OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of pain associated with chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) in the rat model of prostatic inflammation.

METHODSThirty-six male SD rats were equally randomized to an experimental and a control group, the former injected with 50 μl of 3% λ-carrageenan into the ventral prostate to make the model of non-bacterial prostatic inflammation, while the latter with the same volume of sterile saline solution. At 1, 2 and 4 weeks after modeling, the prostate, L6-S1 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord were harvested for examination of the expressions of the nerve growth factor (NGF), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSThe expressions of NGF, TRPA1 and CGRP in the prostatic tissue were all significantly increased in the experimental group as compared with the control (P <0.05), with a gradual decrease with the prolonging of time (P <0.05). In the L6-S1 DRG and spinal cord, the expressions of NGF, TRPA1 and CGRP exhibited no significant differences between the experimental and control groups at 1 week after modeling (P >0.05) and kept at high levels in the experimental group at 2 and 4 weeks, though not significantly different from those at 1 week (P >0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed in the expressions of the three proteins in the experimental rats among different time points (P <0.05), but not between the two groups at any time point (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe molecular mechanism of CP/CPPS can be evaluated in the rat model of prostatic inflammation established by injecting λ-carrageenan into the prostate. TRPA1 may play an important role in connecting the upstream and down-stream pathways of CP/CPPS-associated pain.

Animals ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; metabolism ; Carrageenan ; Chronic Disease ; Chronic Pain ; metabolism ; Ganglia, Spinal ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Pelvic Pain ; metabolism ; Prostatitis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism ; TRPA1 Cation Channel ; TRPC Cation Channels ; metabolism

PSA-based screening has always been one of the controversial topics among urological researchers. In spite of its benefit in detecting early prostate cancer, PSA-based screening may not only result in widespread overdiagnosis and overtreatment of an often indolent disease, which is life-threatening in only a minority of patients, but also subject participators to such complications as erectile dysfunction and incontinence. Besides, whether PSA-based screening can reduce prostate cancer specific mortality has received considerable attention. This review offers a comparative analysis of recent studies on PSA-based screening for prostate cancer.
Humans ; Male ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis

Objective To evaluate the role of imaging diagnosis in surgical treatment of primary aldosteronism(PA). MethodsFrom Jan 1995 to Dec 2004,245 patients with PA were hospitalized in our hospital.Before the operations,all the patients underwent B-ultrasonography and CT scaning,240 received intravenous pyelography and 75 MRI.The preoperative imaging diagnosis were compared with the findings during the operations and postoperative pathologic results. Results Compared with the findings during the operations,the accuracy rates of localized diagnosis for PA with B-ultrasonography,CT scanning and MRI were 92.7%,98.2% and 90.4%,respectively.Compared with the postoperative pathologic results,the accuracy rates of qualitative diagnosis for aldosterone-producing adenoma(APA) with B-ultrasonography,CT scanning and MRI were 83.0%,90.7% and 72.2%,respectively. Conclusion The comprehensive imaging data are helpful in the localized diagnosis of PA.Correct preoperative qualitative diagnosis of APA is the key step for the surgical treatment for PA.

Tumor thermal-treatment instrument is a newly developed medical instrument using HIFU technology. On the basis of a brief introduction of the system structure, this paper emphasizes the computer aided-therapy system applying a lot of computer technologies such as digital signal processing, digital signal communication computer aided design, artificial intelligence and database management system. Finally a concise therapy process using computer aided-therapy system is also introduced.
Artificial Intelligence ; Computer Systems ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Therapy, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; Ultrasonic Therapy ; instrumentation

BACKGROUNDTuberous sclerosis (TS) is an autosomal dominant disorder with a significant range of clinical expressions. The involvement of vital organs, such as the brain, kidney, heart and lung is the main cause of death in patients with TS. The aim of this study is to summarize the characteristic cutaneous features and common extracutaneous involvement of TS, which are helpful to the early detection of visceral involvement.

METHODSThe analyzed clinical data from 78 patients with TS included those from detailed history, physical and dermatological examination, cranial computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), abdominal ultrasonography, chest roentgenography, hand and foot X-ray and ophthalmologic examination.

RESULTSThe skin, brain and kidney were involved frequently in TS patients. Hypomelanotic macules were the most common and earliest cutaneous lesions. Their number was more than 3 in 81.5% of the patients. They were followed by facial angiofibromas and Shangreen's patch in a decreasing frequency. Forehead plaque, facial angiofibromas and Shagreen's patch appeared in patients at mean age of 2.6, 6.0 and 8.1 years respectively. Cranial CT showed a high positive rate in TS patients.

CONCLUSIONSCutaneous features of TS are helpful in the early diagnosis of the disease. Hypomelanotic macules are especially important for patients with epilepsy or babies whose number of hypomelanotic macules is more than 3. Cranial CT is of great value in the diagnosis of TS. The involvement of visceral organs such as the brain and kidney should be examined in TS patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Angiomyolipoma ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Kidney Neoplasms ; etiology ; Male ; Radiography ; Skin ; pathology ; Tuberous Sclerosis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of the crude extracts of Dan-shen root and San-qi of different proportion on platelet aggregation and adhesion in normal rabbits.

METHODWith rabbits, ig. (4d, exsanguinated via carotid artery, percentage of platelet aggregation and adhesion was measured.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONAspirin (4.4 mg/Kg) could markedly inhibit platelet aggregation and adhesion in normal rabbit. The proportions of Dan-shen root/San-qi (10:0, 10:1, 10:3, 10:6, 1:10) could markedly inhibit platelet aggregation, among which 10:3 was the best. San-qi alone had little effect on aggregation. The proportions of Dan-shen root/San-qi (10:3, 10:6, 0:10) could markedly inhibit platelet adhesion, among which 0:10 was the best, and the proportions(10:0, 10:1, 1:10) had little effect.

Animals ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Platelet Adhesiveness ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDFibrinogen-depleting agents are promising in the treatment of cerebral ischemic disease. They were studied by many trials, and the outcomes were different because of different regimens and different doses. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of defibrase on acute cerebral infarction in China.

METHODSA search using Chinese hospital knowledge database (CHKD) and MEDLINE database for randomized controlled trials was carried out. A CHKD (1994 June 2005) search was performed with the keyword "defibrase", then a second search for the keyword "acute cerebral infarction"; a MEDLINE search (1950 June 2005) was performed with the following keywords: [(cerebral ischemia), OR (acute cerebral infarction), OR (stroke)], AND [defibrase]. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan software 4.2.

RESULTSIncluded were 14 studies comparing the efficiency and safety of defibrase with other drugs in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. Patients' records were pooled (total 646 patients; defibrase, n = 328, no defibrase n = 318). Neurological deficit score (NDS) before treatment showed weighted mean differences (WMD) = 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (-0.60, 2.50), P = 0.23; NDS after treatment showed WMD = -2.20, 95% CI = (-4.21, -0.18), P = 0.03; Barthel index at 3 months showed WMD = 4.45, 95% CI = (-0.13, 9.03), P = 0.06; the plasma fibrinogen level before treatment showed WMD = 0.02, 95% CI = (-0.16, 0.19), P = 0.86; plasma fibrinogen level after treatment showed WMD = -1.51, 95% CI = (-1.88, -1.15), P < 0.00 001.

CONCLUSIONSWith the given dose and regimen of defibrase in China, defibrase may play a role of anticoagulation. It might inhibit the progression of stroke and prevent the recurrence of stroke.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Batroxobin ; therapeutic use ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; drug therapy ; Fibrinogen ; analysis ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy of compound ciprofloxacin suppository (CCS) combined with Ningbitai (NBT) and Yunnan Baiyao (YB) capsules in the treatment of histological prostatitis with elevated levels of PSA.

METHODSThis study included 150 cases of type IIIA histological prostatitis, with PSA levels ranging from 4 to 50 microg/L. After 1 month's treatment with oral Levofloxacin tablets at 0.5 g qd, the PSA levels remained high in 86 patients. Prostate cancer was excluded by transrectal ultrasound-guided prostatic biopsy, and histological prostatitis was confirmed in 65 patients, who were assigned to an experimental group (n=45) and a control group (n=20) to receive CCS combined with NBT and YB capsules and CCS with NBT only, respectively, both for 4 weeks. We determined the PSA levels, obtained NIH-CPSI scores before and after medication, and compared them between the two groups.

RESULTSThe two groups were well balanced in demographics and baseline characteristics. After treatment, both showed significant differences in the PSA level, PSA density (PSAD) and CPSI scores from the baseline (P<0.05), and there were also statistically significant differences between the two groups in the changes of the PSA level and CPSI scores after medication (P = 0.029 and 0.001).

CONCLUSIONCompound ciprofloxacin suppository combined with Ningbitai and Yunnan Baiyao capsules can significantly decrease the level of serum PSA and relieve related symptoms in III A histological prostatitis with PSA elevation, and Yunnan Baiyao capsules can significantly enhance the therapeutic effect.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ciprofloxacin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatitis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Suppositories ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of SOX2 in laryngeal carcinoma and analyze the relation of SOX2 and clinical factors. METHOD: We measured the expression of SOX2 protein in 45 laryngeal carcinoma fresh samples and 45 paracarcinoma tissues (cutting margin > 0.5 cm) with flow cytometer (Epics-XL II), 20 normal laryngeal mucosa samples were also studied as controls. RESULT: The quantitative and qualitative expression of SOX2 protein in laryngeal carcinoma tissues was obviously higher than those in paracarcinoma and in normal laryngeal mucosa tissues respectively (P < 0 05). There was no significant difference between the expression of paracarcinoma and normal laryngeal mucosa tissues. In laryngeal carcinoma, the expression of SOX2 protein wasn't significantly related to patients' clinical classification, tumor size, smoking history, patients' age and sex but related to metastasis, pathological grade and clinical stage. CONCLUSION The high expression of SOX2 may contribute to the carcinogenesis and development of laryngeal carcinoma. It is an important index of judging metastasis and staging and prognosis of laryngeal carcinoma to measure the expression of SOX2 protein.
Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; SOXB1 Transcription Factors ; metabolism

Objective To observe the brain activation of interictal epiletiform discharges(IEDs) and to localize the epileptogenic foci of epilepsy.Methods The electroencephalogram(EEG)and functional MRI data of 12 focal epileptic patients were acquired using a combination of EEG and functional MRI simultaneously.The IEDs onset time detected with EEG were set as the time parameters in an event- related paradigm of functional MRI analysis.The spatial and temporal characters of IEDs activation were analyzed in detail.In order to confirm the consistency of this method,all patients were scanned repeatedly and the results were correlated with clinical evaluation.Results Of the 12 patients,valid data from EEG- fMRI were obtained from 10 patients in a total of 18 sessions..Compared with the structural foci,the epileptic foci localization results of eleven sessions were good,five sessions were fairly good,and two sessions were poor.The results obtained from six patients in two separate sessions were concordant.respectively.Moreover,thalamic activation was detected in ten sessions,cerebellar activation was detected in all sessions,and the deactivation was found in the default mode loci in nine sessions. Conclusion The method of performing EEG and fMRI simultaneously can potentially be a useful tool in epilepsy research.