[Simiaotongzhuo Decoction for the treatment of type III prostatitis: A clinical observation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Simiaotongzhuo Decoction (SMTZD) on the symptoms of type III prostatitis with damp-heat stagnation syndrome. METHODS: Using the randomized control method, we divided 140 cases of type III prostatitis with damp-heat stagnation syndrome into two groups and treated them orally with SMTZD at 200 ml per time bid (n = 65) and Tamsulosin Hydrochloride Sustained Release Capsules (THSRC) at 0.2 mg per time qd (n = 75), both for 6 weeks. Before and after medication, we recorded the counts of white blood cells (WBC) and lecithin bodies in the prostatic fluid, NIH-CPSI scores and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome (TCMS) scores, and compared them between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, the WBC count and NIH-CPSI scores were decreased and the number of lecithin bodies increased in both the SMTZD (NIH-CPSI score: ï¼»18±6.47ï¼½ vs ï¼»9±5.02ï¼½) and THSRC groups after medication, with statistically significant difference only in the former group (P<0.05), the TCMS scores were significantly reduced in both the SMTZD (ï¼»21.97±5.12ï¼½ vs ï¼»6.4±4.88ï¼½, P<0.05) and the THSRC group (ï¼»20.73±4.97ï¼½ vs ï¼»11.33±5.93ï¼½, P<0.05), even more significantly in the former. No statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of adverse reactions between the SMTZD and THSRC groups (9.2% vs 9.3%, P>0.05), and all the adverse reactions were mild. CONCLUSION: Simiaotongzhuo Decoction is safe and effective for the treatment of type III prostatitis with damp-heat stagnation syndrome, which can reduce the WBC count in the prostatic fluid, increase the number of lecithin bodies and improve the NIH-CPSI and TCMS scores of the patient.

[Identification of quality markers of Gei Herba based on analytic hierarchy process-entropy weight method and network pharmacology].

Analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weight method(EWM) and network pharmacology were employed to identify the potential quality markers(Q-markers) of Gei Herba. According to the new concept of Q-markers in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), the AHP-EWM was applied to quantitatively identify the Q-markers of Gei Herba. The AHP was used for the weight analysis of primary indicators(factor layer), and the EWM for the analysis of literature and experimental data of secondary indicators(control layer). In addition, network pharmacology was employed to build the "component-target-disease-efficacy" network for Gei Herba, and the components showing strong associations with the Qi-replenishing, spleen-invigorating, blood-tonifying, Yin-nourishing, lung-moistening, and phlegm-resolving effects of Gei Herba were screened out. According to the results of AHP-EWM and network pharmacology, four components, i.e., ellagic acid, gallic acid, gemin G, and gemin C, were finally identified as potential Q-markers of Gei Herba. In this study, the AHP-EWM and network pharmacology were employed to screen the Q-markers of Gei Herba, which provided ideas for the quantitative evaluation and identification of Q-markers of TCM.

A Retrospective, Long-term Follow-up of the Clinical Outcomes and Cost-effectiveness of Single-anesthetic Multiple Total Joint Procedures in Hemophilic Arthropathy.

OBJECTIVE: Although total joint replacement (TJR) procedures are efficacious, perioperative high-dose factors replacement therapy (FRT) to avoid catastrophic bleeding represents a significant hurdle, particularly for patients with multiple joint affection. Double simultaneous bilateral TJRs were reported as safe and cost-effective. However, little is known about multiple TJRs. The feasibility and effects remain debatable. Surgeons need to weigh the high cost of FRT against safety. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of single-anesthetic multiple-joint procedures of lower limbs in end-stage hemophilic arthropathy. METHODS: Our retrospective cohort study retrieved data from an inpatient database of patients with hemophilia who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA), total hip arthroplasty (THA), and/or ankle arthrodesis from January 2000 to April 2016. Complications, hospital stays, transfusion, doses of clotting factor, medical costs, range of motion (ROM), Harris hip scores (HHSs) and Hospital for special surgery knee scores (HSSs) were recorded. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total number of 81 patients were included in this study, among which 89 TKAs and 52 THAs were performed. Compared to the single TJR group, the simultaneous multiple TJR group showed a significantly higher rate of blood transfusions (P < 0.05). But no significant differences were found in the length of hospital stays, factor consumption, hospitalization costs excluding prosthesis expenses, and total complication rates. Finally, similar postoperative ROM, HHS, and HSS were witnessed in two groups (P value > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data indicated that simultaneous multiple TJRs are a safe and cost-effective choice for treating hemophilic patients with multiple HA-affected lower limb joints.

Three-dimensional Printed Scaffolds with Gelatin and Platelets Enhance In vitro Preosteoblast Growth Behavior and the Sustained-release Effect of Growth Factors.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology holds great promise for treating diseases or injuries that affect human bones with enhanced performance over traditional techniques. Different patterns of design can lead to various mechanical properties and biocompatibility to various degrees. However, there is still a long way to go before we can fully take advantage of 3D printing technologies. METHODS: This study tailored 3D printed scaffolds with gelatin and platelets to maximize bone regeneration. The scaffolds were designed with special internal porous structures that can allow bone tissue and large molecules to infiltrate better into the scaffolds. They were then treated with gelatin and platelets via thermo-crosslinking and freeze-drying, respectively. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 were measured at different time points after the scaffolds had been made. Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were determined via cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. RESULTS: There was a massive boost in the level of VEGF and TGF-ß1 released by the scaffolds with gelatin and platelets compared to that of scaffolds with only gelatin. After 21 days of culture, the CCK-8 cell counts of the control group and treated group were significantly higher than that of the blank group (P < 0.05). The cytotoxicity test also indicated the safety of the scaffolds. CONCLUSIONS: Our experiments confirmed that the 3D printed scaffolds we had designed could provide a sustained-release effect for growth factors and improve the proliferation of preosteoblasts with little cytotoxicity in vitro. They may hold promise as bone graft substitute materials in the future.