AIM:To explore the effect of long-term (6 months) endogenous testosterone deprivation by orchidectomy on the function of voltage-dependent potassium channels of vascular smooth muscle cells in rats. METHODS:Wistar rats were raised for 6 months after castration. Isometric tension measurement of aortic rings,whole-cell patch-clamp technique and Western blotting analysis were employed to examine the functional and posttranscriptional alterations of voltage-dependent potassium channels. RESULTS:Voltage-dependent potassium channel blocker,4-aminopyridine,significantly decreased the constriction of aortic artery rings from male rats after 6-month castration. In castrated rats the amplitude of voltage-dependent potassium currents of aortic artery smooth muscle cells was significantly decreased compared with that in control rats. Meanwhile,the expression of Kv 1.5 channel protein,which plays an essential role in mediating vasomotor function,was also reduced. The functional and molecular alterations of voltage-dependent potassium channels were both restored when the rats were concomitant applied with physiological level of testosterone after castration. CONCLUSION:Long-term deprivation of endogenous testosterone in rats significantly attenuates the function of voltage-dependent potassium channels,and the decreases in expression of Kv1.5 channel protein accounts for this alteration. Long-term application of physiological concentration of testosterone,which recovered the impaired function of voltage-dependent channels,may be beneficial for male gender with hypotestosteronaemia.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture at Baihuanshu (BL30) and Huiyang (BL35) in treating chronic abacterial prostatitis.MethodSixty patients with chronic abacterial prostatitis were divided into a treatment group(n=30) and a control group (n=30), respectively to receive electroacupuncture plus Chinese herbal medicine and Chinese herbal medicine alone.ResultAfter intervention, the scores of National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPS) dropped in both treatment and control groups, while the decrease was more significant in the treatment group (P<0.05); the pain or discomfort score from the NIH-CPS dropped in both groups, while the decrease was more marked in the treatment group (P<0.05).ConclusionElectroacupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine both are effective in treating chronic abacterial prostatitis, and electroacupuncture plus Chinese herbal medicine can produce a more significant efficacy than Chinese herbal medicine alone.

Objective To observe the therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture at Baihuanshu (BL30) and Huiyang (BL55) for chronic prostatitis. Method Ninety patients were divided into an acupuncture-medication group and a Chinese medication group, 45 in each group, to respectively receive electroacupuncture at Baihuanshu and Huiyang plus oral administration of Chinese medication, and single Chinese medication treatment, 4 weeks as a treatment course. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by adopting the Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index by National Institutes of Health (NIH-CPSI). Result The general score of NIH-CPSI dropped in both groups after intervention (P＜0.05), while the decrease in the acupuncture-medication group was more significant (P＜0.05), and it had a significantly higher therapeutic efficacy than the Chinese medication group (P＜0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Baihuanshu and Huiyang can significantly improve the symptoms of chronic prostatitis, and it’s superior to oral administration of Chinese medication in comparing the clinical efficacy.

Objective To conduct visualization analysis on research about Taraxaci Herba;To understand the research status,hotspots and trend of this field;To provide references for relevant research and clinical application.Methods The literature related to Taraxaci Herba was retrieved from CNKI,Wanfang Data,VIP and CBM from January 1,2000 to October 25,2023.NoteExpress 3.9 software was used to organize the bibliothems,and CiteSpace 6.2.R5 software was used to perform visualization analysis on the authors,research institutions and keywords.Results After screening,a total of 1 286 articles were included,with an overall upward trend in the number of annual publications.There were 518 source journals,and the journal with the most articles was Lishizhen Medicine and Materia Medica Research(33 articles);724 authors were involved,including Li Xifeng with the most articles(24 articles),and the core authors included Li Xifeng,Du Yunfeng,Hao Zhe,etc.;core research institutions included Henan University of Chinese Medicine,Yanbian University,Jiamusi University,etc.;high-frequency keywords included"Taraxaci Herba","caffeic acid","flavone","chlorogenic acid","Chinese materia medica"and so on.The research frontier involved breast cancer,inflammatory factors,Taraxaci Herba root,proliferation and antioxidant.Conclusion The current research hotspots in Taraxaci Herba focus on chemical composition,mechanism,compatibility application and disease treatment.In-depth study of the chemical constituents,refinement of the relevant mechanisms and disease treatment are the research trends in this field.

A whole-cell catalyst using Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) as a host, expressing L- threonine dehydratase from Escherichia coli, and co-expressing leucine dehydrogenase from Bacillus cereus and glucose dehydrogenase from Bacillus subtilis for cofactor regeneration, was constructed and used for one-pot production of L-2-aminobutyric acid (L-ABA) and D- gluconic acid from L-threonine and D-glucose. We used shake-flask culture to study the whole-cell catalytic condition including temperature, pH, proper permeabilization of cells and optimal wet cells amount. Moreover, the whole-cell catalyst was cultured in 5-L fermentor by fed-batch fermentation, and 164 g/L L-threonine and 248 g/L D-glucose were converted to 141.6 g/L L-ABA and 269.4 g/L D-gluconic acid. The whole-cell catalyst is promising to fulfill industrial requirements for L-ABA and D-gluconic acid.

Objective : To investigate the cross⁃sectional associations of serum interleukin( IL) Ⅳ18 with cartilage volume , cartilage defects , bone marrow lesions ( BML) and biomarkers of cartilage degradation in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) , and to provide new ideas and new methods for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: The study included 151 patients with knee OA , a general questionnaire survey was conducted , and the knee strucral was photographed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) . The cartilage volume was measured by OsiriX software in 3D⁃FLASH sequence , and cartilage defect and BML were determined in T2⁃weighted sequence. Serum IL-18 and matrix metalloproteinase ( MMP) Ⅳ3 , 13 levels were measured by enzyme⁃linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) . SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Results : In multivariable analyses , serum IL⁃18 level was consistent at divided part of joint (femorotibial joint and the patella femoral joint , all P < 0. 05) . Serum IL⁃18 level was positively associated with cartilage defect and BML at media femorotibial area (all P < 0. 01) . Serum IL⁃18 level was positively associated with MMP⁃3 (β = 0. 31 , 95% CI:0. 001 - 0. 010) and MMP⁃13 (β = 0. 86 , 95% CI:0. 08 - 0. 10 , all P < 0. 01) . CI:0. 08 - 0. 10 , all P < 0. 01) . Conclusion Serum IL⁃18 level is negatively associated with cartilage volume and Serum IL⁃18 level is negatively associated with cartilage volume and positively associated with cartilage defect , BML , MMP⁃3 and MMP⁃13 , suggesting IL⁃18 may play a significant role duce the injury of article cartilage in patients with knee OA and delay the progression of disease.

  Objective  To promote the development of high-quality health standards in China and summarize the characteristics of global health standards management systems and development processes.  Methods  We conducted a systematic search of relevant databases and the websites of standardization institutions. A descriptive method was used to analyze the basic characteristics of the standard management systems and development processes.  Results  The majority of the investigated countries and organizations primarily implement voluntary standards, with the exception of Chinese and the European Committee for Standardization that enforce compulsory standards. All countries and organizations have health standards at the national, group, and enterprise levels. In China and Japan, standards authorities are subordinate to the government, while in other countries or organizations, they operate as independent civil societies. The development process for health standards generally involves five stages: "Project/Proposal → Draft → Enquiry → Review → Publication". However, the specific steps in the development of health standards vary across different countries and organizations. Furthermore, China ranks high in the number of both standards and health standards issued, but the proportion of health standards is only 2.06%.  Conclusions  There are significant differences between China and other countries in terms of the management system and development process of health standards. To promote the management and development of high-quality health standards in China, we recommend promoting the coordination mechanism for standard development, increasing efforts to publicize standards and evaluate the implementation effect, strengthening the construction of personnel for the development of health standards, optimizing the efficiency of standard development and improving the internationalization level of health standards.