Saw palmetto fruit extract (SPE), as a herbal product, is widely used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Recent studies show that SPE also has some therapeutic effects on chronic prostatitis, prostate cancer, sexual dysfunction, and so on. This article presents an overview on the application of SPE in the treatment of BPH, prostate cancer, and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, with a discussion on its action mechanisms.
Chronic Disease ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Pelvic Pain ; drug therapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Prostatic Diseases ; drug therapy ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; Syndrome

Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine postconditioning on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats.Methods Fifty male Spragne-Dawley rats,aged 7-8 weeks,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 5 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),LPS group and postconditioning with 3 different doses of dexmedetomidine groups (LD,MD and HD groups).ALI was induced with LPS 8 mg/kg injected via the caudal vein in LPS,LD,MD and HD groups.Dexmedetomidine 5,10 and 15 μg/kg were injected intraperitoneally in LD,MD and HD groups,respectively,at 1 h after LPS injection.The equal volume of normal saline was injected intraperitoneally in C and L groups.Blood samples were taken from the left ventricle at 6 h after dexmedetomidine administration,then the animals were sacrificed and broncheoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected.The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in plasma and BALF were detected by ELISA.The lungs were removed for microscopic examination of pathological changes and for determination of wet/dry lung weight (W/D) ratio and expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA (by RT-PCR) in lung tissues.Results Compared with group C,W/D ratio,pathological scores,and the concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α in plasma and BALF were significantly increased,and the expression of TLR4 mRNA was up-regulated in LPS,LD,MD and HD groups.Compared with LPS and LD groups,W/D ratio,pathological scores,and the concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α in plasma and BALF were significantly decreased,and the expression of TLR4 mRNA was down-regulated in MD and HD groups.There was no significant difference in the parameters mentioned above between LPS and LD groups,and between MD and HD groups.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine postconditioning can alleviate ALI induced by LPS in rats,and up-regulated TLR4 mRNA expression and reduced inflammatory responses may be involved in the mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Thoracolumbar fracture is most common seen in spinal fractures. The paraspinal muscle is subjected to extensive detachment and traction in traditional posterior approach, so the muscular ischemia and denervation lead to muscle atrophy further inducing intractable low back pain. Thereafter, minimally invasive spinal surgery becomes more and more popular.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of pedicle screw fixation through Wiltse approach combined with injectable calcium sulfate bone cement for single-level thoracolumbar fracture.METHODS: Clinical data of 52 patients with single-level thoracolumbar fracture without nerve injury were analyzed retrospectively, and were then assigned to observation (n=28) and control groups (n=24) according to the treatment method. The patients in the observation group were treated with pedicle screw fixation through Wiltse approach plus implanted with injectable calcium sulfate bone cement, and those in the control group were subjected to pedicle screw fixation through posterior approach plus implanted with injectable calcium sulfate bone cement. The operation time, blood loss and hospitalization time were compared between two groups. The low back pain was observed at baseline, 1 week and 3 months postoperatively, and the percentage of anterior vertebral height revealed on X-ray was observed at baseline, before ambulation, and during last follow-up. Moreover, the complications, loosening and rupture of the screws were recorded.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All patients were followed up, and the follow-up time was 16-24 months. (2) The operation time, blood loss and hospitalization time in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group (P < 0.05). (3) The postoperative visual analogue scale scores in the two groups were significantly lower than those before surgery, and the scores showed significant differences between two groups (P < 0.05). (4) The percentage of anterior vertebral height before ambulation and during last follow-up in the two groups was significantly improved, and the percentage showed significant difference between two groups at each time point (P < 0.05). (5) These findings suggest that based on strict indications, the pedicle screw fixation through Wiltse approach combined with injectable calcium sulfate bone cement is safe for single-level thoracolumbar fracture, which restores the anterior vertebral height rapidly, alleviates pain and exhibits satisfactory long-term efficacy. Furthermore, it holds shorter operation time and less blood loss than the traditional approach.

BACKGROUND:Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation has been applied in the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture,and has achieved satisfactory clinical efficacy.Injectable calcium sulfate holds good biocompatibility,degradability and fast curing.OBJECTIVE:To explore the clinical efficacy of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined with calcium sulfate cement for single-level thoracolumbar fracture.METHODS:Clinical data of 40 patients with single-level thoracolumbar fracture without nerve injury were analyzed retrospectively.All fractured vertebrae were compressed more than 30％ and at least one pedicle was complete.All patients were treated with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined with calcium sulfate cement.The Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores were recorded at baseline,3 months postoperatively and last follow-up;the height of the fractured vertebra body and sagittal Cobb angle were measured on X-ray;the patient's satisfaction and healing rate were recorded.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The Oswestry Disability Index at 3 months postoperatively and last follow-up was 16.3％ and 4.4％,respectively.Compared with baseline,the Cobb angle and Visual Analog Scale scores were significantly reduced,and height of the fractured vertebra body was significantly increased after surgery (P ＜ 0.01).(3) The healing rate at last follow-up was 95％,nonunion was not found,and the patients' satisfaction reached 95％.(4) The loss of vertebral height and Cobb angle was found at last follow-up compared with 3 months postoperatively,but had no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).(5) These results indicate that percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined with calcium sulfate cement is safe and reliable for single-level thoraclumbar fracture,which not only restores the vertebral height and relieves pain,but also has satisfactory long-term curative efficacy and high healing rate.

Background Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a serious ocular disease which may cause blindness.The primary pathogenesis of NVG is ischemic retinopathy derived by central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and diabetic retinopathy (DR).Clinical characteristics of NVG are variable based on the difference of primary diseases,such as CRVO and DR.However,there is a few studies regarding the diffcrcnces of NVG initiated by CRVO and DR.Objective This study was to compare the clinical characteristics in NVG patients secondary to CRVO and DR.Methods A series case observational study was carried out in Hiserve Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2009 to June 2012.Twenty-nine eyes of 27 patients with NVG caused by CRVO (10 eyes of 10 patients) and DR (19 eyes of 17 patients) were included.The history of underlying diseases,course of NVG,intraocular pressure(IOP),fundus findings and complications after treatment were analyzed and compared between the CRVO-derived NVG and DR-derived NVG.All patients underwent panretinal photocoagulation,improving microcirculation therapy,anti-glaucoma (drug or surgery) and causative disease treatment,and some of them received vitrectomy or/and cataract surgery.Two eyes from each group received intravitreal injection of ranibizumab.The follow-up time in both groups was (14.00±10.13) months and (17.89±12.52) months,respectively.Results The median time of underlying disease was 3.3 months (2 weeks to 6 months) in the CRVO patients and 11.1 months (4 to 36 mouths) in the DR patients,with a significant difference between them (Z =-2.40,P＜0.05).CRVO-derived NVG progress was much faster than that of DR-derived NVG.The number of the eyes with visual acuity improvement after treatment was 2 in the CRVO-derived NVG and 15 in the DR-derived NVG;while the number of the eyes with unchanged or worse visual acuity was 8 and 4 in the CRVO-derived NVG eyes and the DR-derived NVG eyes (x2 =9.38,P＜0.01).The difference of IOP in pre-and post-treatment was (37.00±9.91)mmHg in the CRVOderived NVG eyes and (8.92±12.05)mmHg in the DR-derived NVG eyes,showing a significant difference between them (t =6.30,P＜0.01).In the CRVO-derived NVG eyes,optic disc edema,retinal hemorrhage,and vein dilatation were seen in 6 eyes,and mild optic disc edema and retinal hemorrhage were observed in 4 eyes.After treatment,fundus could not be seen in 4 eyes,in other 2 eyes optic disc and retinal laser spots were unclearly observed.In addition,pale optic disc and retinal vessel occlusion appeared in 2 eyes,and silver wire-like arteries exhibited in 2 eyes.In pre-treated DR-derived NVG eyes,fundus could not be seen in 8 eyes and Ⅲ-Ⅳv stages of DR findings appeared in 11 eyes.After treatment,retinopathy was stabilized in 16 eyes of 15 cases.Advanced retinopathy(V-Ⅵ stages of DR findings) was revealed in 3 eyes of 3 cases.The incidence of the complication after treatment was 100.0％ in the CRVO-derived NVG eyes and 21.1％ in the DR-derived NVG eyes (x2=5.18,P＜0.05).Conclusions The clinical characteristics of NVG secondary to CRVO and DR are variable,an appropriate treatment option should be selected according to different features of NVG.

Objective To investigate the variance of cost-effectiveness when treat acute myocardial infaretion of different severe extents with different pattern.Methods Acute myocardial infarction patients were selected from emergency eommand center of Guangzhou from October 2003 to December 2005.These patients wew assigned by the center to First-Class Hospitals at Grade 3 and First-class Hospital at Grade 2,and were followed up after 6 months after post-discharge.Cost in hospital and mortality in hospital were registered.The health of all patients were quantificated using SF-36.According to the assigned hospitals,the patients were divided into single infarction group and complex infarction group.Cost in hospital,mortality in hospital,short-term quality of life were compared between the them.Results Compared with and First-Class Hospital at Grade 2 (101 cases),the single infarction patients in First-Class Hospitals at Grade 3 had higber costs in hospital (P=0.016),better society function,affection role,mental health and health status (P

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture on force-displacement value (FDV) of muscle state and electrophysiology of the muscle in rabbits with lumbar nerve root compression.

METHODSThirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a control, a model, an electro-acupuncture acupoints (EAA), a medication, and an electro-acupuncture un-acupoints (EAU) group. All rabbits except those in the control group were subject to modeling (surgical lumbar nerve root compression). The control group was sham-operated without nerve root compression. The EAA group received electro-acupuncture at bilateral Shenshu (BL23) and Dachangshu (BL25) that were located 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior midline on the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd and 4th lumbar vertebra, respectively. The EA was 15 mm deep and the frequency was 2 Hz. Each session lasted for 20 min per day for a total of 14 times. The medication group was treated with Loxoprofen sodium by gastrogavage at 4 mg/kg per day for 14 days. The EAU group received electro-acupuncture identical to the EAA group with regard to the treatment frequency and duration except a different acupoint at the tip of rabbit tail. Muscle states were determined by measuring FDVs of the bilateral biceps femoris using the Myotonometer® fast muscle state detector. Meanwhile, the prolonged and non-prolonged insertion potentials were measured by electromyography before and after modeling and after treatment. Latency, amplitude (Amp) of evoked potential, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) were also determined after treatment.

RESULTS(1) After modeling, FDVs of right side activation (RSA, P=0.003) and right side relaxation (RSR) in the model group (P=0.000) were significantly decreased in comparison to the control group. The number of rabbits with non-prolonged insertion potentials in the model group was also significantly decreased (P=0.015) in comparison to the control group. (2) After treatment, FDVs of RSR were significantly increased in the EAA (P=0.000) and medication groups (P=0.018) in comparison to the model group. The increase in FDVs of RSR in the EAA group was significantly higher than that in EAU (P=0.000) and medication groups (P=0.002). MNCV in the model group was reduced compared with the control group (P=0.000). The reduction in MNCV after modeling was reversed in the EAA group (P=0.000) and medication group (P=0.008) after treatment and the increases were significant in both treatment groups in comparison to the model group. The EAA group had a greater MNCV recovery than the medication group (P=0.022).

CONCLUSIONElectro-acupuncture could improve the rehabilitation and regeneration of FDVs and the electrophysiology index of the muscle with nerve control impairment.

Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Electromyography ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Evoked Potentials ; physiology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Motor Neurons ; physiology ; Muscles ; physiopathology ; Neural Conduction ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Radiculopathy ; physiopathology ; therapy

Objective To explore the insulation effect of the coating so as to relieve the influence of solar overtemperature on the tent system.Methods The tent had an integrated structure with multi cavity and air column support,and the confined space was composed of the dual-layer tent body.There were 4 measuring points in the tent,of which,one was at the filter vent,two ones at the ceiling lamp and the remained one above the curtain in the buffer area.The tent was deployed in summer outdoor environment,four thermographs were used for real-time recording of intemal temperature changes in the tents with or without coating,and the recording began at 8:00 am and stopped at 5:00 pm.Comparison proved there was no significant differences between the measured values by the four thermographs (P＞0.05),and correlation analysis was executed based on numerical trend and variance analysis.Results The coating tent had the internal temperature lower than that in the non-coating tent,which had low mean temperature and low temperature range.The internal temperature in the coating tent was lower than ambient temperature at noon and afternoon,which meant the coating tent could lower the temperature effectively even in the duration at high temperature.Concusion Thermal insulation coating applied to the tent relieves the solar overtemperature effect effectively,and thus enhances the the tent's thermal environment adaptability.

Reproductive tract infection is one of the factors of male infertility, but the mechanisms responsible are hitherto poorly defined. Recent studies show that one of the microbial pattern-recognition receptors, Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway, plays a critical role in inflammation-induced male infertility. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component in the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, could induce inflammatory response through TLRs. A large number of researches suggest that TLRs express widely in the male reproductive tract and LPS-induced inflammatory reaction through TLRs may affect male fertility. This article presents an overview on how LPS-induced inflammation through TLRs affects male fertility in terms of its influence on the testis, epididymis and sperm quality.
Genital Diseases, Male ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; metabolism ; pathology ; Inflammation ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Male ; Toll-Like Receptors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of multiglycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii (MTW) for treatment of proteinuria in kidney transplant recipients.

METHODForty-five kidney transplant recipients with proternuria were randomized into 3 groups (n=15) and received full daily dose (1 mg/kg) MTW, half dose (0.5 mg/kg) MTW or no MTW (control) in addition to immunosuppressant therapy. The 24-hour urinary protein (24 h Upro), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), dose of ciclosporin and the adverse effects of MTW were recorded.

RESULTSMTW at both the full dose and half dose significantly reduced the 24 h Upro as compared to exclusive immunosuppressant therapy (P<0.05). The therapeutic dose of ciclosporin in patients with full and half dose of MTW was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the patients receiving full dose MTW showed greater adverse effects than those having half dose MTW (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMTW can significantly ameliorate proteinuria, reduce the therapeutic dose of ciclosporin and protect the renal function in kidney transplant recipients. While producing similar therapeutic effect to routine full dose, long-term use of half dose MTW may reduce the adverse effect associated with MTW.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Glycosides ; therapeutic use ; Graft Survival ; immunology ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proteinuria ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; Young Adult