Objective To elucidate the deleterious diabetogenic effect of tacrolimus on Chinese Han people.Methods According to patients' whole blood trough levels,the concentration of tacroli- mus was 5,15 and 25?g/L.Human islet cells cultured in vitro were exposed to various concentra- tions of tacrolimus for 72 h respectively,then stimulated by glucose at low (2.8 mmol/L) and high (16.7 mmol/L) levels.Glucose-stimulating insulin secretion during subsequent static incubation was measured using the ultrasensitive human insulin ELISA kit.The assessment of islet cell viability was studied with acridine orange (AO)-propidium iodide (PI).According to fasting plasma glucose,461 subjects were divided into normal glucosetolerance group (FPG＜5.55 mmol/L),impaired fasting glu- cose group (5.55 mmol/L＜FPG＜6.88 mmol/L) and posttransplant diabetes mellitus group (FPG≥6.89 mmol/L).A retrospective review of 461 non-diabetic kidney recipients completing at least 12 months of follow-up was performed to determine risk factors,incidence,and characteristics of post- transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM).Results In vitro,lower tacrolimus concentration had not dele- terious effect on insulin secretion and viability of islet;high tacrolimus impaired?-cell survival as well as insulin secretion.Of the 461 patients with no history of diabetes at transplantation over the study period of 12 months,123 received tacrolimus and 338 received cyclosporine A (CsA).For patients receiving tacrolimus the cumulative incidence of PTDM was 13.8%,compared with 7.7% for pa- tients receiving CsA,showing no significant difference between them.The reduced tacrolimus level within the therapeutic window resulted in an increase in better glucose metabolism.Older age,family history of diabetes,acute rejection episodes and pre-transplant impaired fasting glucose were identified as risk factors for PTDM.Conclusion The diabetogenic effect of TAC is dose-dependent,and in the majority is reversible.Low initial doses,more rapidly tapering and lower maintenance levels of tacroli- mus decrease the incidence of PTDM in patients receiving tacrolimus.

Objective: To study the clinical features of depressive patients consulting neurological clinics in a general hospital and the therapeutic effect of Paroxetine in treatment of depression in this group Methods: 46 patients with depressive symptoms were collected consecutively, 24 among them were treated by Paroxetine The changes of scores of HAMD and Clinical Global Impression(CGI) before and after treatment were used to assess the therapeutic effect Results: Patients complained a variety of somatic symptoms involved nearly all systems, After four weeks’treatment of Paroxetine, both HAMD and CGI scores decreased dramatically The change of HAMD became significant at the end of the first week of treatment Conclusion: Depressive patients consulting general hospital have many somatic complaints Paroxetine has both anxioletic and antidepressant effects in this group of patients

Objective To profile the phenotype and pathogens of cutaneous and mucous mycoses in a dermatology outpatient clinic in Nanchang region. Methods A review was performed to assess cutaneous and mucous mycoses diagnosed in the dermatology outpatient clinic of Dermatology Hospital of Jiangxi Province from 2006 to 2008. The relationship of clinical phenotype and pathogens to season, patients' age and gender was analyzed. Results A total of 7251 cases were collected, and the ratio of male to female patients was 2.3: 1. The most prevalent mycoses included tinea cruris (2702, 37.1%), pityriasis versicolor (1505, 20.8%) and tinea manus (727, 10.0%). In total, 4953 fungal strains were isolated from all the patients except for those with pityriasis versicolor, of them, Trichophyton rubrum accounted to 69.9%, Candida to 20.4%, and Trichophyton violaceum to 4.5%. Season, patients' age and gender were found to be associated with clinical phenotypes and pathogens of mycoses. Conclusions In the dermatology outpatient clinic of Nanchang region, tinea cruris is the most common superficial fungal disease, with the predominant pathogen being Trichophyton rubrum. Trichophyton violaceum is the primary pathogen of tinea capitis, which is different from other reports.

Objective To study the clinical effects of addition treatment of liver-kidney yin deficiency and postmenopausal osteoporosis with Liuwei Dihuang pill.Methods 120 patients suffering from postmenopausal osteopo-rosis who were determined to be subject to liver -kidney Yin deficiency by doctors of traditional Chinese medicine when they received treatment at the outpatient clinic of traditional Chinese medicine department of our hospital in the period from February 2010 to june 2013 were divided into three groups:group A,B and C,with the random number table.For group A:provided the honeyed pills made up by supplemented six -ingredient rehmannia pill,and taken two pills per day continuously for six months;For group B:provided 5mg of zoledronic acid injection for intravenous drip infusion;For group C:provided traditional Chinese medicine honeyed pills and zoledronic acid for treatment at the same time;all of the three groups take Calcium carbonate D3 at the same time;The three groups of cases until the 12th month were observed and followed -up.The clinical efficacy of three groups were compared.Results A,C group 3 months after treatment with estradiol levels compared with before treatment,the difference was statistically significant (t =2.54,P =0.05,t =2.07,P =0.06).A group 3 months after treatment,the VAS scores at 6 months respectively (3.75 ±1.32),(2.06 ±1.53)points before treatment,and the differences were statistically significant(t =10.18, P =0.00,t =9.26,P =0.00).A group 3 months after treatment,the SF -36 scores at 6 months were (90.82 ± 12.38),(105.82 ±9.06)% respectively,compared with that before treatment,the differences were statistically significant(t =8.40,P =0.00,t =5.21,P =0.00).A group 6 months after treatment of lumbar 1 -4 bone density-were (0.85 ±0.07)g/m2 ,and before treatment[(0.76 ±0.07)g/m2 ]comparison,the difference was statistically significant(t =7.56,P =0.00);A group 6 months after treatment of Wards bone density compared with before treatment,the difference was statistically significant(t =8.07,P =0.00).C group 6 months after treatment of lumbar 1 -4 bone density(0.91 ±0.07)g/m2 ,and B Group[(0.88 ±0.05)g/m2 ]comparison,the difference was statistical-ly significant(t =27.19,P =0.00);C group after treatment,the bone mineral density of Wards area for 6 months were (0.62 ±0.04)g/m2 .The difference was statistically significant (t =26.22,P =0.00),compared with the B group. The TCMsyndromes of TCMin the 6 months after treatment in A group were (5.42 ±2.13),and the difference was statistically significant (t =13.29,P =0.00),compared with the B Group (10.75 ±4.08).(t =13.29,P =0.00). Compared with B group,the difference was statistically significant(t =26.22,P =0.00).A group after the treatment of TCMsyndrome score was 6 months(5.42 ±2.13),and B Group[(10.75 ±4.08)],the difference was statistically significant(t =13.29,P =0.00).Conclusion The addition of Liuwei Dihuang pill can improve BMD,alleviate the ostealgia and improve life quality of patients suffering from postmenopausal osteoporosis,and has no obvious adverse effects.It can enhance curative effects through using with diphosphonate.

Cardiac output (CO) monitoring is a crucial part of the hemodynamic status monitoring. So far, thermodilution method, which is clinically recognized as the gold standard method to monitor cardiac output, still has irreplaceable advantages. This paper mainly introduces the use of platform for cardiac output measurement based on thermodilution method, mainly including three parts: the hardware platform, software design and algorithm process. A large amount of test data of this system has been got by CO simulator testing in the laboratory and preliminary clinical tests in the hospital. The testing result showed that using the proposed system can achieve good accuracy and repeatability.
Algorithms ; Cardiac Output ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; instrumentation ; methods ; Thermodilution

Multi-component traditional Chinese medicines are an innovative research mode for traditional Chinese medicines. Currently, there are many design methods for developing multi-component traditional Chinese medicines, but their common feature is the lack of effective connection of the traditional Chinese medicine theory. In this paper, the authors discussed the multi-component traditional Chinese medicine design methods based on medicinal property combination modes, provided the combination methods with the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine for the prescription combinations, and proved its feasibly with hypertension cases.
Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rats

Objective To study the association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B) gene with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity in Chinese. Methods SNPs in the PTP-1B gene were detected by direct sequencing to PCR products, and the detected SNPs were genotyped in case-spouse samples with the technique of fluorescence real-time PCR. Results Totally 6 SNPs were found in PTP-1B gene. Three SNPs (I5/37 C→A,I6/82 A→G, I7/301 C→T) were in the intron regions and the other 3 (E8/45 C→T, E9/35 G→A, E10/372 G→A)in the exon regions. Among them, E9/35 G→A was a newly found mutation site. The A allele frequency of I5/37 C→A, T allele frequency of I7/301 C→T and G allele frequency of I6/82 A→G in type 2 diabetes were significantly higher than those in the normal spouse group (P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors influencing the compliance, discontinuation and switching of finasteride medication in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the electronic clinical data of 655 outpatients with BPH treated with finasteride from January 2008 to June 2010. Using the medication possession ratio (MPR), we measured their medication compliance and the rates of discontinuation and switching after an average observation of 12 months. We identified and evaluated the influencing factors by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe crude rates of medication compliance, discontinuation and switching were 32.4%, 58.0% and 9.6%, respectively. In those aged > or = 60 years, combination therapy of finasteride with alpha-receptor blockers and chronic comorbidities were positively associated with good compliance, while younger age was significantly associated with drug discontinuation or switching. Finasteride monotherapy was significantly associated with discontinuation of the drug.

CONCLUSIONPatients aged < 60 years and those receiving monotherapy were less likely to be compliant with newly initiated finasteride medication, and therefore more efforts should be made to increase their medication adherence.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Finasteride ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Medication Adherence ; Middle Aged ; Outpatients ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDEnvironmental toxins can destroy the physiological process of spermatogenesis and even lead to male infertility. Resveratrol (RES) is a natural phytoalexin with a wide range of biological activities. Some recent researches have demonstrated that RES can increase sperm output and protect sperm from apoptosis caused by physical damage. However, there is no evidence indicating that it can also exhibit a similar activity in testis injury caused by environmental toxins. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of resveratrol on testis damaged by environmental toxins and to elucidate the possible mechanism of its protective effect.

METHODSIn this study 2, 5-hexanedione (2, 5-HD) was used as the injury agent. Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. During the first 5 weeks, group A was raised normally, groups B, C, D and E were exposed to 1% 2, 5-HD; during the following 9 weeks, group C, D, E received intragastric administration of different concentrations of resveratrol (20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), 40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and 80 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), while groups A and B were treated by carboxymethylcellulose. Physical signs, body weight gain and testis weight were comparatively observed. Numbers and diameters of seminiferous tubules were analyzed following HE staining. In addition, expression of the c-kit protein and gene in spermatogenic cells in every group was detected with immunohistochemistry, Western blot or RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe 2, 5-HD treatment resulted in physical signs that became worse and in emarciated testis. HE staining and immunohistochemistry showed that seminiferous tubules became emarcid, obsolete spermatogonia being stagnant and expression of c-kit protein being depressed. After oral administration of resveratrol, the 2, 5-HD-induced physical signs were improved and close to the normal rats. The gain of body weight increased (P < 0.01). The recovery of testis weight was significant (P < 0.01). At the histological level, the seminiferous epithelia began to differentiate (P < 0.01); and even the physiological process of spermatogenesis restarted. Moreover, expression of c-kit protein and gene function resumed, although its expression remained different from the normal group. The diameter of and number of seminiferous tubules and the expression level of c-kit protein and gene activity were much closer to the normal group with increased doses of the resveratrol through oral administration.

CONCLUSIONSResveratrol could ameliorate markedly the dyszoospermia induced by 2, 5-HD and induce spermatogenesis. The expression of c-kit, which is a specific marker protein of spermatogenic cell membranes, could be regulated by resveratrol.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Hexanones ; toxicity ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; analysis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Testis ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of activated hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and in modulating the Rho signaling pathway.

METHODSHSCs were divided into the following groups: blank control, consisting of HSCs without treatment; two treatment controls, consisting of HSCs exposed to exogenous HGF at 50 ng/ml and HSCs exposed to exogenous HGF activator (HGFA) at 70 ng/ml; three experimental groups, consisting of HSCs exposed to both exogenous HGF and HGFA, HSCs pre-incubated with the HGF inhibitor c-met at 500 ng/ml for 6 hours and then exposed to exogenous HGF and HGFA, and HSCs pre-incubated with the Rho pathway inhibitor Y-27632 at 10 ng/ml and then exposed to exogenous HGF and HGFA. Activation status of the cultured HSCs was determined by change in expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA). The optimal intervention concentration of Y-27632 was determined by MTT assay. The apoptotic status of HSCs was determined by flow cytometry. Expression of the HGF-alpha chain was detected by immunofluorescence. The expression of RhoA was evaluated by PCR (for mRNA) and by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis (for protein).

RESULTSExposure to 10 mumol/L Y-27632 led to obvious growth inhibition of HGF + HGFA-induced HSCs, compared with the other concentrations tested (P less than 0.05). HGF + HGFA induced the expression of the HGF-alpha chain in a time-dependent manner (P less than 0.01); however, the increases in expression of HGF-alpha chain induced by HGF alone and HGFA alone were not significantly different from the level in the blank controls (P more than 0.05). Exposure to HGF alone and HGFA alone led to a time-dependent increase in apoptosis (24 h, 48 h, 72 h) but exposure to HGF + HGFA led to the highest levels of apoptosis (P less than 0.05). Exposure to HGF + HGFA led to a time-dependent decrease in RhoA mRNA and protein expression (P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONActivation of hepatocyte growth factor promotes apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells by suppressing RhoA expression and down-regulating the Rho signaling pathway.