BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that intermittent high glucose can have a more severe impact on vascular endothelial function in comparison with persistent hyperglycemia.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of intermittent high glucose on the proliferation and apoptosis of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from human peripheral blood in vitro as well as the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant. METHODS: Total mononuclear cells were isolated from human peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation and then the cells were placed on fibronectin-coated culture dishes. After 7 days of culture, the adherent cells were identified as EPCs by laser scanning confocal microscope. The cells were synchronized and then stimulated with glucose 5.5 mmol/L (normal control group), 20 mmol/L (constant high glucose group), and 5.5/20 mmol/L (intermittent high glucose group, 5.5 and 20 mmol/L glucose culture solution was changed every 8 hours) for 72 hours. EPCs proliferation and apoptosis was measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The content of MDA and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in culture solution were detected with colorimetry.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After EPCs were exposed to constant high glucose (20 mmol/L) and intermittent high glucose (5.5/20 mmol/L) for 72 hours, proliferated cells were significantly reduced and the apoptosis rate was significantly increased compared with those exposed to normal glucose (P < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a significant increase in MDA contents as well as a significant reduce in SOD activities in the constant high glucose and intermittent high glucose group (P < 0.01), especially in the latter group. These findings indicated that both intermittent high glucose and constant glucose could inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of EPCs; however, intermittent high glucose appears to worsen the effects on EPCs. This is maybe due to the increased oxidative stress.

Objective To explore the relationship between substance P(SP),somatostatin(SS) expression and change of morphology structure in jejunum of arsenism rats.Methods Acoording to sex and body mass,forty five clean grade SD rats were divided into control(0.0 mg.kg-1.d-1),low-dose arsenic(0.4 mg.kg-1.d-1) and high-dose arsenic(10.0 mg.kg-1.d-1) groups,n =15.The rats in low-and high-dose groups were treated with As2O3(2,50 mg/L) through drinking water for 4 months,respectively.Morphology changes of jejunum were observed by histological technique-HE staining and SABC immunohistochemistry.SP and SS positive cells in the jejunum were observed and counted,and its average gray value was analyzed with image analysis software (Biomias).Results Some jejunal villi were irregular in arsenism rats; with some brush border loss and irregular; goblet cells increased; infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lamina propria; and vacuoles in some intestinal gland cells.The differences of SP and SS positive cells between groups were statistically significant (F =608.54,227.59,all P ＜0.05).Compared with the control group (0.94 + 0.21,1.14 + 0.14),SP and SS positive cells in low-and highdose arsenic groups(1.85 + 0.25,1.83 + 0.24 and 4.24 + 0.33,3.31 ± 0.41) were significantly higher(all P ＜0.05),and high-dose arsenic group was significantly higher than the low-dose arsenic group(all P ＜ 0.05).The differences of average gray values of SP and SS positive cells between groups were statistically significant(F =68.43,26.57,all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the control group(133.76 ± 3.61,137.57 ± 5.49),SP and SS positive cells in low-and high-dose arsenic groups(125.13 + 2.35,131.28 ± 5.66 and 118.30 ± 4.58,124.03 ± 3.94) were significantly lower(all P ＜ 0.05),and high-dose arsenic group was significantly lower than the low-dose arsenic group (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Up-regulation of SP,SS may be related to jejunal mucosal injury and morphology structure in arsenic poisoning rats.

Objective To study the molecular mechanism of renal injury of chronic arsenic poisoning rats induced by the expression of cysteine caspase-8 and P53 in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.Methods Sixty healthy SD rats were divided into three groups,high-,low-dose group,and control group,n =20 in each group.The rats in high and low dose groups were treated with As203 through drinking water,10.0 and 0.4 mg/kg,respectively.The control rats were given distilled water.Four months later,serum and urinary arsenic level was determined,and kidney specimens were taken.The expression of cysteine caspase-8 and P53 in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells was detected by histological technique-HE staining and SABC immunohistochemistry.In addition,cell number counting and image analyses were used in the study.Results The number of caspase-8 positive cells of renal proximal tubule in control group,low-and high-dose group was 3.33±1.32,31.14±8.02 and 46.50±7.20 cell number/visual fields,respectively,which was increased with dose increasing(all P ＜0.05);the average gray value was 151.34±6.40,133.58±4.63 and 128.34±16.28,respectively,decreased with dose increasing(all P ＜0.05).The number of P53 positive cells was 3.17±1.59,26.29±4.23 and 47.00±6.22 cell number/visual fields,respectively,increased with dose increasing (all P ＜ 0.05) ; the average gray value was 142.54±8.06,121.48±5.68 and 101.89±6.35,respectively,decreased with dose increasing (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The increase of caspase-8 and P53 positive cells is one of the molecular mechanisms of renal injury induced by arsenic poisoning.

Objective To observe the expression of cardiotrophin-1(CT-1) in ischemia-reinfusion cardiac muscle of rats and the effect of neuregulin-1(NRG-1).Methods The model of ischemia-reinfusion cardiac muscle of rats were prepared,35 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:model group(n=8),NRG-1 pretreatment group(n=9),pseudo-surgery group(n=8) and normal control group(n=10).The CT-1 mRNA in the observed cardiac muscle of all groups was measured by RT-PCR and the relative amount of CT-1 mRNA were calculated,and for statistical treatment.Results The CT-1 mRNA of model group was(63.96?9.34),and it was higher than that of pseudo-surgery group(36.16?5.43)and normal control group(36.84?4.64).The significant differences were found in 3 groups(F=47.37 P

The characteristics of syndromes are manifested as periodic changes of lung, spleen and kidney found in the development process of exopathic diseases through analysing on syndrome differentiation and treatment laws of exterior syndrome in dual disease of exterior and interior in Shanghanzabinglun. Combining with the theory of "defense qi originating from triple energizer", the author puts forward the view of "exterior syndrome treated based on triple energizer", i.e. the lung is the first defensive line, which should be assisted to diffuse defense qi by using the kind of Chinese herbal remedies (CHR) being pungent in flavor with the action of dispersing such as Mahuang (Herba Ephedrae); the spleen is the second defensive line, which should be assisted to nourish the source of defense qi by using the kind of CHR being sweet in flavor and warm in nature with the action of tonifying and replenishing the middle qi such as Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi); and the kidney is the third defensive line, which should be assisted to secure the root of defense qi by using the kind of CHR being pungent in flavor and hot in nature with the action of assisting yang such as Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata). The view of "exterior syndrome treated based on triple energizer" not only guides clinical practice more exactly, but also meets the holism concept of Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of chondromalacia patella among college students and the correlation with sports injury.

METHODS354 students from gymnastic department and 429 from nongymnastic department with knee joint pain were selected. 184 students from gymnastic department and 342 from nongymnastic department were checked randomly by a surgeon. 77 patients (37 males, 40 females) from gymnastic department and 119 patients (62 males, 57 females) from nongymnastic department were diagnosed as chondromalacia patellae. The amount of exercise and the occurrence of sports injury were investigated in each student. All data were analyzed with SPSS 10.0 statistical software.

RESULTSThe prevalence of chondromalacia patella was 20.1% in female students and 11.6% in male students from gymnastic department, and 5.61% in female students and 4.92% in male students from nongymnastic department. The amount of exercise and the occurrence of sports injury to the knee joint in students from gymnastic department were greater than those from nongymnastic department.

CONCLUSIONSIn both female and male students, the prevalence of chondromalacia patella is higher in gymnastic department than nongymnastic department. Sports injury is an important cause of chondromalacia patella.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Athletic Injuries ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Cartilage Diseases ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Comorbidity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Knee Injuries ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Male ; Patella ; pathology ; Prevalence ; Probability ; Prognosis ; Reference Values ; Risk Factors ; Sex Distribution

OBJECTIVETo compare the intervention effects of four traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) with typical cold or hot property on body temperature and temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential ion channel proteins (TRPs) of rats with yeast-induced fever.

METHODThe pyrexia model was induced by injecting yeast suspension subcutaneously. Totally 108 male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the Rhei Radix et Rhizoma treated group, the Coptidis Rhizoma treated group, the Euodiae Fructus treated group, and the Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma treated group, with 18 rats in each group. At the 4 h, 8 h and 12 h after injection of yeast, the rats were sacrificed to collect their hypothalamus and dorsal root ganglion. The expressions of TRPV1 and TRPM8 were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot method.

RESULTCompared with the normal group, after injection of yeast, the temperature of rats in the model group notably increased, and reached the peak at 8 h (P < 0.01). The TRPV1 level in hypothalamus and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of the model group significantly increased, whereas the TRPM8 level significantly reduced. Compared with the model group, the Rhei Radix et Rhizoma group and the Coptidis Rhizoma group showed significant decrease in the high body temperature of rats caused by yeast, down-regulation in the expression of TRPV1, and up-regulation in the expression of TRPM8 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Euodiae Fructus and Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma had no significant effect on either temperature or TRPs of fever rats.

CONCLUSIONRhei Radix et Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma, both are TCMs with cold property, can reduce the temperature of fever rats induced by yeast, which may be related to their effective regulation of TRPV1 and TRPM8 in hypothalamus and DRG, while Euodiae Fructus and Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma had no relevant effect.

Animals ; Antipyretics ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Body Temperature Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Fever ; drug therapy ; immunology ; microbiology ; physiopathology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; immunology ; TRPM Cation Channels ; genetics ; immunology ; TRPV Cation Channels ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To explore the expression of HCK gene during the cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells and analyze the role of HCK gene in maintenance of pluripotency of embryonic stem cells.Methods Mouse embryonic stem cells were cultured,then induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytes.Total RNAs were isolated from mouse embryonic stem cells in the differentiation days:0 day(D0),the second day(D2),the fourth day(D4),the sixth day(D6),the eighth day(D8),respectively.The levels of HCK mRNAs were assessed by the method of semi-quantitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).In the meanwhile,Total proteins were also isolated from mouse embryonic stem cells in the differentiation D0,D2,D4,D6,D8,and the levels of HCK proteins were evaluated by Western-blot.Results HCK mRNAs could be detected in the mouse embryonic stem cells in D0 and D2,however,they were undetectable from D4 to D8.The expression of HCK mRNAs was rapidly down-regulated during cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.Expression of HCK proteins,which coincided with HCK mRNAs,down-regulated during differentiation and couldn't be detected in D4.Conclusions With the cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells,the expression of HCK in the levels of mRNA and proteins are sharply down-regulated;HCK may play an important role in maintaining the pluripotency of embryonic stem cell.

OBJECTIVE: Functional constipation (FC) is a common intestinal disease worldwide. Despite the presence of criteria such as Roman IV, there is no standardized diagnosis and treatment algorithm in Hong Kong that combines both Western and Chinese medicine approaches. This study integrates current effective and safe diagnosis and treatment methods for FC and provides a clear and scientific pathway for clinical professionals and patients. METHODS: A systematic search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was performed from their inception to June 30th, 2022, collecting the current evidence about the efficacious integrative management for FC. We organized a meeting of professionals in fields relevant to treatment and management of FC to develop a consensus agreement on clinical pathway process. RESULTS: We developed a clinical pathway for the treatment of FC based on the most recent published guidelines and consultation with experts. This pathway includes a hierarchy of recommendations for every step of the clinical process, including clinical intake, diagnostic examination, recommended labs, diagnostic flowchart, and guidance for selection of therapeutic drugs. CONCLUSION This pathway establishes clinical standards for the diagnosis and treatment of FC using Chinese medicine and Western medicine; it will help to provide high-quality medical services in Hong Kong for patients with FC. Please cite this article as: Wei DJ, Li HJ, Lyu ZP, Lyu AP, Bian ZX, Zhong LL. A clinical pathway for integrative medicine in the treatment of functional constipation in Hong Kong, China. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(6): 550-560.
Humans ; Hong Kong ; Integrative Medicine ; Critical Pathways ; China ; Constipation/therapy*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical application value of 8.5/11.5 F transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of refractory hematospermia.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 78 cases of refractory hematospermia diagnosed and treated by 8.5/11.5 F transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy from June 2012 to June 2014. The patients underwent serum PSA examination, transrectal ultrasonography, seminal vesicle ultrasonography, and pelvis CT or MRI before surgery, and all received transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy under the 8.5/11.5 F rigid ureteroscope.

RESULTSOperations were all successfully accomplished, which revealed abnormal opening of the ejaculatory duct in 5 cases, mucosal inflammatory hyperemia in the prostatic utricle and seminal vesicle in 78, dark red mucilage substance in the seminal vesicle in 34, seminal vesicle stones in 19, small polyp in the seminal vesicle in 2, and ejaculatory duct or seminal vesicle cyst in 4. All the patients received symptomatic treatment during the surgery. After surgery, hematouria was found in 13 cases, which disappeared within 2 weeks, pelvic hematoma in 1 case, which was cured by conservative treatment within 3 months, and epididymitis in 2 cases, which was controlled by anti-infection treatment. Hematospermia recurred in 3 cases during the 1-year postoperative follow-up.

CONCLUSION8.5/11.5 F transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy, with its advantages of easy operation, wide field of vision, large channel for operation, and few complications, deserves general clinical application in the diagnosis and treatment of refractory hematospermia.

Calculi ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Epididymitis ; etiology ; Hemospermia ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Postoperative Period ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seminal Vesicles ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Urethra