Objective To observe the effects of Huoxue Xifeng Decoction (HXD) on endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the blood and brain tissue of focal cerebral infarction (FCI) rats. Methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomized into 5 groups:sham-operation, FCI model and HXD-high, HXD-middle, HXD-low dose groups, with 8 rats in each group. The model of FCI rats was established by photo-chemistry method, and intragastric administration were continue 7 days before operation. HXD-high, HXD-middle, HXD-low dose groups were given HXD 20, 10, 5 g/(kg?d) respectively, and other groups were given the same volume distilled water. Blood and brain tissue samples were gotten 24 h after operation, and radio-immunity method was used to measure ET-1 level, spectrophotometric method was used to measure NO level. Results Compared with FCI model group, HXD decreased ET-1 level in plasma and brain tissue after infarction, and decreased NO level in the brain tissue, increased NO level in serum (P

Objective To investigate the protective function of edaravone in the compressed spinal cord.Methods There were 150 rabbits enrolled in each group in the experiment.Rabbits in both operation group and edaravone (EDA) treating group received mild spinal cord compressionby setting a flap head screw between C6 C7 after the neck.The spinal cord decompression was conducted seven days later.After 6 hours,rabbits in the EDA treating group were injected with a large amount of EDA through ear border veins,while the rabbits in the operation group only received 0.9％ sodium chloride injection.The transmission electron microscope was used to observe the apoptotic bodies at 1 day,3 days and 7 days after compression,and 1 day,3 days,7 days,and 14 days after decompression.Flow cytometry was used to test the rate of apoptosis of spinal cord cells.Immunohistochemistry was used to test the expression of Bax protein that is related to apoptosis.Results The neuronal apoptosis appeared after compression in both operation group and EDA-treating group.The Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) score,neuronal apoptosis rates,and Bax protein expressions in both groups were statistically different (P ＜ 0.05) when the spinal cord was compressed in the first day and the third day,while there was no statistically different when spinal cord compressed at the seventh day (P ＞ 0.05).After decompression of the spinal cord,the BBB score,neuronal apoptosis rates,and Bax protein expressions in both groups were becoming lower at the seventh day (P ＜0.05).Conclusions EDA has protective function for compressed spinal cord.However,only the compression of spinal cord compression period of sufficient decompression can fundamentally protect the spinal cord.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is caused by the autoimmune destruction of beta cells within the islets. In recent years, innate immunity has been proposed to play a key role in this process. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), an inflammatory trigger in a number of autoimmune diseases, activates proinflammatory responses following its release from necrotic cells. Our aim was to determine the significance of HMGB1 in the natural history of diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. We observed that the rate of HMGB1 expression in the cytoplasm of islets was much greater in diabetic mice compared with non-diabetic mice. The majority of cells positively stained for toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were beta cells; few alpha cells were stained for TLR4. Thus, we examined the effects of anti-TLR4 antibodies on HMGB1 cell surface binding, which confirmed that HMGB1 interacts with TLR4 in isolated islets. Expression changes in HMGB1 and TLR4 were detected throughout the course of diabetes. Our findings indicate that TLR4 is the main receptor on beta cells and that HMGB1 may signal via TLR4 to selectively damage beta cells rather than alpha cells during the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/immunology/*metabolism/pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Glucagon-Secreting Cells/immunology/metabolism/pathology ; HMGB1 Protein/*genetics/metabolism ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Insulin-Secreting Cells/immunology/metabolism/*pathology ; Macrophages/immunology/pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Necrosis ; Protein Binding ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/*antagonists & inhibitors/genetics/immunology

【Objective】 To explore the effects of sexual function-preserving 450 nm blue laser vaporization of the prostate on the postoperative sexual function of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety and feasibility of this procedure. 【Methods】 The clinical data of 20 BPH patients treated in our department during Jan. and Mar.2023 were analyzed. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life Scale (QoL) score, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), residual urine volume (PVR) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) data were compared before and after the operation. The operation time, postoperative catheter indwelling time, and hospital stay were recorded. The ejaculation status 2 months after operation was followed up. 【Results】 All 20 patients completed the operation successfully. The operation time was (13.41±4.30) min, catheter indwelling time (1.2±0.4) d, and hospital stay (3.0±0.6) d. The IPSS, QoL, PVR and Qmax data 1 month after operation were significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.01). Two months after operation, all patients had sex and ejaculated, and no retrograde ejaculation occurred. The erection function remained unchanged (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 The modified 450 nm blue laser vaporization of the prostate can improve the urination symptoms of BPH patients while retaining sexual function. It is a safe and feasible technique for BPH patients who have sexual needs, and provides an alternative surgical approach for those looking to preserve sexual function.

【Objective】 To investigate the efficacy and safety of 450 nm blue laser with 6 o’clock positioning in the treatment of middle lobe hyperplasia of prostate, in order to promote the clinical application of this surgery. 【Methods】 Clinical data of 20 patients with middle lobe hyperplasia of prostate treated with 450 nm blue laser with 6 o’clock positioning during Mar.and Aug.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The operation time, postoperative bladder irrigation time, catheter indwelling time, hospital stay, and complications were recorded.The maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual volume (PVR), quality of life scale (QoL), international prostate symptom score (IPSS) before surgery and 1 month after surgery were compared. 【Results】 The operation time was (26.80±7.22) min, and bladder irrigation time was (20.50±1.79) h.The catheter was removed on the next day after surgery and all patients were discharged 2 days after operation.Compared to preoperative, one month after surgery, the Qmax [(7.40±1.05) mL/s vs.(19.60±1.76) mL/s] was significantly higher, PVR [(73.50±12.26) mL vs.(9.25±4.94) mL], QoL [(4.55±1.19) vs.(1.95±0.95)], and IPSS [(26.55±1.88) vs.(10.05±1.36)] were significantly lower, the differences being statistically significant (P<0.05).No complications occurred during operation and 1-month follow-up. 【Conclusion】 The 450 nm blue laser with 6 o’clock positioning is a new, safe and effective surgical treatment of middle lobe hyperplasia of prostate, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.