Objective To observe the clinical efficacy ofZhibai Dihuang Decoction combined with endocrine therapy for kidney-yin deficiency type of advanced prostate cancer and its influence on patient symptoms of hot flashes.Methods Totally 72 cases of advanced prostate cancer patients were randomly divided into the combined group (36 cases) and the control group (36 cases). Patients in the control group were treated with endocrine therapy, while patients in the combined group were additionally treated byZhibai Dihuang Decoction. After 12 weeks of treatment, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), the international prostate symptom score (I-PSS), the clinical symptoms score, the number of cases of hot flashes and safety index before and after treatment were observed. Results In the course of treatment, the control group and the combined group each had 1 case lost to follow up. PSA and I-PSS in the two groups significantly decreased after treatment (P<0.01). The total efficiency rate of TCM syndrome was 94.3% (33/35) in the combined group, while it was 57.1% (20/35) in the control group, with significant difference (P<0.01). After treatment, the incidence of hot flushes was reduced after treatment in the combined group, but the control group increased, with significant difference (P<0.01). No adverse reaction was found in the two groups.ConclusionZhibai Dihuang Decoction combined with endocrine therapy is more effective than endocrine therapy alone, which can reduce the symptoms of hot flashes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between liver stiffness and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in chronic heptatitis B patients with negative α-fetoprotein (AFP) tests. MethodsFrom September 2012 to August 2014, this study enrolled a total of 82 HBV-relative native HCC patients as the case group. During the same period, a total of 253 chronic hepatitis B patients were also include in this study as the control group. These 253 patients were followed up for six months. All of the two groups were AFP-negative. Liver stiffness was measured in all patients by transient elastography device Fibroscan?. Logistic regression was applied to assess the risk of HCC incidence, and stratum-specific likelihood ratios (SSLR) was calculated.ResultsThe age, liver stiffness measurements and plasma albumin of patients in case group were 53 years old (44-61), 12.00 kPa (7.50-20.75), 43.14 g/L (39.50-46.75) respectively. The age, liver stiffness measurements and plasma albumin of patients in control group were 45 years old (38-56), 8.40 kPa (5.40-13.50), 46.40 g/L (43.75-48.50) respectively. The variables were compared between two groups with unpaired studentt test, and the results were statistically significant (t=4.33, 3.56,
-4.48,P=0.00, 0.00, 0.00). The patients in case group were older, and had higher liver stiffness measurements and lower plasma albumin than that of the patients in control group. Logistic regression analysis showed that HCC incidence was associated with age,male-gender and liver stiffness, and the odds ratios (OR) was 1.053, 2.432, 6.803 respectively. When liver stiffness was<10 kPa, 10.1-15 kPa, 15.1-25 kPa,>25 kPa, SSLR for HCC presence was 0.67, 1.02,1.44, 3.98 respectively.ConclusionsLiver stiffness measured by transient elastography is useful in predicting the risk of HCC incidence in AFP-negative chronic heptatitis B patients. Clinicians needed to carry out close follow-up and appropriate intervention for these patients.

To explore the expressional information of PIWIL4 in human ovarian cancer, semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(semi-qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression level of PIWIL1, PIWIL2, PIWIL3 and PIWIL4 in human ovarian clear cell carcinoma ES-2 cells.Meanwhile, in human ovarian cancer and adjacent normal tissues, the mRNA expression of PIWIL4 was determined.Then, PIWIL4-siRNA, which was designed to target PIWIL4 and chemical synthesized, was transfected into ES-2 cells with lipofectamine.MTT assay and clone formation assay were used to investigate the effects of PIWIL4-siRNA on the cell growth activity and proliferation capacity of ES-2 cells.Experimental results showed that the mRNA expression level of PIWIL4 was the highest compared to PIWIL1, PIWIL2 and PIWIL3 in ES-2 cells(P

Objective To assess the effect and safety of lanthanum carbonate vs conventional phosphate binders for hyperphosphatemia in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.Methods According to the collaborative search strategy,MEDLINE (1996 to 2012.12),EBCO (1996 to 2012.12),the clinical control test database of Cochrane Library and Chinese Wanfang database (1996to 2012.12) were searched.Related literature,whether Published or not and meeting summary included,were searched by hand.Quality assessment and data extraction were conducted by two independent investigators.Meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.0.The following outcomes were assessed:serum phosphorus levels,serum iPTH levels,serum calcium levels and adverse events.Results were expressed as OR with 95％ confidence interval for dichotomous outcomes and WMD with 95％ confidence interval for continuous outcomes.Results A total of 10 reports were identified which met the inclusion criteria.The meta-analysis showed that the efficacy of treating hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients was similar between lanthanum carbonate and conventional phosphate binders (WMD =-0.06,95％ CI-0.27 to 0.15,P =0.57) and the incidences of discontinuing due to adverse events were also similar.However,there were fewer hypercalcemic episodes and lower serum calcium levels in the lanthanum carbonate group compared to calcium-based phosphorus binders group.Conclusion Lanthanum carbonate is effective and well tolerated in treating hyperphosphatemia in hemodialysis patients with fewer hypercalcemia and lower serum calcium levels compared to calciumbased phosphate binders.

ObjectiveTo study the mechanisms and related factors and preventive managements of the stress ulcer complicating with acute cervical spinal cord injury. MethodsThe clinical findings of eight cases of the acute cervical spinal cord injury with stress ulcer were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsFive cases were cured by conservative treatment, one case was cured after operations, two cases died of breath and circulation failure.ConclusionStress ulcer is a critical complication of acute cervical spinal cord injury. It should be prevented actively.

Objective To compare the differences of platelet(PLT) count between the optical method (PLT‐O) and electrical impedance method (PLT‐I) ,using microscopic method (PLT‐M) as a standard method ,and to analyze the alarm information of in‐strument .Methods Both of PLT‐O and PLT‐M of 468 cases of patient specimens were detected by Sysmex XE‐2100 automatic hematocyte analyzer ,and which were compared with PLT‐M .The counts and morphology of red blood cells and platelets were de‐tected by microscopic method .The alarm information of red blood cells and platelets were recorded .Results In non‐hematopathy group ,there was no significant difference among PLT‐M ,PLT‐I and PLT‐O (P=0 .071) .In hematopathy group ,PLT‐I was signifi‐cantly different from both PLT‐M and PLT‐O (P<0 .05) ,however ,there was no significantly difference between PLT‐M and PLT‐O (P>0 .05) .There were 149 cases occurring platelets alarm and 127 cases occurring red blood cells alarm in hematopathy group , which was consistent with the results of microscopic method .Conclusion When the value of PLT is below the normal reference range ,counting error of PLT‐I is large and the value of PLT should be rechecked or corrected using PLT‐M and PLT‐O .Re‐exam‐ination should be performed when alarm information is displayed .

Objective To analyze the abnormal detectable rates of different kinds of blood test indexes before and after treatment in the patients with snake bite and to probe into the change condition of these indexes after different snake bite .Methods The inpa‐tients with clearly diagnosed what kind of snake bite in the past two years were selected as the research subjects .The multiple blood test indexes were determined before and after treatment in these patients .The abnormal detectable rates of these indexes were ana‐lyzed and compared among various snake bite patients .Results The different kinds of snake bite all could cause the different de‐grees of changes in some detection indexes among partial patients .Specially ,the detectable rates of WBC ,PT ,APTT ,TT ,D‐D ,CK , CK‐MB ,LDH ,Urea ,Cr and Cys‐C increase and PLT and Fbg decrease caused by viper bite were apparently higher than those caused by other kinds of snake bites (P<0 .05) .The detectable rates of CO2 increase and K+ decrease in the coral snake bite were apparently higher than those in trimeresurus gramineus ,cobra and viper bite (P<0 .05) .Conclusion Because the snake species and toxicities are different in the various snake bites ,so the caused changes and the abnormal detectable rates of blood test indexes also are different .

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Yixintai Granule (YG) on mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP2 in renal medulla of chronic heart failure (CHF) rabbits.

METHODSCHF rat model was established by ear marginal vein injection of adriamycin. Successfully modeled rabbits were divided into the model group, the high (8.4 g/kg), middle (4.2 g/kg), and low dose (2.1 g/kg) YG group, and the Furosemide group (2 mg/kg). Besides, a normal control group was set up. Equal volume of physiological saline was administered to rabbits of the model group and the normal control group by gastrogavage. YG at different doses was administered to rabbits of the 3 YG groups by gastrogavage. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks, once per day. After treatment the urine volume and pathomorphological changes of renal medulla tissue were observed. mRNA and its protein expression levels of AQP2 were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the urine volume decreased significantly, mRNA and protein expression levels of renal medulla AQP2 increased significantly in the model group (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the urine volume increased significantly, and mRNA and protein expression levels of renal medulla AQP2 decreased significantly in all medicated groups (all P < 0.01). Compared with the low dose YG group, the urine volume significantly increased and the mRNA expression level of renal medulla AQP2 significantly decreased in the middle and high dose YG groups (all P < 0.01). The expression level of AQP2 protein significantly decreased in the high dose YG group (P < 0.01). Pathological changes of the renal medulla was the most obviously seen in the model group. But they were alleviated to various degrees in all medicated groups. They were more obviously attenuated in the middle and high dose YG groups.

CONCLUSIONYG could improve CHF possibly through down-regulating mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP2 in renal medulla, and elevating the urine volume.

Animals ; Aquaporin 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIM:To investigate the changes of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in the process of cardiomyo-cyte hypertrophy induced by high glucose , and to explore its potential mechanisms .METHODS: The rat cardiomyocytes (H9c2 cells) were divided into normal glucose group , high glucose group, DMSO group and resveratrol (an AhR antago-nist) group.The content and distribution of AhR were observed with immunofluorescence staining .The myocardial cells were stained with rhodamine-labeled phalloidin to visualize cytoskeleton , and the cell surface area were determined after im-aging by fluorescence microscopy .The generation of reactive oxygen species ( ROS) in the cardiomyocytes was measured u-sing a fluorescent probe DCFH-DA.The mRNA expression of AhR , CYP1A1, atrial natriuretic peptide ( ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide ( BNP) were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR ( RT-qPCR).The protein levels of AhR, CYP1A1, ANP and BNP were assessed by Western blot .RESULTS:AhR was constitutively presented in the cytosol un-der normal-glucose condition and was translocated to the nuclei under high-glucose condition .High glucose induced cardiac hypertrophy , and increased ROS generation .Significant reductions in the cell size and ROS generation were observed after treated with resveratrol.The expression of AhR, CYP1A1, ANP and BNP at mRNA and protein levels in high glucose group was increased as compared with normal glucose group and resveratrol group , and the above-mentioned indexes signifi-cantly decreased in resveratrol group as compared with DMSO group .CONCLUSION: High glucose-induced cardiac hy-pertrophy increases AhR expression , which may be involved in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis in the cardiomyo-cytes.AhR translocation to the nucleus induced by high glucose results in the increases in CYP 1A1 expression and ROS generation, which may be an important mechanism of high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy .

Objective To study the efficacy of sacral nerve stimulation combined with tolterodine in patients with female idiopathic overactive bladder (IOAB).Methods A total of 200 female patients diagnosed with IOAB from January 2005 to January 2011 were included in the study,and according to random number table method were divided into treatment group and control group with 100 cases in each.Each group was divided into 3 subgroups according to urinary frequency and urgency,urge incontinence,and both of them together.In the treatment group,patients received percutaneous sacral nerve stimulation and tolterodine 2 mg orally,1 time/d,while in the control group,only given tolterodine 2 mg orally,1 time/d,treatment for 3 months.The voiding diary and urodynamics parameters were observed between the two groups before and after treatment and application of self-rating depression scale (SDS) and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) to evaluate the psychology of concomitant depression and anxiety score.Results After treatment,the average number of urination,daily average unit urine,the single biggest urine and urine feel capacity (FDV),the maximum capacity of the bladder pressure (MCBC),maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) in two groups were improved,and the daily average unit urine,single biggest urine and FDV,MCBC,Qmax in treatment group after treatment were higher than those in control group [daily average unit urine:urinary frequency and urgency (248 ± 46) ml/times vs.(150 ± 77) ml/times,urge incontinence (249 ± 69) ml/times vs.(144 ± 81) ml/times,both of them together (247 ± 69) ml/times vs.(170 ± 46) ml/times; the single biggest urine:(320 ± 87) ml/times vs.(212 ± 44) ml/times,(315 ± 65) ml/times vs.(211 ± 56) ml/times,(333 ±59) ml/times vs.(201 ±66) ml/times;FDV:(176 ±64) ml vs.(142 ±44) ml,(190 ±69) ml vs.(142±55) ml,(188 ±60) mlvs.(138 ±49) ml;MCBC:(265 ±46) ml vs.(203 ±50) ml,(288 ±48) ml vs.(197 ± 41)ml,(287 ± 43) ml vs.(189 ± 44) ml],there were significant statistical differences (P ＜ 0.01).The SDS and SAS scores were reduced in two groups after treatment,and the SDS and SAS scores in treatment group after treatment were significantly lower than those in control group [SDS scores:urinary frequency and urgency (33.0 ± 6.2) scores vs.(44.0 ± 5.9) scores,urge incontinence(31.1 ± 6.2) scores vs.(41.6 ± 6.1) scores,both of them together(33.4 ± 7.2) scores vs.(44.5 ± 5.0)scores;SAS scores:(30.3 ± 4.4) scores vs.(41.3 ±4.4) scores,(33.3 ±5.8) scores vs.(42.5 ±6.4) scores,(31.9 ±4.7) scores vs.(43.5 ± 5.6) scores],there were significant statistical differences (P＜ 0.01).Conclusions The combined treatment of tolterodine and sacral nerve stimulation can not only improve the voiding dysfunctions symptoms but also the concomitant depression and anxiety in patients with female IOAB,thus improving the patient's quality of life.