The effects of phytosterol and phytostanol supplementation on the lipid profile in postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Various studies have proven that phytosterols and phytostanols (PS) are lipid-lowering agents. These compounds play a role in regulating high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) metabolism. Although various drugs are available and are currently used to treat dyslipidemia, the management of lipid abnormalities during the postmenopausal period remains a challenge. Thus, scientists are trying to develop new strategies to reduce serum lipids concentrations using natural products. However, the impact of PS administration on serum lipids in postmenopausal women remains unclear. Hence, the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of PS supplementation on the lipid profile in postmenopausal women based on a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were searched to identify suitable papers published until January 18, 2022. We combined the effect sizes with the DerSimonian and Laird method using a random effects model. PS supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in TC (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -16.73 mg/dl) and LDL-C (WMD: -10.06 mg/dl) levels. No effect of PS supplementation on TG (WMD: -1.14 mg/dl) or HDL-C (WMD: -0.29 mg/dl) concentrations was detected. In the stratified analysis, there was a notable reduction in TC and LDL-C levels when the PS dose was ≥2 g/day (TC: -22.22 mg/dl and LDL-C: -10.14 mg/dl) and when PS were administered to participants with a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 (TC: -20.22 mg/dl and LDL-C: -14.85 mg/dl). PS administration can decrease TC and LDL-C, particularly if the dose of administration is ≥2 g/day and if the participants are overweight or obese. Further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of PS usage in postmenopausal females.

Prognostic significance of regional lymphadenectomy in T1b gallbladder cancer: Results from 24 hospitals in China.

BACKGROUND: Whether regional lymphadenectomy (RL) should be routinely performed in patients with T1b gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains a subject of debate. AIM: To investigate whether RL can improve the prognosis of patients with T1b GBC. METHODS: We studied a multicenter cohort of patients with T1b GBC who underwent surgery between 2008 and 2016 at 24 hospitals in 13 provinces in China. The log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model were used to compare the overall survival (OS) of patients who underwent cholecystectomy (Ch) + RL and those who underwent Ch only. To investigate whether combined hepatectomy (Hep) improved OS in T1b patients, we studied patients who underwent Ch + RL to compare the OS of patients who underwent combined Hep and patients who did not. RESULTS: Of the 121 patients (aged 61.9 ± 10.1 years), 77 (63.6%) underwent Ch + RL, and 44 (36.4%) underwent Ch only. Seven (9.1%) patients in the Ch + RL group had lymph node metastasis. The 5-year OS rate was significantly higher in the Ch + RL group than in the Ch group (76.3% vs 56.8%, P = 0.036). Multivariate analysis showed that Ch + RL was significantly associated with improved OS (hazard ratio: 0.51; 95% confidence interval: 0.26-0.99). Among the 77 patients who underwent Ch + RL, no survival improvement was found in patients who underwent combined Hep (5-year OS rate: 79.5% for combined Hep and 76.1% for no Hep; P = 0.50). CONCLUSION: T1b GBC patients who underwent Ch + RL had a better prognosis than those who underwent Ch. Hep + Ch showed no improvement in prognosis in T1b GBC patients. Although recommended by both the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and Chinese Medical Association guidelines, RL was only performed in 63.6% of T1b GBC patients. Routine Ch + RL should be advised in T1b GBC.

Autologous Blood Transfusion and Pringle Maneuver in Laparoscopic Segmental Hepatectomy for Benign Hepatic Neoplasms: A Retrospective Study.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of autologous blood transfusion (ABT) and Pringle maneuver (PM) on postoperative early liver function and short-term postoperative results following laparoscopic liver resection in patients with benign hepatic neoplasms. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data for 125 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic segmental hepatectomy from January 2015 to May 2018 (68 in the ABT group versus 57 in the PM group). We compared patients' characteristics and intra- and postoperative short-term outcomes between the groups. Results: The 2 groups were well matched regarding patients' clinical characteristics, types of liver resection, operative time, and histopathological findings (P > .05). Median blood loss was significantly lower in the PM group versus the ABT group (200 mL versus 750 mL, respectively; P < .01), and overall complication rates were similar (n = 12 [17%] versus n = 9 [16%], respectively; P > .05). The ABT group had significantly lower mean levels of total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, and alanine aminotransferase on postoperative days 1 and 3 (P < .05). The ABT group had a shorter hospital stay compared with the PM group (5.8 days versus 7.7 days, respectively; P < .05) and lower hospitalization costs (55,400 ± 15,400 versus 667,000 ± 21,600 CN dollars, respectively; P < .05). Conclusions: Compared with Pringle's maneuver, laparoscopic hepatectomy with ABT promoted early recovery of liver function and reduced hospitalization costs in select patients with benign hepatic neoplasms.

Sanjin tablets for acute uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection (syndrome of dampness-heat in the lower jiao): protocol for randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel control of positive drug, multicenter clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections. Patients usually present with dysuria, urinary urgency, urinary frequency, and suprapubic pain or tenderness. Approximately 150 million people are diagnosed with UTI each year worldwide. The high recurrence rate of lower UTI is a common problem of clinical treatment. The misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of a number of resistant bacterial strains. Thus, traditional Chinese medicine is considered as an alternative option for treating acute uncomplicated lower UTI. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Sanjin tablets (SJT) for the treatment of acute uncomplicated lower UTI, explore whether SJT can reduce or substitute the use of antibiotics, and reduce the recurrence rate in the treatment of acute uncomplicated lower UTI. METHODS/DESIGN: In this study, a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel control of positive drug, multicenter clinical study will be established. A total of 252 patients with acute uncomplicated lower UTI (syndrome of dampness-heat in the lower jiao) will be randomly allocated in the ratio of 1:1:1 to three groups: experimental group; control group 1; and control group 2. The experimental group receives Sanjin tablets plus levofloxacin tablets (LT) placebo; the control group 1 receives LT plus SJT placebo; and the control group 2 receives SJT plus LT on the first five days, SJT plus LT placebo on the last two days. Each group will be treated for seven days and followed-up 1-2 times. The primary outcome measures of effective rate and recurrence rate are symptoms. Secondary outcome measures of effective rate and recurrence rate are the urine leukocytes, bacteriology examination, and safety assessment. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after treatment. DISCUSSION: This study protocol will provide the research data of efficacy and safety of SJT for the treatment of acute uncomplicated lower UTI. The first aim is to determine whether Sanjin tablets can reduce the use of antibiotics; the second aim is to determine whether Sanjin tablets can substitute the use of antibiotics. The recurrence rate will be assessed after cured to determine whether SJT can reduce the recurrence rate. The results of this study will improve the rational use of drugs, especially the rational application of antibiotics. It will also enable safety evaluation from laboratory indices and adverse events, which will provide reliable evidence for clinical treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03658291 . Registered on 4 September 2018.

Exploration on Clinical Moxibustion Therapy of Chengjiang School Descendant QI Yongji / 浙江中医药大学学报

[Objective]To explore features of moxibustion therapy based on data mining through recorded cases during 1987-1991 by QI Yongji. [Methods] With modern computer technology, applying Epidata 3.1 to screen, record, collect and analyse cases of moxibustion therapy, exporting DTA-format, using Stata software to analyse and explore clinical applying features. [Results] A total of 1514 cases were recorded, including 468 cases of moxa-cone moxibustion, 493 cases of moxa-stick moxibustion. Moxa-cone moxibustion involves 45 points, the top five are A-shi point, ST36, GB34, EX-LE4, LI11; Moxa-stick moxibustion involves 66 points, the top five are A-shi point, EX-LE4, BL43, SI13, BL67. QI Yongji used moxibustion to treat 24 kinds of diseases, including medical, gynecological, orthopedic diseases. [Conclusion] To sum up treatment of diseases based on data mining 4 of which he was good at, consisting of omalgia, elbow strain, Bi syndrome and lumbago Through the integration of his descendants and family in-depth interviews, to generalize three major experiences of the moxibustion therapy: attaching importance to palpation, moxibustion based on syndrome differentiation, flexible use of moxibustion.

[Staging Based Strategies and Practice for Prostate Cancer].

Authors raised that staging based strategies and practice of integrative medicine (IM) by combining syndrome typing and disease identification, and choosing suitable measures in accordance with different persons and seasonal conditions after more than ten years' clinical practice and researches. Radical operation as prior (as evil eliminating) and strengthening vital qi in perioerative period are best strategy for promoting rapid rehabilitation of early stage prostate cancer patients. Strengthening body resistance to eliminate evil was used in treating advanced prostate cancer patients. For example, a comprehensive treatment program for hormone-dependent patients was combined with endocrinotherapy and Chinese herbs for synergisic efficacy-enhancing actions. In this way, these patients' quality of life (QOL) were improved and time to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) was delayed, even some patients were clinically cured. There are lack of effective medicines and methods for CRPC patients. Greatly tonifying original qi is mainly used for improving their clinical symptoms and prolonging survivals. Practice has proved staging based strategies and practice of IM has favorable advantages in treating prostate cancer, especially showing prospect in prolonging survival and postponing progression of advanced prostate cancer patients. Besides, it also could provide beneficial considerations and inspiration for combination of syndrome typing and disease identification.

[Response of Inflow Water Quality to Land Use Pattern in Northern Watershed of Lake Erhai].

The inherent relationship between land use pattern and inflow water quality is essential for nonpoint source pollution study. Response of inflow river quality to land use pattern in Northern part of Lake Erhai Watershed was analyzed in aspects of land use composition and configuration using spatial analysis and statistical analysis methods. The results indicated that as land use composition indexes, average slope and vegetation area percentage had significant relationship with TN and TP of inflow rivers. As land use configuration indexes, patch density, patch density of agriculture land and landscape shape index of water had significant relationship with TP and NH4+-N of inflow rivers. Response of inflow river quality to land use pattern was better at class level than at landscape level. Water quality response indicators were TP in rainy season and NH4+-N in dry season, of which regression adjustment coefficient R2 was 0.761 and 0.978, respectively. Response of inflow river quality to land use pattern was better in dry season than in rainy season, and the water quality response indicators were TN, TP and NH4+-N. Improving vegetation coverage and agriculture land intensive degree and avoiding human disturb to natural water area especially in dry season were suggested in nonpoint source pollution control of northern watershed of Lake Erhai Watershed. Later research on relationship between land use configuration and inflow river quality should better be at class level.

[Kidney-tonifying Chinese medicine for male infertility: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials].

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of male infertility. METHODS: Based on the principles and methods of Cochrane systematic reviews, we searched CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases from inception to December 2012 for randomized controlled clinical trials addressing the treatment of male infertility with kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and retrieval strategies, we extracted the data, evaluated the quality of the included literature, and conducted meta-analysis using the RevMan 5. 2 software. RESULTS: Twenty trials involving 2,272 patients were included, and the sample size of each study was from 60 to 270 cases. All the studies were graded as of poor quality, with Jadad scores of no more than 3 points. The results of meta-analysis showed that the total effectiveness rate of traditional Chinese medicine versus Western medicine on male infertility was RR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.19-2.47, and that of Chinese-Western combined therapy versus Western medicine was RR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.01-1.30. Both traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese-Western combined therapy showed a significantly better total effectiveness than Western medicine alone in improving the pregnancy rate without serious adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Due to the poor methodological quality and high heterogeneity of the included studies, the evidence for the efficacy and safety of kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese drugs in the treatment of male infertility is of but limited value, and further validation is needed by more high-quality studies.

Baicalein inhibits progression of gallbladder cancer cells by downregulating ZFX.

Baicalein, a widely used Chinese herbal medicine, has multiple pharmacological activities. However, the precise mechanisms of the anti-proliferation and anti-metastatic effects of baicalein on gallbladder cancer (GBC) remain poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the anti-proliferation and anti-metastatic effects of baicalein and the related mechanism(s) on GBC. In the present study, we found that treatment with baicalein induced a significant inhibitory effect on proliferation and promoted apoptosis in GBC-SD and SGC996 cells, two widely used gallbladder cancer cell lines. Additionally, treatment with baicalein inhibited the metastasis of GBC cells. Moreover, we demonstrated for the first time that baicalein inhibited GBC cell growth and metastasis via down-regulation of the expression level of Zinc finger protein X-linked (ZFX). In conclusion, our studies suggest that baicalein may be a potential phytochemical flavonoid for therapeutics of GBC and ZFX may serve as a molecular marker or predictive target for GBC.

[Relationship Between Agricultural Land and Water Quality of Inflow River in Erhai Lake Basin].

We studied the relationship between agricultural land and water quality of inflow river in Erhai Lake Basin, by means of spatial and statistical analysis, from the perspective of comprehensive agricultural land and the area percentage of different types of agricultural land. The obtained results indicated that inflow water quality showed a significant spatial difference, the inflow TP pollution in the western inflow rivers of Erhai Basin was serious. The major pollution indicators in the northern and southern inflow rivers (except for D3) were organic matter and nitrogen. The area percentage of agricultural land had a significantly indicative effect on the water quality of inflow river. The area percentage of comprehensive agricultural land negatively correlated with permanganate index, NH4(+) -N, TN and TP contents in wet season, the correlation coefficients were - 0.859, - 0.565, - 0.693, - 0.181. It negatively correlated with permanganate index and NH4(+) -N content in dry season, the correlation coefficients were - 0.384, - 0.328. It had positive relationships with and TN, TP content in dry season, the correlation coefficients were 0.221 and 0.146. The area percentage of different types of agricultural land had an obviously indicative effect on the inflow water quality. Farmland positively correlated with TN and TP contents both in wet and dry seasons. The correlation coefficients between farmland and TN, TP were 0.252, 0.581 in rainy season and were 0.149, 0.511 in dry season. It had positive and negative relationships with permanganate index, NH4(+) -N content in wet season and dry season, respectively. The correlation coefficients between farmland and permanganate index, NH4(+) -N were 0.388, 0.053 in rainy season and were -0.137, -0.147 in dry season. Forest land exhibited an opposite performance to that of farmland. The correlation coefficients between forest land and TN, TP, permanganate index, NH4(+) -N were - 0.526, - 0.275, - 0.469, -0.155 in rainy season and were -0.012, -0.100, 0.282, 0.151 in dry season. Fishpond had a weakly indicative effect on TN and TP contents. Meadowland and orchard had a similar performance with that of farmland in wet season, but were opposite to that of farmland in dry season. Therefore, management for farmland, meadowland and orchard in the north and south during wet season should be emphasized during the agricultural nonpoint source control in Erhai Lake Basin.

Study of effect of Humifuse Euphorbia Herb on alleviating insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic model KK-Ay mice / 中国中药杂志

[To explore the effect of Humifuse Euphorbia Herb ( HEH) on alleviating insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic KK-Ay mice. Totally 40 KK-Ay mice fed with high-fat diet were divided into four groups: the metformin group, the model group, the HEH low-dose group and the HEH high-dose group, and orally administrated with metformin hydrochloride (250 mg x kg(-1)), distilled water, humifuse euphorbia herb 1 g x kg(-1) and 2 g x kg(-1). Besides, C57BL/6J mice with ordinary feed were taken as the normal control group and orally administrated with equal distilled water. The oral administration for the five groups lasted for eight weeks. Before and after the experiment, weight, fasting glucose and insulin tolerance were determined. The morphological changes in pancreas were observed through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining on pancreatic tissue sections. The serum insulin, TNF-α, IL-6, adiponectin (ADPN) and leptin (LEP) were detected by ELISA. The results showed that HEH could reduce weight and fasting glucose in KK-Ay mice, alleviate hyperinsulinemia, reduce blood glucose-time AUC, increase 30-min blood glucose decline rate, relieve insulin resistance, significantly ameliorate the pathomorphological changes in pancreas in each group, decrease serum TNF-α, IL-6 and leptin levels in KK-Ay mice and rise serum ADPN level. This study proved that humifuse euphorbia herb can ameliorate the insulin resistance in KK-Ay mice, and its mechanism may be related to the effect on inflammatory factors and adipocytokines.

Ursolic acid induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of gallbladder carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Ursolic acid (UA), a plant extract used in traditional Chinese medicine, exhibits potential anticancer effects in various human cancer cell lines in vitro. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-tumoral properties of UA against gallbladder carcinoma and investigated the potential mechanisms responsible for its effects on proliferation, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro. METHODS: The anti-tumor activity of UA against GBC-SD and SGC-996 cells was assessed using MTT and colony formation assays. An annexin V/PI double-staining assay was used to detect cell apoptosis. Cell cycle changes were detected using flow cytometry. Rhodamine 123 staining was used to assess the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and validate UA's ability to induce apoptosis in both cell lines. The effectiveness of UA in gallbladder cancer was further verified in vivo by establishing a xenograft GBC model in nude mice. Finally, the expression levels of cell cycle- and apoptosis-related proteins were analyzed by western blotting. RESULTS: Our results suggest that UA can significantly inhibit the growth of gallbladder cancer cells. MTT and colony formation assays indicated dose-dependent decreases in cell proliferation. S-phase arrest was observed in both cell lines after treatment with UA. Annexin V/PI staining suggested that UA induced both early and late phases of apoptosis. UA also decreased ΔΨm and altered the expression of molecules regulating the cell cycle and apoptosis. In vivo study showed intraperitoneally injection of UA can significantly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumor in nude mice and the inhibition efficiency is dose related. Activation of caspase-3,-9 and PARP indicated that mitochondrial pathways may be involved in UA-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results suggest that UA exhibits significant anti-tumor effects by suppressing cell proliferation, promoting apoptosis and inducing 7cell cycle arrest both in vitro and in vivo. It may be a potential agent for treating gallbladder cancer.

Effects of oxymatrine on the apoptosis and proliferation of gallbladder cancer cells.

Gallbladder carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the biliary tract and is associated with a very poor outcome. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oxymatrine (OM) on gallbladder cancer cells and the possible mechanism of its effects. The effects of OM on the proliferation of gallbladder cancer cells (GBC-SD and SGC-996) were investigated using cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays. Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining was performed to investigate whether OM could induce apoptosis in gallbladder cancer cells. The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and expression of apoptosis-associated proteins were evaluated to identify a mechanism for the effects of OM. In addition, the RNA expression of relevant genes was measured by qRT-PCR using the SYBR Green method. Finally, a subcutaneous implantation model was used to verify the effects of OM on tumor growth in vivo. We found that OM inhibited the proliferation of gallbladder cancer cells. In addition, Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining showed that OM induced apoptosis after 48 h and the ΔΨm decreased in a dose-dependent manner after OM treatment. Moreover, the activation of caspase-3 and Bax and downregulation of Bcl-2 and nuclear factor κB were observed in OM-treated cells. Finally, OM potently inhibited in-vivo tumor growth following subcutaneous inoculation of SGC-996 cells in nude mice. In conclusion, OM treatment reduced proliferation and induced apoptosis in gallbladder cancer cells, which suggests that this drug may serve as a novel candidate for adjuvant treatment in patients with gallbladder cancer.

Clinical randomized controlled trials of acupoint catgut-embedding for simple obesity: a meta-analysis / 中国针灸

The clinical therapeutic effect of acupoint catgut-embedding for simple obesity was systemically analyzed to provide reference and assistance for its clinical treatment and research. By searching in the CBM, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Pubmed, Springer and Medline databases, clinical randomized controlled trials (RCT) of acupoint catgut-embedding for simple obesity published from Jan, 2009 to July, 2013 were collected while Revman 5. 2 software was applied to perform the Meta-analysis. Totally 19 articles were acquired with 1 658 cases involved. The effective rate was selected as primary outcome measure in 19 articles. The Meta-analysis was performed among homogeneous researches. The results indicated that compared with other therapies, pooled OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 2.45 with 95% CI [1.81, 3.32]; in the test for overall effect, Z = 5.81, implying the efficacy difference of two therapies was significant in the treatment of simple obesity (P < 0.01). In subgroups analysis, in the event of treatment session with more than 3 months, compared with other therapies, pooled OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 2.61 with 95% CI [1.53, 4.46]; in test for overall effect, Z = 3.51, implying the efficacy difference of two therapies was significant in the treatment of simple obesity (P < 0.01); in the event of treatment session with less than 3 months, compared with other therapies, pooled OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 2.38 with 95% CI [1.65, 3.44]; in test for overall effect, Z = 4.46, implying in the treatment of simple obesity the efficacy difference of two therapies was significant (P < 0.01). Compared with electroacupuncture, OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 1.79, 95% CI [1.08, 2.95] (P = 0.02). Compared with acupuncture, OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 1.89, 95% CI [1.16, 3.09] (P = 0.01), which explained that compared with electroacupuncture and acupuncture, the efficacy of acupoint catgut-embedding was significantly different. In a word, the clinical efficacy of acupoint catgut-embedding is superior to other therapies in the treatment of simple obesity.

Synthesis and protective effect of ligustrazine intermediates against CoCl2-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cell / 中国中药杂志

Ligustrazine, one of the major effective components of the Chinese traditional medicinal herb Ligusticum Chuanxiong Hort, has been reported plenty of biological activities, such as protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, neuroprotection and anti-tumor, et al. Because of its remarkable effects, studies on structural modification of ligustrazine have attracted much attention. Ligustrazine synthetic derivatives reported in recent decades are mainly derived from four primary intermediates (TMP-COOH, TMP-OH, TMP-NH2, HO-TMP-OH). To explore the neuroprotection activitiy of ligustrazine intermediates, six ligustrazine intermediates (2, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13) were synthesized and their protective effects against CoCl2-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells were studied. The target compounds were prepared via different chemical methods, including oxidation, substitution, esterification and amidation without changing the structure nucleus of ligustrazine. Compared with TMP (EC50 = 56.03 micromol x L(-1)), four compounds (2, 5, 12 and 13) exhibited higher activity (EC50 < 50 micromol x L(-1)) respectively, of which, compound 2 displayed the highest protective effect against the damaged PC12 cells (EC50 = 32.86 micromol x L(-1)), but target compounds 8 and 11 appeared lower activity (EC50 > 70 micromol x L(-1)). By structure-activity relationships analysis, the introduction of carboxyl, amino to the side chain of ligustrazine and appropriately increase the proportion of ligustrazine may contribute to enhance its neuroprotective activity, which provides a reference for the design, synthesis and activity screening of relevant series of ligustrazine derivatives in the future.

[Short-course kidney-invigorating therapy improves near-term semen quality in asthenozoospermic men with kidney deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of short-course kidney-invigorating therapy on near-term semen quality in asthenozoospermic men with kidney deficiency. METHODS: Based on the differential types in traditional Chinese medicine, 121 asthenozoospermia patients received at our clinic of andrology were divided into groups A (kidney-yin deficiency), B (kidney-yang deficiency) and C (spleen and kidney deficiency), and treated with Yougui Decoction plus Wuziyanzong Pills, Jinkuishenqi Pills plus Wuziyanzong Pills, and Shizi Decoction plus Liujunzi Decoction, respectively, all given once daily for 4 weeks. Sperm parameters of the patients were analyzed with the computer-assisted sperm analysis system before and after treatment and compared among the three groups. RESULTS: The baseline sperm concentrations in groups A, B and C ([70.4 +/- 38.6], [73.5 +/- 40.2] and [56.0 +/-34.4] x 10(6)/ml) showed no significant differences from those after medication ([74.4 +/- 32.6], [67.0 +/- 30.8] and [58.6 +/- 24.6] x 10(6)/ml) (P > 0.05). The percentages of grade a sperm in the three groups were (12.9 +/- 5.3)%, (13.7 +/- 7.7)% and (12.9 +/- 6.4)% respectively after treatment, significantly higher than (9.9 +/- 6.7)%, (9.3 +/- 5.4)% and (9.0 +/- 6.8)% before treatment (P < 0.05), and so were the percentages of grade a + b sperm ([37.4 +/- 10.2 ]%, [35.7 +/- 13.7]% and [35.9 +/- 12.3]% after treatment versus [29.6 +/- 13.2]%, [27.5 +/- 10.4]% and [28.3 +/- 12.1]% before treatment, P < 0.05). All the three groups showed significantly increased sperm motility after treatment ([53.8 +/- 10.5]%, [52.6 +/- 15.2]% and [51.1 +/- 13.1]%) as compared with the baseline levels ([44.3 +/- 14.0]%, [43.5 +/- 15.0]% and [42.4 +/- 14.9]%) (P < 0.05). The cure rate and total effectiveness rate were significantly higher in group B than in A (P < 0.05), but had no significant differences between either A and C or B and C (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Short-course kidney-invigorating therapy can significantly improve near-term semen quality in asthenozoospermic men with kidney asthenia, especially in those with kidney-yang deficiency, and it has no obvious adverse effects.

[Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for incidental prostate cancer after TURP].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the management of incidental prostate cancer after TURP by laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). METHODS: Between April 2005 and December 2011, we treated 4 cases of incidental prostate cancer with p504s (+) by LRP, 1 at 3 mon, while the other 3 at 1.5 mon after TURP. RESULTS: The operations were successfully performed in all the 4 cases, all by extraperitoneal approach. Postoperative pathology showed prostate cancer in 2 of the cases with Gleason scores of 6-7, high-level epithelial neoplasia in 1, and no malignancy in the other. Postoperative observation and 1-79 mon follow-up visit revealed good urinary function but no obvious urinary incontinence, metastasis and erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSION: With practiced laparoscopic skills, laparoscopic radical prostatectomy may achieve satisfactory results in the treatment of incidental prostate cancer after TURP.

Cutaneous and subcutaneous coinfection by Lichtheimia corymbifera and Candida parapsilosis: a case report / 中华皮肤科杂志

To report a case of cutaneous and subcutaneous coinfection caused by Lichtheimia corymbifera and Candida parapsilosis.A 67-year-old female peasant consulted about proliferative granuloma developing on her left forearm after topical application of a Chinese herbal drug and splint fixation for the treatment of suspected fracture of the wrist.Direct microscopic examination showed gram positive budding yeast cells in lesion secretions.Pathological study with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and gormori methenamine silver (GMS) staining revealed broad non-separate hyphae in the corneum and dermis.Fungal culture of lesional tissue at 35℃ grew both mould and yeast.The mould was identified as Lichtheimia corymbifera based on morphological findings and sequences of the internal transcribed space (ITS) 1-4 regions.Thermal tolerance study revealed that the isolate grew fast at 37℃ but slowly at 40℃.Under a scanning electron microscope,the acrogenous sporangia were pear-shaped with conical sporangiophores originating from the top of stolon,which were among but not opposite to the rhizoids.The yeast was identified as Candida parapsilosis by Chromagar test and D1/D2 region sequencing.As antimicrobial susceptibility test indicated,the Lichtheimia corymbifera isolate was most sensitive to terbinafine and itraconazole.The proteolytic activity of Lichtheimia corymbifera was higher than that of Candida parapsilosis.The granuloma completely subsided after surgical resection and 6-week treatment with oral itraconazole 200 mg twice a day.No recurrence was observed during a 4-year follow-up.

[Genetic analysis of family constellation for cochlear implant recipients].

GJB2, SLC26A4 (PDS) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been associated with sensorineural hearing loss. In the present study, the clinical, genetic and molecular analysis of 14 cochlear implant recipients and their parents was studied from April 2006 to September 2007. Of the 14 subjects, 35.7% had gene mutations; 28.6% had homozygous GJB2 235delC mutation, whose parents carried heterozygous GJB2 235delC mutation; and 7.1% had mtDNA A1555G mutation, whose mother carried mtDNA A1555G mutation too. There was no SLC26A4 (PDS) mutation. These results strongly suggested that the mutation in GJB2 gene was a major cause of deafness in cochlear implant recipients and the mutation of mtDNA A1555G was another important cause. Genetic test of hot-spots and analysis of family constellation can offer an accurate genetic counseling to deaf family and reduce the incidence of hearing loss.

Cohort study on the effect of a combined treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine on the relapse and metastasis of 222 patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer after radical operation / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive therapy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in reducing the relapse and metastasis of stage II and III colorectal cancer based on conventional Western medicine (WM) therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and twenty-two patients in total, diagnosed as stage II and III colorectal cancer from February 2000 to March 2006, were recruited from Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and the General Hospital of Beijing Military Area. They were followed-up once every 3-6 months. Twenty cases dropped out from the cohort. The remaining 202 patients were all treated with routine WM treatment [including R0 radical operation, or chemotherapy or/and radiotherapy according to national comprehensive cancer network (NCCN) clinical guidelines]. These patients were assigned to two groups based on whether or not they were additionally treated with TCM comprehensive therapy (orally administered with a decoction according to syndrome differentiation, combined with a traditional patent drug over one year). Ninety-eight patients from Xiyuan Hospital were treated with WM and TCM (combined group), and 104 patients from the General Hospital of Beijing Military Area were treated with WM alone (WM group). The demographic data at baseline were comparable, including the operation times, age, sex, TNM staging, and pathological types. The patients were followed-up for one to five years. Up to now, there are 98, 98, 77, 64, and 47 patients with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years of follow-up in the combined group, respectively; and 104, 104, 97, 81, and 55 patients in the WM group, respectively. The results of the 5-year follow-up of all the patients will be available in 2011.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The relapse/metastasis rate of 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year were 0 (0/98), 2.04% (2/98), 11.69% (9/77), 14.06% (9/64), and 21.28% (10/47) in the combined group, and were 4.80%(5/104), 16.35% (17/104), 21.65% (21/97), 25.93% (21/81), and 38.18%(21/55) in the WM group, respectively. A significant difference was found in the second year between the two groups (chi (2)=12.117, P=0.000). Median relapse/metastasis time was 26.5 months in the combined group and 16.0 months in the WM group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined therapy of TCM and WM may have great clinical value and a potential for decreasing the relapse or metastasis rate in stage II and III colorectal cancer after conventional WM therapy.</p>