OBJECTIVETo study on visible display of Meridian on the dummy human body.

METHODSTube model-building method and computer technique were used, and data came from Voxel-Man dummy human body development platform.

RESULTSThe visual effect of re-building Meridian is very good and it can display the different layers of anatomic structures on the Meridian lines.

CONCLUSIONThe visible display of Meridian on the dummy human body is preliminary realized, which provides data carriers for establishing the platform of Meridian study.

Human Body ; Humans ; Meridians

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of Huafenqinutang combined with vardenafil for the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) with erectile dysfunction.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-eight cases diagnosed as CP/CPPS with erectile dysfunction were randomized into trial group (70 cases) and control group (68 cases) for treatment with Huafenqinutang for 8 weeks, and in the former group, vardenaffil was added since the fifth weeks. All the cases were evaluated according to NIH-CPSI and IIEF-5 scores at 4 weeks and 8 weeks, respectively.

RESULTSAt the end of the fourth weeks, NIH-CPSI score was 13.1-/+4.7 in the trial group and 13.3-/+4.5 in the control group, which were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05) but significantly decreased compared with the pre-treatment scores in both groups (P<0.01). IIEF-5 score was also similar between the two groups (14.1-/+3.3 vs 14.3-/+5.0, P>0.05) but significantly increased compared with the pre-treatment scores in both groups (P<0.01). At the end of the eighth week, NIH-CPSI score was 7.8-/+2.2 and IIEF-5 score 20.1-/+4.4 in the trial group, which were significantly different from those at the end of the fourth week (P<0.01). In the control group, NIH-CPSI score was 12.7-/+2.3 and IIEF-5 score 14.3-/+4.5 at the eighth week, similar to those at the end of the fourth week (P>0.05). There were significant differences in NIH-CPSI and IIEF-5 scores between the 2 groups (P<0.01), and the change of NIH-CPSI score was negatively correlated with IIEF-5 score in the trial group (r=-0.89, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONFor patients with CP/CPPS with erectile dysfunction, Huafenqinutang treatment in combination with vardenafil can effectively improve the erectile functions and decrease the NIH-CPSI score to favor the recovery from CP/CPPS.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Pain ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; Sulfones ; therapeutic use ; Triazines ; therapeutic use ; Vardenafil Dihydrochloride

Nine compounds were isolated from an ethanol extract of the roots of K. roxburghii by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, MCI gel, Sephadex LH-20, and reversed-phase HPLC. On the basis of physical-chemical properties and spectroscopic data analysis, their structures were identified as munjistin (1), 1-methoxy-3,6-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone (2), 1,2,3-trihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (3), arjunolic acid (4), hyptatic acid-A (5), hyptatic acid-B (6), 2α,3β,24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (7), 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (8), and daucosterol (9). Compounds 1-9 were obtained from this genus for the first time.
Anthraquinones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Rubiaceae ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

To study the allele frequencies and their polymorphism characteristics of human platelet antigen (HPA) and human leucocyte antigen-I (HLA-I) in Chinese xi'an population, the types of HPA and HLA-I in 375 Chinese xi'an voluntary platelet donors were detected by PCR-SSP and PCR-SSO as well as flow cytometry with magnetic beads, and were analyzed. The results showed that there was no polymorphism in HPA-7-HPA-14, HPA-16 and HPA-17 which only expressed-aa type, the -bb type was only detected in HPA-3 and HPA-15, 9 out of 16 samples for the HPA-5ab phenotype simultaneously expressed HPA-15ab, the other 7 samples expressed HPA-15bb, no HPA-15aa phenotype was observed. Phenotypes detected in this study were HPA-1aa-17aa, HPA-1ab, -2ab, -3ab, -3bb, -4ab, -5ab, -6ab, -15ab and -15bb. Among 375 cases, HLA-A specificity of 16 species was observed, which accounted for 76% (16/21) of detectable phenotype specificity in this locus, moreover, 11 species showed frequency > 1%; HLA-B specificity of 36 species was observed which accounted for 84% (36/43) of detectable phenotype specificity in this locus, moreover 23 species showed frequency > 1%, these species were covered by common specific HLA-I in northern China, 264 species haplotype HLA-A-B were found in 375 cases, the frequency of 30 species was > 1%. It is concluded that the gene frequency distribution of HPA and HLA-I in Chinese Xi'an population is in accordance with population of northern China on the whole, but it has its own characteristics.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Alleles ; Antigens, Human Platelet ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Blood Donors ; China ; Female ; Genes, MHC Class I ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenotype ; Young Adult

Objective To understand the pathogen detection of hospitalized patients before antimicrobial therapy in a hospital through implementation of comprehensive intervention measures,and provide reference basis for the de-velopment of targeted measures.Methods Hospitalized patients who received therapeutic antimicrobial agents in this hospital were selected as the research subjects.Patients who were hospitalized from January to May 2022 were selected as the pre-intervention group,comprehensive intervention measures were taken from June to October 2022,and those who were hospitalized from November 2022 to March 2023 were selected as the post-intervention group.The pathogen detection rate before antimicrobial therapy,sterile specimen detection rate,antimicrobial use rate,de-tection rate of key multidrug-resistant organisms of patients before and after the intervention were analyzed.Results Compared to before intervention,the proportion of pathogen detection rate before antimicrobial therapy(62.09％vs 74.04％),detection rate of healthcare-associated infection diagnosis-related pathogens(62.82％vs 92.73％),and sterile specimen detection rate(35.17％vs 41.06％)of hospitalized patients after intervention all increased signifi-cantly,with statistically significant differences(all P＜0.05).After intervention,pathogen detection rate before the combination use of key antimicrobial agents was not statistically different from before intervention(93.33％vs 90.48％,P＞0.05),while antimicrobial use rate was lower than before intervention(39.93％vs 44.95％,P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the detection rate of key multidrug-resistant organisms be-fore and after intervention(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Adopting scientific and rational intervention measures can improve the pathogen detection rate,provide a reference basis for the rational use of antimicrobial agents.There was no significant improvement in the pathogen detection rate before the combination use of key antimicrobial agents and the detection rate of key multidrug-resistant organisms,indicating that relevant measures still need to be further optimized.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the outcome of video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (VATET) for myasthenia gravis.

METHODSFrom January 2005 to February 2006, VATET had been performed for 41 patients of myasthenia gravis. Among them, 23 patients were female and 18 were male. The age ranged from 18 to 67 years old, and the disease duration ranged from 1 month to 3 years. In order to achieve maximal benefit, a transverse cervical incision was given access to the peri-thyroid space to remove fat in the neck which may contain ectopic thymus after all thymic tissue, including far-reaching ectopic sites. Peri-thymic adipose tissue in the anterior mediastinum was completely removed.

RESULTSIn the 41 patients, mean operative time was 162 min. Sever patients sustained myasthenic crises that required reintubation and mechanical ventilation for a few days. Of all patients, 35 had lymphadenectasis, and 4 had ectopic thymus in the peri-thyroid space. After the 2 years' follow-up, the rate of complete stable remission was 41.4%, and the effective rate was 85.4%.

CONCLUSIONSVideo-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy represents a safe and valid approach for patients with myasthenia gravis. VATET may be a complement to completely remove all thymus including ectopic tissues.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myasthenia Gravis ; surgery ; Thoracoscopy ; Thymectomy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of endothelial cell-targeted therapy to cure post-burn hypertrophic scar.

METHODSA hypertrophic scar animal model was made. Intralesional injecting of VEGF monoclonal antibody was performed for three weeks. The changes of scar in volume and morphology were observed.

RESULTS1. The volume of scar decreased. 2. The number of the capillary, the amount of collagen I and collagen III decreased. 3. Transmission electron microscope examinations demonstrated many dead or apoptotic fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Fibrocytes were seen relatively common.

CONCLUSIONVEGF induces the growth and development of hypertrophic scar in that it induces excessive and uncontrollable angiogenesis, which favors excessive collagen synthesis. Endothelial cell-targeted therapy may be a promising method to cure post-burn hypertrophic scar.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Burns ; complications ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; chemically induced ; therapy ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type III ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endothelial Cells ; Feasibility Studies ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; etiology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of Saw Palmetto Extract Capsules in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe conducted a multi-centered open clinical study on 165 BPH patients treated with Saw Palmetto Extract Capsules at a dose of 160 mg qd for 12 weeks. At the baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of medication, we compared the International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS), prostate volume, postvoid residual urine volume, urinary flow rate, quality of life scores (QOL), and adverse events between the two groups of patients.

RESULTSCompared with the baseline, both IPSS and QOL were improved after 6 weeks of medication, and at 12 weeks, significant improvement was found in IPSS, QOL, urinary flow rate, and postvoid residual urine. Mild stomachache occurred in 1 case, which necessitated no treatment.

CONCLUSIONSaw Palmetto Extract Capsules were safe and effective for the treatment of BPH.

Capsules ; Humans ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of iloprost in acute vasodilatation test during cardiac catheterization and to explore a useful hemodynamic indication regarding operability in the patients with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) related to congenital heart disease (CHD).

METHODSThe clinical data of 46 patients [mean age (12 ± 9) years] with severe PH related to CHD from June 2006 to December 2008 was retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent standard right and left cardiac catheterization and a trial of inhaled iloprost test during cardiac catheterization. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure was (80 ± 13) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) and pulmonary vascular resistance index was (17 ± 10) wood.m². A positive response to inhaled iloprost was defined as a decrease of at least 20% in pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) without changes on systemic artery pressure. Patients with positive response to iloprost underwent cardiac surgical repair. The pulmonary artery pressure and PVRI was monitored by Swan-Ganz catheter postoperatively.

RESULTSOf the 46 patients, 29 (63.1%) showed a positive response after iloprost inhalation, defined by a significant reduction in PVRI from (15 ± 6) wood.m(2) at baseline to (9 ± 4) wood.m² in response to iloprost inhalation therapy (P < 0.05). The ratio of pulmonary to systemic resistance (Rp/Rs) decreased from 0.7 ± 0.2 to 0.4 ± 0.2 (P < 0.05). Seventeen patients (36.9%) didn't respond to iloprost displayed only little changes in PVRI [from (21 ± 10) wood.m(2) to (19 ± 9) wood.m²] and Rp/Rs (from 1.0 ± 0.5 to 0.9 ± 0.5). Out of 29 positive patients, 21 (72%) underwent successful cardiac surgical repair with a reduction of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) to an average of (27 ± 10) mm Hg after the operation. Only 2 patients out of the 17 patients from the negative group were referred to surgery. Their mPAP was greater than 45 mm Hg.

CONCLUSIONSA significant reduction in pulmonary artery pressure after cardiac surgery was observed in patients with positive response to inhaled iloprost. Inhaled iloprost may be a valuable tool in the preoperative evaluation of patients with severe PH related to CHD.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Iloprost ; pharmacology ; Infant ; Lung ; blood supply ; Male ; Preoperative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology ; Young Adult

Postpartum visits (PPVs) are still underutilized in rural China, and identification of factors that influence PPV use is important in ensuring the utilization of maternal health services and for wellbeing of women. A cross-section study was undertaken to collect related data from 347 rural women interviewed six weeks or more after delivery, and an ANOVA was performed to find whether there were significant differences in the number of PPVs among different rural areas in China. According to Andersen's socio-behavioral model of health service use, factors were divided into equitable and inequitable ones. Chi-squared test, univariate and multiple analyses were used to determine the equity of PPV use by identifying factors that were most strongly associated with the use of a PPV. The results showed that 20.2% of the respondents (n=70) did not receive any PPVs, and 62.5% (n=173) of those who had PPVs (n=277) did not receive standard PPVs (referring to at least 3 visits). There was no significant difference among different rural areas in terms of the number of PPVs (F=1.514, P=0.211). Multiple regression analyses revealed that enabling factors such as compensation for delivery expense [OR (95% CI)=2.825 (1.331, 5.995)], village type [OR (95% CI)=1.802 (1.021, 3.182)] and service quality [OR (95% CI)=1.847 (1.074, 3.176)] were strongly associated with PPV use. Both enabling factors such as home visits [OR (95% CI)=1.855 (1.085, 3.174)], service quality [OR (95% CI)=1.993 (1.155, 3.439)] and need factors such as low birth weight [OR (95% CI)=4.424 (1.482, 13.203)] were significantly associated with standard PPV use. Our results suggested that the equitable access to PPVs has been considerably improved in rural areas in China. The associations between inequitable factors and PPV use warrant further exploration, and policies aimed at improving quality and patterns of service supply are needed in order to ensure a full equitable access to maternal health services.
Adult ; Ambulatory Care ; China ; Female ; Health Services Accessibility ; Humans ; Maternal Welfare ; Postnatal Care ; Postpartum Period ; Quality of Health Care ; Rural Population ; Social Planning