OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy difference in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome of Sev-damp-heat stagnation pattern between acupoint catgut embedding therapy and western medication.

METHODSenty cases were randomized into a catgut embedding group (40 cases) and a western medication group (30 cases) at the ratio of 4 : 3. In the catgut embedding group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied to Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Quchi (LI 11), Huiyin (CV 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongji (CV 3), Shenshu (BL 23), etc. The treatment was given once every two weeks, the treatment for 4 weeks was as one session and totally 2 sessions were required. In the western medication group, tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules 0. 2 mg, oral administration, once a day, and Indometacin sustained release tablets, 75 mg, once a day, 3 tablets each time were prescribed. The symptom score of TCM, score of NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), lecithin body number in prostatic fluid, (SAS) score of Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and score of Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were compared before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups. The efficacy was evaluated in the two groups.

RESULTS(1)The total effective rate was 91. 9% (34/37) in the catgutembedding group and was 86. 2% (25/29) in the western medication group. The efficacy in the catgutembedding group was better than that in the western medication group (P<0. 05). (2) The symptom score of TCM was all reduced significantly after treatment in the two groups (both P<0.01), and the result in the catgut embedding group was superior to the western medication group (6.42 +/-2. 81 vs 10. 99+/-3. 11 ,P<0. 01). (3) Lecithin body number was increased apparently in the two groups after treatment (both P<0.01), and the result in the catgut-embedding group was superior to the western medicine group (33.56+/-5.88 vs 29. 78+/-7. 06,P<0. 05). (4) Total score of NIH-CPSI, score of pain, score of SAS and score of SDS were all improved apparently after treatment in the two groups (all P<0. 01), and the results in the catgut embedding group were superior to the western medication group (P<0. 01, P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint catgut embedding therapy achieves the superior efficacy on chronic pelvic pain syndrome of damp-heat stagnation pattern as compared with conventional western medicine. This therapy relieves clinical symptoms, improves the states of anxiety and depression and increases lecithin body number obviously.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Pain ; therapy ; Prostatitis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of the common Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome pattern of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) with the contents of substance p and beta endorphin in the plasma, and provide reference data for the clinical diagnosis, differentiation and treatment of CPPS by TCM.

METHODSWe observed 98 cases of CPPS, which were classified into a lower-part damp-heat invasion group (group A, n = 32), a blood stasis-induced collateral obstruction group (group B, n = 34), and a damp-heat stagnation group (group C, n = 32) according to the TCM syndrome differentiation. Another 35 normal healthy young men were enrolled as controls. We measured the contents of substance p and beta endorphin in the plasma by immunoradiometry and ELISA, and analyzed their relationship with the TCM syndrome pattern.

RESULTSThe contents of plasma substance p were significantly higher in groups A ([1135.76 +/- 166.45] pg/ml), B ([1 337.84 +/- 170.81] pg/ml), and C ([1 210.01 +/- 162.27] pg/ml) than in the control ([574.99 +/- 113.09] pg/ml) (all P < 0.01), while the contents of plasma beta endorphin in groups A ([212.70 +/- 29.49] pg/ml), B ([157.99 +/- 24.01] pg/ml), and C ([180.81 +/- 20.20] pg/ml) were remarkably lower than that in the control ([274.73 +/- 27.64] pg/ml) (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn the plasma of CPPS patients, the content of substance p is significantly elevated and that of beta endorphin markedly reduced, which suggests that they may be involved in the inflammatory reaction of CPPS. The levels of plasma substance p and beta endorphin can be used as valuable reference for the TCM classification of chronic prostatitis.

Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects ; Pelvic Pain ; blood ; classification ; Prostatitis ; blood ; classification ; Substance P ; blood ; Syndrome ; beta-Endorphin ; blood

Objective To explore the difference in the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) between different seasons.Methods The present retrospective study examined 2 363 patients undergoing TKA or THA from August 2008 to February 2016.There were 653 male and 1 710 female with the average age of 64.44±13.03 years old (17-91 years old),including 954 patients in TKA and 1 409 in THA.All of the patients received anticoagulant drugs and were compressed with a pressure pump starting on the first postoperative night.Routine venography of the bilateral lower limbs was performed at 3-5 days after the operation.The incidence of DVT in different seasons and different age groups (≥65 years old and ＜65 years old) were counted.Results The present study suggested that the probabilities of DVT after arthroplasty in spring,summer,fall and winter were 15.85％ (116/732),14.92％ (71/476),17.88％ (108/604),22.50％ (124/551) respectively with significantly difference (P＜0.05).The incidence of DVT in winter was higher than that in spring and summer (P＜ 0.017).The probabilities of DVT after TKA in spring,summer,fall and winter were 19.09％ (59/309),15.67％ (37/236),18.11％ (44/243),27.71％ (46/166) respectively with significantly difference (P＜0.05).The incidence of DVT in winter was higher than that in summer (P＜0.017).The probabilities of DVT after THA in spring,summer,fall and winter were 13.48％ (57/423),14.17％ (34/240),17.73％ (64/361),20.26％ (78/385) respectively with significantly difference (P＜0.05),and that in winter was higher than in spring (P＜0.017).The symptomatic DVT after arthroplasty in spring,summer,fall and winter were 3.55％ (26/732),3.78％ (18/476),4.97％ (30/604),6.90％ (38/551) with significantly difference in different seasons (P＜0.05),and that in winter was higher than in spring (P＜0.017).The symptomatic DVT after TKA in spring,summer,fall and winter were 3.88％ (12/309),4.24％ (10/236),4.94％ (12/243),9.64％ (16/166) with significantly difference in different seasons (P＜0.05).The symptomatic DVT in winter was higher than that in spring (P＜0.017).The symptomatic DVT after THA in spring,summer,fall and winter were 3.31％ (14/423),3.33％ (8/240),4.99％ (18/361),5.71％ (22/385) respectively (P＞0.05).The probability of DVT following arthroplasty in older patients (age≥65 years old) in spring,summer,fall and winter were 18.49％ (76/411),16.61％ (45/271),22.07％ (81/367),28.05％ (99/353) with significantly difference among the groups (P＜0.05),while symptomatic DVT in older patients (≥65 years old) in spring,summer,fall and winter were 4.38％ (18/411),4.43％ (12/271),5.72％ (21/367),8.78％ (31/353) respectively with significantly difference (P＜0.05).The probability of DVT in four seasons were 12.46％ (40/321),12.68％ (26/205),11.39％ (27/237),12.63％ (25/198) in younger patients (＜65 years old).However,the difference was not detected among different seasons (P＞0.05).The probability of symptomatic DVT in four seasons were 2.49％ (8/321),2.93％ (6/205),3.80％ (9/237),3.54％ (7/198) in younger patients (＜65 years old) without significant difference (P＞0.05).Conclusion Seasonal variations could place an important effect on the incidence of DVT following TKA or THA,especially for the old patients with age ≥65 years.

To investigate the prognostic effects of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy without antibiotics in treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Objective To investigate the role of circulating neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) levels in the postoperative formation of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Circulating NET levels were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7 in 30 patients diagnosed with DVT by venography after TKA and 30 controls from May 2014 to July 2015. Results In patients with DVT, the mean circulating NET levels were significantly higher on postoperative days 1 and 3 compared with those in the non?DVT group (postoperative day 1, 1.598 ± 0.067 vs. 1.212 ± 0.037, t=7.514, P=0.000;postoperative day 3, 1.305±0.044 vs. 1.167±0.032, t=2.675, P=0.015). ROC curve analysis revealed the inferior sensitivity and specificity of NET levels on postoperative day 3 compared with postoperative day 1. Area under the curve (AUC) postoperative day 1 was 0.828 (95%CI:0.722, 0.933, P=0.000);AUC postoperative day 3 was 0.677 (95%CI:0.541, 0.814, P=0.018). The cutoff point for NET levels on postoperative day 1 was 1.294, with a sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 80%, a posi?tive predictive value of 80%, and a negative predictive value of 80%. After Logistic regression, the NET level on postoperative day 1 was considered an independent predictor of DVT (OR:24.08, 95%CI:4.94, 117.28, P=0.000). Conclusion High circulating NET levels are associated with DVT in patients who undergo TKA. NETs may serve as a potential biological marker to delineate patients undergoing TKA who are most at risk for DVT.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the optimal immunization dose by observing the immunoprotective effects of different doses of recombinant Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese strain) signaling protein 14-3-3 (rSj14-3-3).

METHODSSj14-3-3 gene was amplified by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), subcloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET28a, then transformed into E.coli to express by inducing. Purified rSj14-3-3 was prepared through SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), electroelution, dialysis, then BALB/c mice were divided into 5 groups and immunized in rSj14-3-3 protein followed by challenging infection (the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd groups were immunized in 50 microg, 100 microg and 300 microg antigen, respectively. The 4th, 5th groups were immunized in Freund's adjuvant and normal saline controls). After 6 weeks of challenging infection, the mice were killed and the worm and egg reduction rates were calculated. And the mice sera in different time were taken to examine the specific anti-Sj14-3-3 IgG.

RESULTSrSj14-3-3 protein was expressed successfully. After immunizing and challenging, worm reduction was found to be 28.20% in the 1st group, 43.10% in the 2nd group, 40.00% in the 3rd group, respectively. Number of eggs in liver tissue was reduced by 41.80%, 57.50%, 55.70%, respectively. Compared the results of the tested groups to the controls, the differences were of significance by t-test (worm reduction rate: t = 6.8 in the 1st group, t = 8.7 in the 2nd group, t = 7.3 in the 3rd group, P < 0.01 in all tested groups. Egg reduction rate at the group's number above: t = 11.23, t = 11.54, t = 7.99, P < 0.01 in all tested groups). As compared the results between the tested groups by chi(2), the differences were of significance between the 1st and the 2nd groups (worm reduction rate: chi(2) = 8.96, P < 0.05; egg reduction rate: chi(2) = 15.69, P < 0.05), between the 1st and the 3rd groups, the differences were also of significance (worm reduction rate: chi(2) = 6.52, P < 0.05; egg reduction rate: chi(2) = 12.52, P < 0.05). The difference was not of significance between the 2nd and the 3rd groups (worm reduction rate: chi(2) = 1.20, P > 0.05; egg reduction rate: chi(2) = 0.93, P > 0.05). In all tested groups, total anti-Sj14-3-3 specific IgG rose markedly. IgG(1) and IgG(2a) subtypes were high, but IgG(2b) and IgG(3) were near the background in four subtypes tested.

CONCLUSIONImmunoprotection of rSj14-3-3 should have some relations with immunization dose, and the protection obtained from immunizing mice by using 100 microg antigen was the best.

14-3-3 Proteins ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth ; immunology ; Antibody Formation ; Antigens, Helminth ; blood ; Female ; Helminth Proteins ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Recombinant Proteins ; Schistosoma japonicum ; genetics ; immunology ; Signal Transduction ; Vaccination

Cysticercosis is caused by the metacestode form of Taenia solium-Cysticercus cellulosae and it causes great economic losses and threatens the people's health. There are some problems on how to control cysticercosis, in order to resolve the key problem that the native antigen to diagnose and prevent cysticercosis is very limited and is not satisfied, Pichia pastoris Expression System was used to express recombinant P2 protein. The interested P2 gene was got by digesting the pGEM - P2 vector using restriction endonuclease, then it was inserted into the secretory pPIC9K Pichia pastoris expression vector and transformed into E. coli. Positive recombinant plasmids were selected sequenced and named pPIC9K-P2 and it was linearized by Sal I and Bgl II, then the linear DNA transfored into Pichia pastoris GS115 by electroporation. The recombinant expression vector pPIC9K - P2 integrated into GS115 via homologous recombination between the transforming DNA and regions of homology within the genome. The transformants were screened for multicopy recombinants using G418 and were distinguished for Mut phenotypes by MD and MM. Two different phenotypes were generated-HIS+ MUT+ (Methanol utilization plus) and HIS+ MUT(S) (Methanol utilization slow). PCR analysis of the multicopy recombinants indicated that the P2 gene was integrated within the genome of pichia Pastoris. The multicopy recombinants were named GS115/pPIC9K - P2HIS+ MUT+ and GS115/pPIC9K-P2HIS+ MUT(S), both HIS+ MUT+ and HIS+ MUT(S) were induced with methanol. The results of SDS-PAGE and Western blot demonstrated that the culture supernatant of the induced Pichia pastoris contained P2 protein which was accumulated up to 33 % of total proteins in the culture supernant and its molecular weight is 12.6kD. The results of the clinical study indicated that the expression P2 protein could be used to diagnose human cysticercosis and swine cysticercosis as diagnosis antigen.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cysticercosis ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Genome, Fungal ; genetics ; Helminth Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Phosphoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pichia ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Swine ; Taenia ; metabolism

Ticks are the vectors of various pathogens, threatening human health and animal production across the globe. Here, for the first time we detected Ricketssia spp., Borrelia spp. and protozoan in ticks from Poyang Lake region in Jiangxi Province of eastern China. In 3 habitat categories and on 12 host species, 311 ticks from 11 species were collected. Haemaphysalis longicornis was the predominant species, accounting for 55.63%, followed by Rhipicephalus microplus, Haemaphysalis flava and Ixodes granulatus. Of the collected ticks, 7.07% were positive for tick-borne pathogens, and H. longicornis and H. flava were found to be co-infected with Ricketssia spp. and protozoan. H. flava was the most detected positive for tick-borne pathogens, whereas H. longicornis had the lowest infection rate, and the difference in infection rates between tick species was significant (χ²=61.24, P < 0.001). Furthermore, adult ticks demonstrated remarkably greater infection rate than immature ticks (χ²=10.12, P=0.018), meanwhile ticks on Erinaceidae showed significantly higher positivity than ticks collected on other host species (χ²=108.44, P < 0.001). Genetic fragment sequencing and analyses showed at least 4 pathogen species presence in ticks, namely Borrelia yangtzensis, Rickettsia slovaca or Rickettsia raoultii related genospecies, Babesia vogeli and Hepatozoon canis or Hepatozoon felis related genospecies. The finding indicates that the abundant ticks can carry diverse pathogens in Poyang Lake region, and pathogen infection is highly related to species, vertebrate hosts and life stages of ticks.
Adult ; Animals ; Babesia ; Borrelia ; Cats ; China ; Ecosystem ; Epidemiology ; Felis ; Hedgehogs ; Humans ; Ixodes ; Lakes ; Rhipicephalus ; Rickettsia ; Risk Factors ; Ticks ; Vertebrates

Begomoviruses are single-stranded DNA viruses and cause severe diseases in major crop plants worldwide. Based on current genome sequence analyses, we found that synonymous codon usage variations in the protein-coding genes of begomoviruses are mainly influenced by mutation bias. Base composition analysis suggested that the codon usage bias of AV1 and BV1 genes is significant and their expressions are high. Fourteen codons were determined as translational optimal ones according to the comparison of codon usage patterns between highly and lowly expressed genes. Interestingly the codon usages between begomoviruses from the Old and the New Worlds are apparently different, which supports the idea that the bipartite begomoviruses of the New World might originate from bipartite ones of the Old World, whereas the latter evolve from the Old World monopartite begomoviruses.
Begomovirus ; genetics ; Biological Evolution ; Chromosome Mapping ; Codon ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Evolution, Molecular

Adult ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; therapy ; Hepatitis ; complications ; therapy ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; therapy ; Liver, Artificial ; Plasma Exchange