[Comparison of efficacy and safety of transurethral thulium laser vapoenucleation of prostate and transurethral thulium laser enucleation of prostate in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia].

Objective: To compare early outcomes between transurethral thulium laser vapoenucleation of prostate and transurethral thulium laser enucleation of prostate for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 1 638 BPH patients admitted to the Department of Urology of Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2018 to December 2021. There were 916 patients underwent transurethral thulium laser vapoenucleation of prostate (ThuVEP group) and 722 patients underwent transurethral thulium laser enucleation of prostate (ThuLEP group). The operation time, eliminated tissue weight, surgical complications, duration of post-operative catheter implantation were compared between the two groups. The improvement of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life Index (QoL), maximum uroflow rate (Qmax) and post-void residual urine volume (PVR) at 1 month after operation was compared between the two groups. Results: There were no significant differences in age, preoperative and 1-month postoperative prostate volume, IPSS score, QoL score, Qmax, and PVR between the ThuVEP and ThuLEP group (all P>0.05). There were no significant differences in perioperative indicators such as operation time, cutting or enucleation time, tissue crushing time, tissue weight, hemoglobin change, catheter indwelling time, and postoperative hospital stay between ThuVEP group and ThuLEP group (all P>0.05). The incidence of minor gross hematuria after extubation in the ThuVEP group was 7.8% (56/916), which was lower than 9.4% (65/722) in the ThuLEP group (P=0.026); the incidence of temporary incontinence at 1 month after surgery was 5.2% (38/916) in ThuVEP group, lower than 11.9% (86/722) in ThuLEP group (P<0.001). A total of 3 patients (0.4%) in ThuLEP group required operative intervention for severe post-operation bleeding, but none of ThuVEP group suffered from this kind of surgical complications. Conclusions: ThuVEP has similar efficacy with ThuLEP for the treatment of BPH. ThuVEP can significantly reduce the incidence of post-operation temporary urine incontinence, and has much superiority in stanching bleeding.

[The Ophthalmology-centered medical industry in Suzhou in the Ming and the Qing Dynasties - from the Painting Album of Cityscapes and Business].

The Painting Album of Cityscapes and Business was finished in the early Qing Dynasty with realism. This painting album described the prosperity in business and everyday life in Suzhou during the late Ming and the early Qing Dynasties. They were drawn and painted retrospectively, ie, the content of the pictures was based on existing paintings handed down. In the painting album, more than ten medical-related elements were specifically depicted, such as traditional Chinese medicine clinics and pharmacies and seven ophthalmology-related elements including one clinic specialized in ophthalmology, two spectacle shops, two people wearing eyeglasses and three blind people. Up to now, no specialized ophthalmology clinics and spectacle shops have been found in earlier literature and paintings. It can be speculated that the Painting Album of Cityscapes and Business is the earliest album of paintings depicting clinics specialized in ophthalmology and spectacle shops in China. This painting album provides important information for the study of the medical industry in Suzhou in the late Ming and the early Qing Dynasties, particularly, in terms of ophthalmology-related diagnosis and treatment.

Significant improvement of intestinal microbiota of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) after traditional Chinese medicine feeding.

AIMS: Increasing attention has been attracted to intestinal microbiota, due to interactions with nutrition, metabolism and immune defence of the host. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) feed additives have been applied in aquaculture to improve fish health, but the interaction with fish gut microbiota is still poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the effect of adding TCM in feed on the intestinal microbiota of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacterial communities of 16 fish intestinal contents and one water sample were characterized by high-throughput sequencing and analysis of the V4-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that the composition and structure of the bacterial community were significantly altered by the TCM feeding. Some phyla increased markedly (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, etc.), while Fusobacteria were significantly reduced. Concurrently, the richness and diversity of the taxonomic units increased, and the microbiota composition of TCM-treated fish was more homogeneous among individuals. At the genus level, the addition of TCM tended to reduce the incidence of potential pathogens (Aeromonas, Acinetobacter and Shewanella), while stimulating the emergence of some potential probiotics (Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Bacillus and Pseudomonas). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggested that the feed additive could regulate the fish intestinal microbiota by reinforcing the microbial balance. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study may provide useful information for further application of TCM for diseases prevention and stress management in aquaculture.

Analysis of specialized nursing on respiratory functions in thoracotomy patients.

To analyze the nursing effect on the respiratory function of thoracotomy patients, sixty thoracotomy hospitalized patients were studied. The subjects were divided into a normal group (A) and an observation group (B). The patients in group A received routine nursing only, while those in group B received chest physiotherapy as well as routine nursing. Afterwards, the respiratory function indicators of the two groups were compared and a data analysis was performed. The results showed that the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) value of the patients in group B was greater than that of the patients in group A while the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) value in group B was smaller than that in group A, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (p less than 0.05). The vital capacity under normal circumstances and forced breathing of group B were greater than that of group A and the difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.05). The incidence of complications (atelectasis, respiratory infections, pleural effusion) was statistically significant between the two groups (p less than 0.05). The degree of autonomic respiratory dysfunction in group B was lower than that in group A, and there was a significant difference (p less than 0.05), suggesting that the respiratory function in patients receiving chest physiotherapy improved significantly.

[Professor B. Jigmed's conception on the division of stages of history of Mongolian medicine].

The division of stages on the formation and development of Mongolian medicine is a major issue on the history of Mongolian medicine. Based on Mongolian social, economic and cultural development and the characteristics of Mongolian medicine itself, Professor B. Jigmed creatively puts forward the three stages of development of ancient and modern times of Mongolian medicine. He also reasonably sorts out historical materials to comprehensively and systematically display the general picture of its development. This approach exerts great effect on restructuring the body of Mongolian medicine itself, unveils its rule of development, and promotes its disciplinary construction.

Protective effect of the n-butanol Toona sinensis seed extract on diabetic nephropathy rat kidneys.

The objective of this study was to observe the protective effect of the n-butyl alcohol phase of Toona sinensis seed extract on the kidneys of diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats and its preliminary mechanism. Male wistar rats were administered a normal or high-fat diet for 1 month. DN rats were divided into a model group and a petroleum ether phase of T. sinensis seed extract intervention group. The intervention group was administered 5 mg·100 g-1·day-1 extract. After treatment for 10 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples and the renal cortex were collected. Biochemical indicators in the serum and renal indices were assessed. Pathological changes of the renal tissues were also determined. Changes in the renal structure and protein levels were detected. Compared with the normal group, the blood glucose, urinary albumin, renal index, and oxidative stress index were sharply increased in the model group. The protein levels of TGF-b1, collagen IV, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were increased. Compared with the model group, the n-butyl alcohol phase of T. sinensis seed extract significantly reduced the blood glucose, urinary albumin, renal index, oxidative stress index, serum creatinine, and urea nitrogen levels. The renal pathology abnormality was improved in DN rats. The protein levels of TGF-b1, collagen IV, and CTGF were increased. The expression of TGF-b1, collagen IV, and CTGF decreased. In conclusion, the n-butyl alcohol phase of T. sinensis seed extract has protective effects on DN rats via the inhibition of oxidative stress and protein expression of TGF-b1, collagen IV, and CTGF.

Polymorphisms of CASR gene increase the risk of primary hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate correlations between polymorphisms of calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene [A986S (rs1081725), R990G (rs1042636) and Q1011E (rs1801726)] and the risk of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) among human population. METHODS: Relevant studies were retrieved from online databases using computer-based search strategies, which were then supplemented by manual search strategies. Case-control studies related to our topic were identified based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Comprehensive Meta-analysis 2.0 (Biostat Inc., Englewood, NJ, USA). RESULTS: We retrieved 202 studies from online databases and other sources initially and eventually enrolled six studies into our meta-analysis. These six studies contained a sum of 693 PHPT patients and 1252 healthy controls. Our meta-analysis results showed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CASR gene A986S (rs1081725) and R990G (rs1042636), but not Q1011E (rs1801726), may increase the risk of PHPT [A986S (rs1081725): allele model: P = 0.013; dominant model: P = 0.044; R990G (rs1042636): allele model: P = 0.023; dominant model: P = 0.026)]. Subgroup analyses based on ethnicity showed that among Asians, A986S (rs1081725) increased the PHPT risk (P = 0.04) under the allele model, but not under the dominant model. Among Caucasians, there was no association between gene frequencies and PHPT under both the allele and dominant model. In Asians, no significant association was observed between R990G (rs1042636) and PHPT risk, but in Caucasians, R990G (rs1042636) significantly increased the incidence of PHPT [R990G (rs1042636): allele model: P = 0.015; dominant model: P = 0.009)]. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that SNPs of CASR gene A986S (rs1081725) and R990G (rs1042636) may increase the risk of PHPT, and the polymorphisms can potentially be used as important biological markers for early diagnosis of PHPT.

Comparative study between Ephedra sinica Stapf and Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis on ET-1 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α in rats with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in the effects of Ephedra sinica Stapf and Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis on angiogenesis in the treatment of bleomycin-induced rat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The rat models were created using bleomycin. The animals were divided into six groups: model, control, Ephedra alone, Schisandrae alone, combination of Ephedra and Schisandrae, and hydrocortisone alone. The treatments were administered for 28 days. After 7 and 28 days, the rats were sacrificed for pathological morphology examination, microvascular density determination, and angiogenesis-related cytokine examination. The Ephedra and hydrocortisone groups demonstrated significantly reduced alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis grades compared with the model group (P < 0.05). The number of blood vessels in the Ephedra group was higher than that in the Schisandrae and combination therapy groups. At 7 days, the expression level of endothelin (ET)-1 in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P < 0.01). The level of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) in the treatment group increased, and there were significant differences between the Ephedra group and the combination therapy and normal groups (P < 0.05). Ephedra inhibited the increase in the lung coefficient. The combination therapy prevented pulmonary artery injury and angiogenesis of the arteries by reducing the level of ET-1 and promoting the level of 6-keto-PGF1α in the blood. Ephedra and Schisandrae prevented alveolitis and the development of pulmonary fibrosis.

Chemical composition and antioxidant, antimicrobial activities of the essential oils of Thymus marschallianus Will. and Thymus proximus Serg.

UNLABELLED: Chemical composition and antioxidant, antimicrobial activities of the essential oils from Thymus marschallianus Will. and Thymus proximus Serg. growing in the wild in Xinjiang were studied. Samples were collected from the aerial parts of the plants with simultaneous distillation-extraction apparatus. The yields ranged between 1.22%+/- 0.01 and 0.16%+/- 0.01 (weight/dry weight), respectively, 53 and 60 kinds of volatiles, representing 99.6% and 99.7% of the essential oils, respectively, were identified in extracts from T. marschallianus and T. proximus by GC/MS analysis. The main components were Thymol (28.0% to 32.9%), p-Cymene (7.7% to 25.4%), and gamma-Terpinene (18.0% to 22.4%). Antioxidant activities of the oils were evaluated using metal chelating, reductive potential, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl radical, and modified thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay. Antimicrobial activities of the oils were investigated on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, yeast, Rhizopus, and Penicillium. The inhibition zones (IZ) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were 5.0 to 35.7 mm in diameter and 1.81 to 4.52 microL/mL, respectively. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Due to the economical impacts of spoiled foods and the consumer's concerns over the safety of foods, a lot of attention has been paid to naturally derived compounds. Fresh and dried Thymus species as well as their processed products have been widely used as flavorings since ancient times; however, during the last few decades, they also have become a subject for a search of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. Biological activities of Thymus essential oils depend on their chemical composition, which is determined by the genotype and influenced by environmental conditions. Recent studies have showed that Thymus species have strong antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. To the best of our knowledge, the properties of Thymus species growing wild in the Xinjiang have not been reported before.

[Effect of tripterygium polyglucoside on T-lymphocyte subsets and serum interleukin-5 level in asthma patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Tripterygium polyglucoside (TII) in treating asthma patients. METHODS: Thirty asthma patients of middle or sever leoel were selected and randomly divided into three groups, Group A treated with TII, Group B treated with prednisone and Group C, the control group. Their peripheral CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes were counted by flow cytometer and serum interleukin-5 (IL-5) level determined by ELISA before and after 4 weeks' treatment. RESULTS: In Group A, after treatment, CD4+ T-lymphocytes reduced from 0.462 +/- 0.035 to 0.426 +/- 0.039 (P < 0.01), CD8+ increased from 0.201 +/- 0.045 to 0.253 +/- 0.043 (P < 0.01), and serum IL-5 median concentration reduced from 65.3 ng/L to 10.9 ng/L (P < 0.01). Similar results was revealed in Group B, while there was insignificant change of the parameters in Group C. The serum concentration of IL-5 was positively correlated with the peripheral CD4+ count (r = 0.61, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: TII is highly effective in treating asthma through regulating T-lymphocyte subset disorder and inhibiting production of IL-5.

Differential gene expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common cancer among southern Chinese. The profile of gene expression in NPC cells is largely unknown. In this study, we have examined differential gene expression in non-malignant and malignant nasopharyngeal epithelial (NPE) cells using a cDNA array hybridization method. A total of 42 genes were identified to be expressed in either non-malignant and malignant NPE cells or both. Thirteen of these genes were overexpressed in malignant NPE cells. These includes nuclear factor (NF90), FOS-related antigen 1 (FRA- 1), cytoplasmic dynein light chain (HDLC1), replication factor C (RFC1), nucleoside diphosphate kinase B, UV excision repair protein (RAD23A), insulin-like growth factor receptor II, transcription initiation factor TFIID subunit (TAFII31), growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2), UV excision repair protein (RAD23B), glutathione peroxidase, Y box binding protein 1 and heat shock protein 86. In contrast, expression of nine genes was suppressed in malignant NPE cells. These includes calgranulin A, calgranulin B, neutrophil activating protein (ENA-78), heat shock protein 27, integrin beta-1, integrin beta-4, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21), interleukin-8 and tyrosine protein kinase receptor (RET). Differential expression of calgranulin A, calgraunlin B, ENA-78, FRA-1 and NF90 in non-malignant and malignant nasopharyngeal epithelial cells was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis.

Interaction of flavones from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis with the benzodiazepine site.

A radioreceptor binding assay was used to guide the isolation of four chemical constituents in the organic solvent extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi capable of binding to the benzodiazepine site (BZD-S) of the GABAA receptor: wogonin (Ki = 2.03 +/- 0.24 microM), baicalin (Ki = 77.10 +/- 4.79 microM), baicalein (Ki = 5.69 +/- 0.95 microM), and scutellarein (Ki = 12.00 +/- 1.27 microM). All four compounds contain the flavonoid phenylbenzopyrone nucleus. Based on BZD-S binding, the order of affinity among these four compounds was wogonin > baicalein > scutellarein > baicalin.

[Advances in the study on effect of traditional Chinese medicine on gene expression].

OBJECTIVE: To review the progresses in the study on the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on gene expression. METHOD: Consulting more than 20 domestic relevant documents of recent years and summarizing several representative kinds of TCM. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The curative effect of TCM has something to do with its bioactive composition that promotes the regulation of gene expression; and the continued study on this mechanism of regulation may contribute to the modernization of TCM theory.

[Investigation on antibacterial activity of Forsythia suspense Vahl in vitro with Mueller-Hinton agar].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of Forsythia suspensa in vitro with different media. METHOD: MIC determination of Forsythia suspensa against Staphylococci was performed by the agar dilution method. RESULT: MIC90 of decoction of Forsythia suspensa against Staphylococcus epidermidis in M-H agar was 1:640, but in nutrient agar 1:40, the antibacterial activity with M-H agar being 16 fold higher than nutrient agar. CONCLUSION: The M-H agar should be recommended to replace nutrient agar as medium in the antibacterial experiment of Traditional Chinese medicine, and it is better to use multipoint inoculating device in the sensitivity test.

Dose findings of dihydroartemisinin in treatment of falciparum malaria.

Forty patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were respectively treated in an open randomized comparative study of dihydroartemisinin tablets given at total doses of 480 mg over 5 days and 640 mg over 7 days in a drug-resistant malaria endemic area in Hainan, China. The result showed that all patients were clinically cured. In 5-day and 7-day groups, the mean fever clearance times (FCT) were 26.1+/-10.2 and 21.1+/-11.8 hours respectively; the mean parasite clearance times (PCT) were 58.7+/-20.9 and 59.4+/-20.9 hours respectively, which showed no significant difference. 28-day follow-ups were accomplished on 39 and 37 cases respectively in two groups, the recrudescence rates were 20.5% (8/39) in 5-day group, while 2.7% (1/37) in 7-day group with significant difference (chi2=4.19, p<0.05). No clinical drug-related side effect was found in two groups during treatment.

Cocaine administration in pregnant rabbits alters cortical structure and function in their progeny in the absence of maternal seizures.

Previous studies have reported that cocaine exposure in utero results in structural and functional alterations in the development of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). In the present study, the effects of maternal cocaine dosage and of cocaine-elicited maternal seizures on the progeny were studied. The incidence of maternal generalized tonic clonic seizures (GTCSs) elicited by cocaine was recorded. No GTCSs were elicited in pregnant rabbits by doses of 2 or 3 mg/kg of cocaine, but GTCSs were sometimes elicited by the highest dose (4 mg/kg per injection). We analyzed the offspring of cocaine-exposed and control animals using three assays of ACC development: (i) the structure of apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons, (ii) the distribution of a calcium binding protein (parvalbumin) in the dendrites of GABAergic neurons, and (iii) coupling of D1-like receptors and their G proteins. In all progeny of rabbits exposed to 3 or 4 mg/kg of cocaine during pregnancy, there was a significant change in the structure of apical dendrites, a significant increase in the number of dendrites of GABAergic neurons which were parvalbumin immunoreactive, and a significant reduction in D1/G protein coupling. In assays of apical dendrites, the effects on offspring of rabbits given 2 mg/kg cocaine were as pronounced as in offspring of rabbits given 3 or 4 mg/kg, but the effects on parvalbumin immunoreactivity and D1/G protein coupling were reduced at this low dose. Thus, previous findings of ACC developmental abnormalities in offspring of rabbits given a dose of 4 mg/kg were replicated, the effects were shown to be dose-related and to be independent of maternal seizures. A mechanism by which dysfunction of the D1 receptor system could mediate cocaine-associated changes in all three parameters of ACC structure and function is discussed.

[A study on pulmonary artery compliance and hemodynamics in patients with lung-distention].

A simultaneously comparative study on pulmonary artery compliance (Cpa) and pulmonary artery mean pressure (PAMP) in 89 patients with Lung-Distention in TCM by impedance pulmonary rheogram, tricuspid valve echocardiogram and right heart catheterization. Then according to Syndrome Differentiation of TCM, Lung-Distention was sub-divided into four groups. The results showed that PAMP were gradually increased and Cpa decreased in these groups. It revealed that the pulmonary circulation of Lung-Distention patients has disturbed.

Clinical trials of artemisinin and its derivatives in the treatment of malaria in China.

Since 1979 several derivatives of artemisinin have been synthesized and studied in China. Artemisinin suppositories, artesunate (oral or parenteral), intramuscular artemether and dihydroartemisinin tablets have all proved rapidly effective. In all, 2352 patients (2150 with Plasmodium falciparum and 202 with P. vivax) have been included in clinical trials from our centre. All preparations have been well tolerated. These drugs have now replaced chloroquine and quinine for the treatment of malaria in China.

Gastric DNA-binding proteins recognize upstream sequence motifs of parietal cell-specific genes.

Polymerase chain reaction amplification of cDNA from pig gastric mucosa demonstrated the presence of zinc-finger proteins called GATA-GT1, GATA-GT2, and GATA-GT3, each having zinc-finger sequences similar to previously characterized GATA-binding proteins. Subsequently, full-length cDNAs of GATA-GT1 and GATA-GT2 were obtained from rat stomach. The zinc-finger domains of GATA-GT1 and -GT2 were 66-86% identical on the amino acid level with each other and with other GATA-binding proteins. Potential protein kinase phosphorylation sites were present in the zinc-finger region. In contrast, regions outside the zinc fingers shared significantly lower similarities. GATA-GT2 was found to bind to the upstream sequence of the H+/K(+)-ATPase beta gene and to a sequence containing the GATA motif. GATA-GT1 and -GT2 were expressed predominantly in the gastric mucosa and at much lower levels in the intestine (GATA-GT2, also in testis), their tissue distributions being distinct from those of GATA-1, -2, or -3. These results clearly suggest that GATA-GT1 and GATA-GT2 are involved in gene regulation specifically in the gastric epithelium and represent two additional members of the GATA-binding protein family.