OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of simvastatin on the proliferation and apoptosis of prostatic epithelial RWPE-1 cells.

METHODSRWPE-1 cells cultured in vitro were treated with simvastatin at 0, 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L for 24, 48, and 72 hours followed by determination of their proliferation by MTT assay, and their apoptosis by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and Cx43 were detected by fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSAfter 72 hours of treatment with simvastatin at 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L, the inhibition rates of the RWPE-1 cells were (21.07 ± 6.41)%, (34.87 ± 9.65)%, and (47.18 ± 10.88)%, respectively, significantly higher than (1.21 ± 0.54)% in the control group (P < 0.05) and in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05); the cell apoptosis rates were (0.066 ± 0.016)%, (0.126 ± 0.023)%, and (0.192 ± 0.025)%, respectively, remarkably higher than (0.015 ± 0.005)% in the control (P < 0.05) and also in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05); the mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2 were decreasing while those of Bax and Cx43 increasing with the increased concentration of simvastatin (P < 0.05). The expression of Cx43 was correlated negatively with that of Bcl-2 but positively with that of Bax.

CONCLUSIONSimvastatin inhibits the proliferation of prostate epithelial cells and induce their apoptosis by acting on the gap junctional intercellular communication.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Male ; Prostate ; cytology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Simvastatin ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo determine whether oral statins can delay the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

METHODSWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of 50-69-year-old males who came for physical examination in our hospital between January 2003 and December 2008. We designed the inclusion criteria, followed them up for 5 years, and investigated the relationship of oral statins with the clinical progression of BPH and LUTS.

RESULTSTotally, 653 men met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study, of whom 283 were treated with oral statins (group 1) while the other 370 with none (group 2). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age and baseline IPSS, Qmax, and prostate volume (PV) (P > 0.05). During the follow-up, 24 cases in group 1 and 35 cases in group 2 were excluded for obvious dys-uria. A gradual increase was observed in IPSS in both groups 1 and 2 year by year from the baseline to the 5th year of follow-up, but significantly lower in the former group (4.27 +/- 1.16, 4.63 +/- 1.05, 5.27 +/- 0.96, 6.41 +/- 1.04, 7.21 +/- 1.21, and 7.93 +/-1.50) than in the latter (4.24 +/- 1.35, 5.26 +/- 1.23, 6.84 +/- 1.20, 8.75 +/- 1.84, 10.82 +/- 3.01, and 12.98 +/- 4.21) (P < 0.01); a gradual decrease was seen in Qmax, though markedly higher in group 1 ([26.56 +/- 2.09], [24.06 +/- 1.94], [21.33 +/- 1.66], [19.24 +/- 1.54], [17.44 +/- 1.53], and [16.27 +/- 1.37] ml/s) than in group 2 ([26.74 +/- 2.40], [23.62 +/- 2.01], [20.63 +/- 1.69], [17.72 +/- 1.48], [14.82 +/- 1.11], and [11.86 +/- 1.24] ml/s) (P < 0.01); and a gradual increase was found in PV, but remarkably smaller in the former group ([19.82 +/- 4.94], [22.60 +/- 4.99], [25.80 +/- 5.20], [27.92 +/- 5.05], [29.11 +/- 5.24], and [29.97 +/- 5.26] ml) than in the latter ([20.21 +/- 4.78], [24.30 +/- 4.98], [28.50 +/- 5.14], [32.84 +/- 4.77], [36.99 +/- 4.78], and [40.90 +/- 4.78] ml) (P < 0.01). Longer medication of statins was associated with better efficacy.

CONCLUSIONOral statins can significantly delay the clinical progression of BPH and LUTS.

Aged ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Longitudinal Studies ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To discuss the methods and effects of clinical pharmacists in the Chinese and western medicine pharmaceu-tical care for one myelitis patient infected by brucellosis. Methods:Taking one myelitis patient infected by brucellosis as the example, clinical pharmacists provided Chinese and western medicine pharmaceutical care through making individualized drug regimen, perform-ing drug education and so on. Results:Clinical pharmacists participated in the therapeutic process actively, and performed Chinese and western medicine pharmaceutical care. As a result, the body temperature, look,tongue coating and excrement of the patient were obvi-ously improved. Conclusion:Performing Chinese and western medicine pharmaceutical care in clinics is very important for safety and effectiveness of drugs and improvement of drug use level.

OBJECTIVETo develop a quantitative method for the determination of akebia saponin D in root of Dipacus asperoides and provide scientific basis for quality control of D. asperoides.

METHODAn IPLC analytical method was established using Kromasil ODS column with acetonitrile-water (30:70) as mobile phase and the detection wavelength was 212 nm.

RESULTThe akebia saponin D in root extract were well separated by this method. The linear range is between 0.582 5-9.32 microg, r = 0.9999. The average recovery and RSD of repeatability are 100.3%, 2.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThis method is simple, accurate and reliable by evaluating the method validation data and can be used for the quality control of D. asperoides and its preparations.

China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dipsacaceae ; chemistry ; Ecosystem ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Saponins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo assess clinical therapeutic effect and safety of acupuncture combined with fuxiting on depression.

METHODSFifty-three cases of depression were divided into an observation group (n = 30) treated by acupuncture combined with fuxiting and a control group treated by fuxiting. Their clinical therapeutic effects were assessed by HAMD, HAMA and CGI, and adverse effects by TESS.

RESULTSAfter treatment of 6 weeks, the total effective rate was 80.0% in the observation group and 69.6% in the control group with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in scores of HAMD and HAMA before and after treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The adverse effect in the observation group was less and milder than that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined fuxiting has good therapeutic effect on depression with less and mild adverse effects.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Depression ; therapy ; Depressive Disorder ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo discuss the application of perforator-based flap for repair of refractory sacral, ischial and trochanter wounds.

METHODSVacuum sealing drainage (VSD) were applied for all the wounds for 6 - 21 days and cutaneous perforator was detected by Doppler before operation. According to the location of the perforator arteries, different types of perforator-based flaps were used to cover the wounds on the buttocks.

RESULTSSince 2005, 18 wounds in 14 patients were treated, including 11 sacral, 5 ischial and 2 trochanter defects. All flaps survived with primary healing.All the patients were followed up for 2 to 24 months with no ulcer relapse. The colour and texture of the flaps were excellent with satisfactory cosmetic results.

CONCLUSIONThe gluteal perforator-based flaps have reliable blood supply with less morbidity in donor sites. It is an optimal method in repairing refractory wounds of the gluteal region.

Adult ; Aged ; Buttocks ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively investigate the difference in survival of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients treated by radical surgery with or without adjuvant radiation therapy.

METHODSForty-four patients with pancreatic cancer underwent surgical resection with a curative intent, and were divided into two groups: surgery alone (n = 24) or surgery combined with postoperative external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) (n = 20). Survival as an endpoint was analyzed between the two groups.

RESULTSAll 44 patients completed their scheduled treatment. The median survival time of the patients treated with radical resection alone was 379 days versus 665 days for those treated with combined therapy. The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates of the patients treated with radical resection alone were 46.3%, 8.3%, 4.2% versus 65.2%, 20.2%, 14.1% for the patients treated with combined therapy, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.017). The failures in local-regional relapse were significantly lower in the postoperative EBRT group than that in the surgery alone group (P < 0.05), while the additional postoperative radiation therapy did not increase the complication rate (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPostoperative external beam radiation therapy can improve the survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatectomy ; methods ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Postoperative Period ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo explore how to determine painful vertebrae treated by kyphoplasty in multiple-level osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and clinical outcome.

METHODSFrom October 2002 to June 2005, 51 consecutive procedures with kyphoplasty were performed on 35 patients with multiple-level osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. There were 51 painful vertebrae among 120 vertebral compression fractures. The painful vertebra was determined by the signal intensity changes in MR images, combined with radiography and local percussion pain before operation. Only painful vertebrae were treated by kyphoplasty. Preoperative, postoperative and final follow-up visual analog scale (VAS) and radiographic findings such as vertebral height and Cobb angle were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSAll patients tolerated the procedure well with immediate relief of their back pain after kyphoplasty and they can walk at 1-3 days after the procedure. There were 3 vertebrae (3/51) occurred asymptomatic extravasation of cement. 31 cases were followed up for mean 16.2 months (range 6-44 months). VAS reduced from preoperative 8.7 to final follow-up 2.1 (P <0. 01). At final follow-up the vertebral height had a recovery rate of 59.17%, and the mean Cobb angle was improved 10.1 degrees. There was a significant improvement between preoperative and final follow-up values (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe painful vertebra can be determined by signal intensity changes in MR series images in multiple-level osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Selecting painful vertebrae to be treated by kyphoplasty can make patients with multiple-level VCFs gain an excellent result.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Compression ; diagnosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; complications ; Prospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Vertebroplasty ; methods

Objective To explore the characteristics and their influencing factors of economic burden for pneumoconiosis disease,and to provide a baseline to develop the prevention measures and to reduce the economic burden of pneumoconiosis. Methods The retrospective epidemiological method was used to investigate the general information of pneumoconiosis cases,frequency of outpatient and hospitalization per year,medical expenditure. Direct economic loss and its influencing factors of pneumoconiosis patients were analyzed. Results A total of 421 pneumoconiosis cases were investigated. All subjects were male,including 306 inpatients. The average medical expenditures of outpatient and inpatient were 594. 53 ± 336. 23 and 32 266. 06 ± 28 130. 67 Yuan,respectively. The annual average expenditures of outpatient and inpatient were 2 907. 25 and 48 721. 75 Yuan,respectively. In terms of health care costs,the highest proportion of western medicine was 44. 08% ,followed by traditional Chinese medicine(12. 62% ). With an increase in pneumoconiosis stage,the annual frequency of outpatient and hospitalization,as well as total expenditure increased accordingly. The average annual cost of pneumoconiosis inpatient with complications and non - complication inpatient were 55 822. 20 and 23 532. 21 Yuan,respectively. The annual average cost of outpatient with complications and without complications were 4 236. 41 and 882. 31 Yuan, respectively. The expenditures for pneumoconiosis disease with complications among outpatient and inpatient were significantly higher than those of pneumoconiosis patients without complications(P < 0. 05). Conclusion Direct economic loss of pneumoconiosis disease is relatively high. The disease stage and complications of pneumoconiosis are the main factors influencing the direct economic loss of pneumoconiosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs4379368, rs10504861, rs10915437, rs12134493 and rs13208321) were recently identified in a Western population with migraine. These migraine-associated SNPs have not been evaluated in a Han Chinese population. This study investigated the associations of specific SNPs with migraine in a Han population. METHODS: This was a case-control study of Han Chinese residing in Fujian Province. Polymerase chain reaction—restriction-fragment-length polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing were used to characterize the relationships of SNPs in a control group of 200 subjects and in a migraine group of 201 patients. RESULTS: The frequencies of the five SNPs did not differ between patients with migraine and healthy non migraine controls. However, subgroup analysis indicated certain SNPs were more strongly associated with migraine with aura or migraine without aura than with controls. The CT genotype of rs4379368 was more common in migraine patients with aura (75%) than in migraine patients without aura (47.9%) and controls (48.5%) (p<0.05), and the TT genotype of rs10504861 was more common in migraine patients with aura than in controls (8.3% vs. 0.5%) (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the CC genotype of rs12134493 was less common in migraine patients without aura than in controls (80.6% vs. 88%) (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the rs4379368 and rs10504861 SNPs are markers for susceptibility to migraine with aura and that rs12134493 is a marker for the risk of migraine without aura in this Han population. Future studies should further explore if these associations vary by ethnicity.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Case-Control Studies ; Epilepsy ; Genotype ; Humans ; Migraine Disorders* ; Migraine with Aura ; Migraine without Aura ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide