Oxidative stress induces apoptosis of many cells and arrest of their differentiation.Both Danshensu(DSS)and hydrogen sulfide(H2S)produce significant antioxidant effect in various systems. In this study,we synthesized SDSS,a new H2S-releasing compound derived from DSS,and studied its antioxidant effect in an H2O2-induced MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell injury model. We first characterized the H2S releasing property of SDSS in both in vivo and in vitro models. HPLC chromatogram showed that intravenous injection of SDSS in adult rats released ADT-OH,a well proved H2S sustained-release moiety, within several minutes in the rat plasma. Using an H2S selective fluorescent probe, we further confirmed that SDSS released H2S in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. Biological studies revealed that SDSS had no significant toxic effect but produced protective effects against H2O2-induced MC3T3-E1cell apoptosis. SDSS also reversed the arrest of cell differentiation caused by H2O2treatment. This was caused by the stimulatory effect of SDSS on bone sialo protein,runt-related transcription factor-2, collagen expression, alkaline phosphatase activity, and bone nodule formation. Further studies revealed that SDSS reversed the reduced superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content,and the increased ROS production in H2O2treated cells. In addition, SDSS significantly attenuated H2O2-induced activation of p38-, ERK1/2-, and JNK-MAPKs. SDSS also stimulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway.Blockade of this pathway attenuated the cytoprotective effect of SDSS.We also observed the effect of SDSS on aspirin-induced gastric injury and found that SDSS protected against aspirin-induced gastric damage. In conclusion, SDSS protects cells against H2O2-induced apoptosis by suppressing oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effectiveness of sertraline hydrochloride combined with four-spot caress in the treatment of primary premature ejaculation (PE).

METHODSWe randomly assigned 90 primary PE patients to three groups of equal number. The patients in group A (aged [28.1 ± 5.2] yr and with a disease course of [3.1 ± 1.9] yr) were treated with oral sertraline hydrochloride at 50 mg qd, those in B (aged [27.8 ± 4.1] yr and with a disease course of [3.2 ± 2.0] yr) by four-spot caressing (caressing the tongue, breasts, and vulva prior to intercourse), and those in C (aged [27.1 ± 4.7] yr and with a disease course of [3.1 ± 2.0] yr) by the combination of oral sertraline hydrochloride and four-spot caressing, all for 12 weeks. Before and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment, we obtained the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and Chinese Index of Sexual Function for Premature Ejaculation-5 (CIPE-5) scores and compared them among the three groups of patients.

RESULTSThe IELT was dramatically prolonged in groups A, B, and C after 4 weeks ([1.08 ± 0.29], [0.93 ± 0.28] and [1.21 ± 0.27] min), 8 weeks ([1.43 ± 0.30], [1.20 ± 0.33] and [1.72 ± 0.42] min) and 12 weeks of treatment ([2.12 ± 0.63], [1.90 ± 0.65] and [2.67 ± 0.82] min) as compared with the baseline ([0.63 ?0.14] , [0.60 ?0.14] and [0.62 ?0.11] min) (P < 0.05), even longer in group C than in A and B (P < 0.05). The CIPE-5 scores were markedly improved in groups A, B and C after 4 weeks ([15.17 ± 1.74], [14.57 ± 1.94] and [15.60 ± 1.63] min), 8 weeks ([17.13 ± 1.63], [16.37 ± 1.97] and [18.00 ± 1.05] min) and 12 weeks of intervention ([18.93 ± 1.57], [18.53 ± 1.67] and [20.00 ± 1.46] min ) as compared with the baseline ([12.57 ± 2.05], [13.20 ± 2.51] and [13.07 ± 2.01] min) (P < 0.05), even higher in group C than in A and B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSertraline hydrochloride combined with four-spot caressing, with its definite efficacy and rare adverse reactions, deserves wide clinical application in the treatment of primary PE.

Adult ; Coitus ; Ejaculation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Premature Ejaculation ; drug therapy ; Sertraline ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the distribution, combination and evolution of various syndromic etiologies of erectile dysfunction (ED) based on the syndrome etiology theory.

METHODSUsing the ED Syndromic Etiology Scale, we collected the clinical data on the Chinese medicine diagnoses of 297 cases of ED, extracted the core syndromic etiologies by analysis of principal components and factors, and analyzed the patterns of distribution, combination, and evolution of ED syndromic etiologies according to the general information of the patients.

RESULTSThrough analysis of principal components and factors, 9 core syndromic etiologies were extracted, i. e. , liver constraint with qi stagnation, kidney yin deficiency, damp-heat, liver constraint transforming into liver-fire, blood stasis, kidney yang deficiency, heart-spleen paired deficiency, qi-yin paired deficiency, and phlegm-damp. Each of these syndrome etiologies exhibited its own specific distribution patterns. Of the total number of cases studied, 51.52% had 2 or 3 core syndromic etiologies and 36.03% had only one.

CONCLUSIONIn the early stage of ED, its syndromic etiologies are usually liver constraint with qi stagnation, kidney yin deficiency, damp-heat, liver constraint transforming into liver-fire, and blood stasis. With the natural progres- sion of the disease, its syndromic etiologies gradually evolve into kidney yang deficiency, heart-spleen paired deficiency, qi-yin paired deficiency, phlegm-damp, and blood stasis, and finally into yin-yang deficiency of the heart, spleen and kidneys, combined with phlegm-damp and blood stasis.

Adult ; Erectile Dysfunction ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of leuprolide acetate in the treatment of endometriosis. Methods From Nov. 2007 to Oct. 2012, the patients who confirmed to be endometriosis were randomly divided into test group of 113 cases and control group of 116 cases. The test drug was the sustained-release agent of leuprolide acetate. The control drug was Enantone. The drugs were used for 3 times in total. After treatment, the ovarian mass volumes measured with type-B ultrasound, the scores of the patient′s subjective symptoms during non-menstrual and menstruation days, the pelvic signs during non-menstrual days, the changes of hormones [estradiol (E2), FSH, LH], and adverse events were observed. Results After the treatment, the rate of changes of ovarian mass volume (among them, at 12 weeks after the first injection, the median was -55.83% in the test group, -68.22% in the control group, P=0.336), the distinct improvement rate of symptom scores and pelvic signs during non-menstrual days [among them, at 12 weeks after the first injection, the rate of lower abdomen pain was 47.5%(48/101) in the test group, 44.0%(44/100) in the control group, P=0.881], the hormone (E2, FSH, LH) levels [among them, at 12 weeks after the first injection, the serum level of E2, was (33±38) pmol/L in the test group, (38± 40) pmol/L in the control group, P=0.414;the serum level of FSH, was (5.1±2.8) U/L in the test group, (5.3± 2.3) U/L in the control group, P=0.666;the serum level of LH, was (0.6±0.8) U/L in the test group, (0.6±0.9) U/L in the control group, P=0.907], had no statistically significant difference between the two groups (all P>0.05). The distinct improvement rate and improvement rate of symptom (lower abdomen pain, low back pain) scores during menstruation days at 12 weeks after the first injection, the rates of lower abdomen pain were 73.9%(34/46), 15.2%(7/46) respectively in the test group, 72.3%(34/47), 2.1%(1/47) respectively in the control group, had statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.026). There was no serious adverse event occurred in both two groups. The incidence rate of adverse event was 33.6%(38/113) in test group, 23.2% (27/116) in control group, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.082). Conclusion Leuprolide acetate is effective and safe in the treatment of endometriosis.

Objective To investigate selcnium(Se) levels of environment and human body in Gaomi City and Zichuan District of Shandong. Methods Lijiaying Township in Gaomi City of Weifang City, Zhaili Township and Longquan Township in Zichuan District of Zibo City were selected. Two farming soil samples at different spot, local wheat and corn, residents nail samples from 3 to 4 families were collected in each natural village in the investigated towns. The contents of Se were detected by 2,3-diamino naphthalene fluorescence method. Results Se level of the soil, wheat, corn, and nails in Lijiaying [(0.054 ± 0.019), (0.022 ± 0.009), (0.018 ± 0.007), (0.365 ± 0.108)mg/kg] was significantly lower than that in Zhaili [(0.425 ± 0.080), (0.130 ± 0.043), (0.098 ± 0.026), (0.751 ± 0.134)mg/kg] and Longquan[(0.487 ± 0.153), (0.112 ± 0.030), (0.097 ± 0.029), (0.735 ± 0.145)mg/kg;P < 0.01]. In Lijiaying, Se was deficient in soil, wheat, corn(< 0.200, < 0.025 mg/kg), above Se deficiency diagnosis and below Se-adequate level in the nail, while in Zhaili and Longquan, the Se level in the soil (0.425, 0.487 mg/kg), wheat(0.130, 0.112 mg/kg), corn (0.098, 0.097 mg/kg), nails (0.751, 0.735 mg/kg) was adequate (≥0.400 mg/kg). Conclusions The external environment is Se-deficient in Lijiaying, Se-adequate in Longquan and Zhaili. The selenium level in human body is consistent with the external environment.

Objective: To explore a single center large cohort of patients with Takayasu’s arteritis for their clinical manifestation and long-term outcome in China. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 566 patients with Takayasu’s arteritis admitted in our hospital from 2002-01 to 2013-11 for their clinical characteristics, laboratory ifndings, angiographic features, treatment and long-term outcomes. Results: The patient’s ratio for female to male gender was 1 to 3.8 and the average onset age was (28.9 ± 12.0) years. The most common non-speciifc symptom, initial symptom and complication were fever (52/566 patients, 9.2%), dizziness (214 patients, 37.8%) and hypertension (392 patients, 69.3%) respectively. The patients with pulmonary artery and coronary artery involvement were 83 (14.7%) and 66 (11.7%) respectively, and 131 (23.1%) patients had faster erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The major vascular damage was steno-occlusive lesion and the most common involvement was left sub-clavian artery, which was observed in 278 (49.1%) patients. The treatments were mainly included in medication, interventional therapy, autologous blood vessel transplantation, artiifcial blood vessel transplantation and aortic valve replacement. There were 32 patients died during the mean follow-up period of (5.0 ± 0.2) years. Hypertension, complication and the progressive stage of disease were the major factors affecting prognosis in relevant patients (regression coefifcients: 4.664, 1.959 and 1.870 respectively, allP<0.05). Conclusion: Hypertension was the leading reason for patients’ hospital visit. Takayasu’s arteritis was closely related to cardiovascular disease, the early diagnosis and treatment were really important in clinical practice.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of catheter-directed interventional therapy in patients with acute pulmonary embolism(PE). Methods: PE was diagnosed by CT pulmonary angiography(CTPA). After risk stratification, a total of 79 PE patients (age (58.9±14.9) years old)were treated with catheter-directed interventional therapy via pulmonary vessels. The changes of pulmonary hemodynamics were compared before and after treatment. The risk of complications and side effects were observed. Results: The pulmonary artery pressure was changed followed by interventional therapy. The interventional therapy significantly decreased mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) from (35.3±11.2)mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (30.0±10.6)mmHg (t=8.803,P<0.05) and the echocardiographic derived right ventricular dimension to left ventricular dimension (RV/LV) ratio from 0.93±0.16 to 0.83±0.15 (t=6.868,P<0.05). The arterial partial pressure of oxygen was increased from (69.0±8.6)mmHg to (75.1±9.9)mmHg (t=8.561,P<0.05) . The oxygen saturation was also increased from (93.9±2.9)% to (95.1±1.9)% at 24 h after the treatment (t=2.621,P<0.05) . Patients were further grouped as high-risk group (n=28) and intermediate risk group (n=51). mPAP and RV/LV ratio were significantly reduced in the two subgroups (all P<0.05) and the range of reduction was more significant in the high-risk group. Five patients experienced minor bleeding complication, 3 patients suffered worsened dispone post procedure and were treated with mechanical ventilation, 1 patient died, and 1 patient developed recurrent PE. Conclusion The catheter-directed interventional therapy improves pulmonary hemodynamics and reduces load of right ventricle both in high-risk or intermediate risk PE patients, this therapy strategy is safe and effective for patients with PE.

Recently, compound Ejiao slurry (FFEJJ) had been applied to treat cancer patients in clinic, with obvious curative effect. In this study, data and literatures were collected from the TCM chemical component database to establish the chemical component database of FFEJJ. Afterwards, MetaDrug software was used to predict the targets of FFEJJ and obtain the compound-target network. Next, the compound-target network was compared and analyzed to obtain the "compound-target-tumor target" heterogeneous network. Besides, further analysis was made on gene functions and metabolic pathway. The results indicated that FFEJJ could directly resist tumors by regulating cancer cell differentiation, growth, proliferation and apoptosis, and show an adjuvant therapeutic effect by enriching the blood and increasing the immunity.
Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; drug effects ; Humans ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDSmall for gestational age (SGA) infants are associated with a high rate of oligohydramnios, stillbirth and cesarean delivery. Among SGA patients there is a higher risk of neonatal complications, such as polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and hypothermia. Additionally, the SGA infant is prone to suffer from major neurologic sequelae, as well as cardiovascular system disease, in later life. Proper monitoring and therapy during pregnancy are, therefore, of utmost importance. The present study aimed to investigate the influential and prognostic factors of SGA infants.

METHODSFrom January 2001 to June 2007, a total of 55 SGA neonatal infants were included in a study group. All were born at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, with regular formal antenatal examinations. In addition, a total of 122 cases of appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants were born at the same time and were registered into a control group. All cases were singleton pregnancies with detailed information of the maternal age, gravidity, parity, maternal height and weight, complications, uterine height and abdominal circumference, results from transabdominal ultrasonography between 32 - 38 gestational weeks, pregnancy duration, delivery manner, placenta, umbilical cord, and neonatal complications.

RESULTSSignificant differences were observed in placenta weight and neonatal malformations between the study and control groups. Multivariate analysis revealed increased parity, maternal hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroidism history as risk factors. Fetal abdominal circumferences less than 30 and 32 cm at 32 - 38 gestational weeks respectively, as determined by ultrasonography, resulted in a Youden index of 0.62.

CONCLUSIONSSGA infants were associated with a greater risk of smaller placentas and infant malformations. Increased parity, maternal hyperthyroidism, and a hyperthyroid history were risk factors for SGA infants. Fetal abdominal circumference less than 30 cm at 32 gestational weeks and less than 32 cm at 38 weeks, as determined by ultrasonography, was considered an effective index for SGA.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Congenital Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; complications ; physiopathology ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Small for Gestational Age ; Multivariate Analysis ; Placenta ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

OBJECTIVETo explore the possible action mechanism of Jujingwan on asthenospermia.

METHODSSemen routine analyses and determination of nitric oxide (NO) concentration and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in seminal plasma were performed in 34 cases of asthenospermia. The changes of NO concentration and SOD activity before and after the treatment with Jujingwan were observed.

RESULTSCompared with pre-treatment, there was no significant change in NO concentration, and the activity of SOD decreased significantly after the treatment ([95.97 +/- 20.75] microg/L vs [6.14 +/- 19.99] microg/L). There was negative correlation between NO concentration and SOD activity before the treatment (r = -0.246, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONJujingwan can significantly improve sperm viability in patients with asthenospermia. However, the excellent effects of Jujingwan are not displayed in the changes of NO concentration and SOD activity.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oligospermia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Semen ; chemistry ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism