIEF-5 score between the PVP and TURP groups at any time points (P>0.05). At 6 months after surgery, the incidence rates of erectile dysfunction were 11.7% and 13.7% in the TURP and PVP groups, respectively (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: PVP may reduce erectile function in some cases in the early stage after surgery, but this adverse effect does not last long and is basically similar to that of TURP.

[Clinical research on auricular point therapy for 1477 cases of biased constitution].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of biased constitution patients treated by auricular point therapy on the basis of "preventive treatment" theory. METHODS: By means of self-control, 1477 cases of biased constitution were regulated by auricular point sticking therapy or acupuncture, and follow-up and statistical analysis were conducted to observe the efficacy. RESULTS: There were 322 markedly effective patients, 914 effective patients, 241 failed patients and the total effective rate was 83.7% (1236/1477). CONCLUSION: The comprehensive auricular treatment which is easy to operate and acceptable for patients has obvious effect in biased constitution patients. As a new direction of the "preventive treatment" theory, it can be promoted to be a new intervention way of health care.

[Application of CUA Guidelines on Prostatitis in the management of chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a nationwide survey].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of the Chinese Urological Association (CUA) Guidelines on Prostatitis and its effects on the clinical practice patterns of diagnosing and treating chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) among Chinese urologists and andrologists. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire investigation on the application of the CUA Guidelines on Prostatitis among the urologists and andrologists of 173 hospitals in 21 cities of China, and performed statistical analyses on all the eligible questionnaires collected. RESULTS: Of the 1 056 questionnaires distributed, 851 (80.6%) were eligible, of which 71.6% were from the urologists or andrologists in grade 3 hospitals, 80.7% of them with senior or intermediate professional titles and 97.5% had studied the CUA Guidelines. Most of the subjects agreed that Type III prostatitis is a clinical syndrome, whose diagnosis should exclude other conditions with similar symptoms, and whose treatment should aim at relieving pain, alleviating urination symptoms and improving the quality of life. Those who had and those who had not studied the CUA Guidelines differed in their viewpoints on CPPS as illustrated in the book. In clinical practice, the most common treatment options for CPPS were psychological therapy (80.7%), medication (80.4%) and life style adjustment (79.6%), and the most frequently used drugs were phytotherapy (80.0%), alpha-blockers (68.9%) and antibiotics (61.0%). CONCLUSION: CUA Guidelines on Prostatitis has gained a nationwide application and promoted the standardization of the management of CPPS in China.

[Quantitative evaluation of the degrees of traditional Chinese medicine qualitative syndromes of osteoporosis].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a quantitative estimate model for diagnosing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes of patients with osteoporosis. METHODS: Symptoms and signs of osteoporosis and methodology related to syndrome research were collected by reviewing medical literature. The symptoms and sighs were quantitatively classified into three, two or one category according to a 100-mm visual analog scale. Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model of TCM qualitative syndromes was performed based on analytic hierarchy process. Then "Hall for Workshop of Metasynthetic Engineering" expert symposium was held on subjects of syndrome quantification method and weight of evaluation indices in different levels for developing the analysis model of common syndromes. For clinical verification, the created models were applied to patients with osteoporosis for discriminating syndromes. Syndrome of each patient was also identified by 8 experts major in integrative medicine treating osteoporosis for comparing the coincidence rate using a self-made clinical questionnaire. RESULTS: Through literature reviewing, symptoms and signs quantification and expert discussing, the authors formed estimate models of essence deficit, qi deficiency, yin deficiency, yang deficiency, and blood stasis. A total of 220 patients with osteoporosis were enrolled and filled the clinical questionnaire. All 8 experts completed and returned the questionnaire (1 760 cases), and 1 545 of them were filled in completely. Experts' opinion on syndrome differentiation was exactly coincidence to estimate model in 611 cases and almost coincidence in 639 cases. The total coincidence rate reached to 94.05%. CONCLUSION: The estimate model for syndrome differentiation of osteoporosis has a high-coincidence rate with the fuzzy evaluation from experts, with good rationality and feasibility, and is worthy of promotion in the clinical study.

Exogenous treatment with salicylic acid attenuates occurrence of citrus canker in susceptible navel orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck).

Citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xac) is a devastating bacterial disease threatening the citrus industry. Salicylic acid (SA) plays a key role in plant defense response to biotic stress, but information is scarce concerning the application of SA to enhancing Xac resistance. In the present research attempts were made to investigate how exogenous application of SA influenced canker disease outbreak in navel orange (Citrus sinensis). Exogenously applied SA at 0.25 mM significantly enhanced the endogenous free and bound SA, particularly the latter. Upon exposure to Xac, lower disease incidence rate and smaller lesion sites were observed in the samples pre-treated with SA, accompanied by repression of bacterial growth at the lesion sites. Concurrent with the augmented disease resistance, SA-treated leaves had higher H2O2 level and smaller stomata apertures before or after Xac infection when compared with their counterparts pre-treated with water (control). SA treatment elevated the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and ß-1,3-glucanase, but only the latter was higher in the SA-treated samples after Xac infection. In addition, mRNA levels of two pathogenesis-related genes, CsCHI and CsPR4A, were higher in the SA-treated samples relative to the control. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that the exogenously applied SA has evoked a cascade of physiological and molecular events that function singly or in concert to confer resistance to Xac invasion.

[Spermicidal effect of alcohol extracts from different ratios of Sophora flavescens Ait/Chinese Bulbul in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the spermicidal effect of alcohol extracts from different ratios of Sophora flavescens Ait/Chinese Bulbul in vitro. METHODS: Semen samples aseptically obtained by masturbation and prepared by density gradient centrifugation from 15 healthy men were incubated in the alcohol extracts from 9 different ratios of Sophora flavescens Ait/Chinese Bulbul for 20 seconds, 2 minutes and 4 minutes. Then the motility and movement parameters of the sperm were detected by computer-assisted semen analysis, and the minimal effective concentrations of the instant spermicidal effect of the extracts were determined. RESULTS: At the ratio of 3:1, the extract at 0.5 mg/ml significantly inhibited the sperm motility and other sperm movement parameters VCL, VSL, VAP, ALH, WOB and MAD, as compared with the control group. The minimal effective concentration of the instant spermicidal effect of the extracts was 3.5 mg/ml at 3:1. CONCLUSION: The alcohol extracts from Sophora flavescens Ait and Chinese Bulbul at the ratio of 3:1 have the best spermicidal effect in vitro.

[A study of diagnostic criteria for traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in osteoporosis].

OBJECTIVE: To establish diagnostic criteria for common traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in osteoporosis. METHODS: Based on the collection and analysis of related medical literature, clinical investigation, and expert discussion, a draft of preliminary diagnostic criteria for the basic syndromes of TCM in patients with osteoporosis was formulated. Then it was used in clinic for verification and revised repeatedly until a formal version of diagnostic criteria was satisfactorily achieved. RESULTS: The basic syndromes listed in the diagnostic criteria for patients with osteoporosis consisted of two parts: qualitative diagnosis and localization diagnosis. Results of qualitative diagnosis showed that the qualitative syndromes included damage of essence, deficiency of vital energy, deficiency of yin, deficiency of yang and blood stasis. The localization diagnosis showed that location of osteoporosis is bone and corresponds to the kidney, and also involves liver, lung, spleen (stomach) and heart. The diagnostic content has established the specific symptoms and the non-specific symptoms during various stages. Each of the above syndromes could be diagnosed according to a specific combination of its corresponding symptoms or signs. The clinical verification results showed that the total matching ratio of qualitative diagnosis was 80.56% between the diagnoses made according to the criteria and the diagnoses acquired from the experts' experience, and the total matching ratio of localization diagnosis was 85.56%. CONCLUSION: The TCM syndrome diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis is generally consistent with TCM clinical practice, worthy of further popularization and application in clinical practice.

Effect of silencing VDR gene in kidney on renal epithelial calcium transporter proteins and urinary calcium excretion in genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming rats.

OBJECTIVE: To address the molecular mechanisms that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the kidney might contribute to decreased renal calcium reabsorption in idiopathic hypercalciuria using genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming (GHS) rats. METHODS: We silenced the VDR gene in the GHS and normal control (NC) rat kidney in vivo using adenovirus vector-delivered microRNA targeting VDR through renal venous transduction. On days 3-21 after injection with adenovirus, the expression levels of the VDR, calcium-sensing receptor, and epithelial calcium transporters in the kidney were detected. The urine calcium and serum calcium, phosphorus, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), and parathyroid hormone levels were measured. RESULTS: The basal expression levels in the kidney tissues of VDR, calbindin-D(28k), and calcium-sensing receptor were significantly greater in the GHS rats than in the NC rats, and the basal expression levels of transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor subtype 5, transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor subtype 6, calbindin-D(9k), and plasma membrane calcium-adenosine triphosphatase were significantly lower in the GHS rats than in the NC rats. VDR knockdown in the kidney caused significant increase in renal transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor subtype 5, sodium/calcium exchanger, and calbindin-D(9k) expression levels in the GHS rats. The GHS rats excreted significantly more urine calcium after VDR knockdown. The serum calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) levels were not altered during the study period in the GHS and NC rats. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that VDR knockdown in the kidney can upregulate the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor subtype 5 in GHS rats. However, VDR depletion results in an increase in urine calcium excretion. The role of VDR in the hypercalciuric formation needs to be elucidated further.

Type II radical hysterectomy and adjuvant therapy for pelvic lymph node metastasis with stage IB-IIB cervical carcinoma: a retrospective study of 288 patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate type II radical hysterectomy with or without adjuvant therapy as a treatment for patients with pelvic lymph node metastasis (PLNM) and stage IB-IIB cervical carcinoma. METHODS: A total of 288 patients with stage IB-IIB cervical carcinoma and confirmed PLNM who underwent a type II radical hysterectomy between 1995 and 2005 were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate for this cohort was 65.6%, and independent prognostic factors identified for PLNM patients included a non-squamous cell histological subtype and parametrial involvement. Survival differences between patients that received or did not receive adjuvant treatment were also evaluated, and the 5-year OS and DFS rates for patients who did not receive adjuvant therapy (47 and 41.4%, respectively) were much lower than the rates for patients who did receive adjuvant therapies (67.7 and 59.4%, respectively). However, these differences were not statistically significant (OS, P = 0.057; DFS, P = 0.080). CONCLUSIONS: Type II radical hysterectomy, in combination with adjuvant therapies, is an efficient treatment for PLNM patients with stage IB-IIB cervical cancer.

[Red clover isoflavones inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia stromal cells].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of red clover isoflavones on the proliferation and apoptosis of human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) stromal cells. METHODS: We treated human prostate stromal cells with red clover isoflavones at the concentration of 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 microg/ml, and established a PBS blank control, a dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) negative control and four finasteride positive control groups (at the concentration of 12.5, 25.0, 50.0 and 100.0 microg/ml). We determined the effects of different concentrations of red clover isoflavones on the proliferation of the cells by MTT assay and on their apoptosis by Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometry. RESULTS: Red clover isoflavones inhibited the proliferation of the BPH stromal cells by 18.86% at 25.0 microg/ml, compared with 5.17% in the blank control group (P < 0.05), and more obviously at a higher concentration. At 50.0 microg/ml, red clover isoflavones exhibited a weaker inhibitory effect than finasteride (28% vs 69.88% , P < 0.05). Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometry showed that red clover isoflavones at 25.0 microg/ml induced the apoptosis of the prostate stromal cells by (18.54 +/- 2.5)%, with significant differences from the negative control and blank control (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Red clover isoflavones can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of human BPH stromal cells.