OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Changji' an (CJA) oral liquid on the activated signal alterative intensity (ASAI) in intracranial algesthesia domain in patients with diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to Gan-Pi disharmony.

METHODSTwenty-four patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, 14 in the treated group and 10 in the control group, they were administrated with CJA and placebo respectively. The sensory threshold and score in the two groups recorded by rectal inflation test were compared and analyzed. The change of ASAI in intracranial algesthesia domain was analyzed by functional magnetic resonance imagine (fM-RI) during rectum being inflated with 30 ml, 60 ml, 90 ml and 120 ml of gas respectively.

RESULTSThe initial sensory thresholds in the two groups were insignificantly different, but significant difference did show between the two groups in urgent defecation threshold and pain threshold after treatment (P < 0.05). Comparison in visual simulative scores between the two groups after treatment at rectal inflated for 30 ml showed no significant difference, but it showed significant difference when the inflation was over 30 ml (P < 0.05). In the treated group, the ASAI in insula cortex when rectal inflation being 90 ml or 120 ml and that in thalamus when rectal inflation being 120 ml were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). But in the control group, it changed insignificantly after treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe treatment of CJA on Gan-Pi disharmony caused diarrhea type IBS might be effected by regulating the ASAI in intracranial insula cortex and thalamus.

Adult ; Aged ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diarrhea ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Pain Threshold ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Sensory Thresholds ; drug effects ; Signal Transduction

Objective To explore the changes of nitric oxide(NO) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in the serun and intestine mucosal and the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC) with tanshinon in rats,Methods 30 mg of trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS) dissolved in 0.85ml of 50% ethanol was administrated intrarectally in Sprague-Dawley female rats to induce experimental colitis.After 7 days,the rats were divided into normal control, 0.9% saline and treatment group tanshinon 2ml?kg~(-1)?d~(-1) were intravenously.The therapeutic effect was evaluated by measuring the ponderal index,the surface area of the ulcers,macroscopical and histological score,activity of NO and SOD were measured in colonic tissue and serum all rats.Results Compared with the saline group,the ponderal index,the surface area of the ulcers,macroscopical and histological score,activity of NO level in the serum and intes- tine mucosal was decreased and the SOD increased of significantly in the treatment group(P

AIMTo investigate the spatial and temporal expression of germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF) in mouse and rat epididymis during postnatal period.

METHODSThe epididymal sections from different postnatal days were stained for GCNF by the indirect immunofluorescence technique and digital photographs were taken by a Carl Zeiss confocal microscope.

RESULTSGCNF was first detected on day 12 in mouse epididymis and day 14 in rat epididymis. The highest expression of GCNF was observed on day 35 in both mouse and rat epididymis. In adults, GCNF exhibited a region-specific expression pattern, i.e., it was expressed predominantly in the initial segment, caput and proximal corpus of rat epididymis and was abundant in the proximal corpus of mouse epididymis. GCNF could be found in the nuclei of the principal, apical, narrow, clear and halo cells.

CONCLUSIONGCNF may play an important role in epididymal differentiation and development and in sperm maturation.

Aging ; Animals ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Epididymis ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 6, Group A, Member 1 ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; analysis ; Tissue Distribution

Objective　To establish animal model for hypertrophic scar and study the characters of its morphology and collagen metabolism. Methods　A total of 64 round wounds (diameter of 6 mm each) with total skin loss were made on the ventral side of rabbit ear using a trephine. Morphology and collagen metabolism of scar wounds were studied at 14,21,35,70 and 98 days after operation, respectively. Results　There were 76% elevated scars developed (45/59 wounds) on the ventral side of rabbit ear at 21 days and 46% elevated scars disappeared (11/24) at 98 days after operation. There were numerous fibroblast proliferation and whorl-arranged collagen fibers at 21 and 35 days. The number of fibroblast decreased, but irregular-arranged fibers still presented in the elevated scars at 70 and 98 days after operation. Hydroxyproline content in elevated scars at 21 days was higher than that in normal skin (P<0.05), and at 35 days was 3 times as that in normal skin and at 98 days was also markedly higher than that in normal skin (P<0.05). Conclusion　Excessive deposition of collagen is a characteristic of hypertrophic scar in rabbits. The conversion of normal scarring to hypertrophic scarring in rabbits occurs at 14～21 days after operation. Both development and regression of hypertrophic scar in rabbit are quicker than that in human.

Objective　To establish animal model for hypertrophic scar and study the characters of its morphology and collagen metabolism. Methods　A total of 64 round wounds (diameter of 6 mm each) with total skin loss were made on the ventral side of rabbit ear using a trephine. Morphology and collagen metabolism of scar wounds were studied at 14,21,35,70 and 98 days after operation, respectively. Results　There were 76% elevated scars developed (45/59 wounds) on the ventral side of rabbit ear at 21 days and 46% elevated scars disappeared (11/24) at 98 days after operation. There were numerous fibroblast proliferation and whorl-arranged collagen fibers at 21 and 35 days. The number of fibroblast decreased, but irregular-arranged fibers still presented in the elevated scars at 70 and 98 days after operation. Hydroxyproline content in elevated scars at 21 days was higher than that in normal skin (P<0.05), and at 35 days was 3 times as that in normal skin and at 98 days was also markedly higher than that in normal skin (P<0.05). Conclusion　Excessive deposition of collagen is a characteristic of hypertrophic scar in rabbits. The conversion of normal scarring to hypertrophic scarring in rabbits occurs at 14～21 days after operation. Both development and regression of hypertrophic scar in rabbit are quicker than that in human.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol 4000 on adult patients with functional constipation due to posttraumatic confinement to bed.

METHODSA total of 201 posttraumatic bedridden patients were studied in this prospective, open-labeled, single-group study. Polyethylene glycol 4000 was administered orally for 14 days and the dosage was adjusted according to the Bristol stool types. Demographic characteristics, disease status, treatment period and factors affecting clinical outcome, especially the concomitant medications, were recorded.

RESULTSAfter administration of polyethylene glycol 4000, 194 cases (96.52%) showed remission of constipation, including 153 (76.12%) persistent remission. The average defecation frequency increased significantly after treatment and the percentage of patients with stools of normal types (Bristol types 3-5) increased as well. Genders, ages and concomitant medications showed no significant influence on the persistent remission rate. After consecutive treatment for two weeks, patients with slight movement showed a significantly higher remission rate than those without movement (95% vs 80%). At the end of treatment, most accompanying symptoms were relieved obviously. Patients with a medical history of constipation or ever taking laxatives showed a lower remission rate. Sixty cases (29.85%) developed diarrhea during the observational period, among whom 6 (10%) withdrew from the clinical observation voluntarily at the first onset of diarrhea. Two cases suffered from abdominal pain.

CONCLUSIONSPolyethylene glycol 4000 has efficacy on functional constipation in posttraumatic bedridden patients. Furthermore, patients with milder symptoms, more movement in bed, and longer duration of treatment but without accompanying symptoms can achieve a higher remission rate.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bed Rest ; Constipation ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Wounds and Injuries ; complications

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Xinfeng Capsule (XFC) on pulmonary function and related mechanism in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) rats.

METHODSThe rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control (NC), model control (MC) groups, methotrexate (MTX), tripterygium glycosides tablet (TPT) and Xinfeng capsule (XFC) treatment groups. The adjuvant-induced arthritis model was established by intracutaneous injection of 0.1 mL Freund ' s complete adjuvant in the right paw of rats; the drugs were given 19 d after model establishment. The toe swelling degree (E), arthritis index (AI), pulmonary function, peripheral blood Treg levels, pathological changes of lung tissue and expression of Foxp3, TGF-β1, Smad3, Smad7 proteins in lung tissue were measured 30 d after drug administration.

RESULTSCompared to NC group, the levels of E, AI, alveolitis score, TGF-β1 and Smad3 were significantly increased (P <0.05 or P <0.01); maximum expiratory flow 25% of vital capacity (FEF25),50% maximal expiratory vital capacity flow (FEF50), maximum expiratory flow at 75% of vital capacity (FEF75), maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMF), force peak expiratory flow (PEF), CD4+ CD25+ Treg, Foxp3 and Smad7 were significantly decreased in MC group (P <0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared to MC group,the expression of E, AI, TGF-β1 and Smad3 were reduced, while FEF50, FEF75, MMF, PEF, Treg, Foxp3 and Smad7 were elevated in XFC group (P <0.05 or P <0.01). Compared to XFC group, the level of body mass,FEF25,FEF50, FEF75, MMF and Treg were lower in MTX and TPT groups (P <0.05 or P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere are inflamed joints and reduced pulmonary function in rats of adjuvant-induced arthritis. XFC can inhibit paw edema degrees, reduce arthritis response, and improve pulmonary function, which is associated with up-regulating expression of Treg and Foxp3, down-regulating the expression of TGF-β1 and adjusting TGF-β1/Smads signal pathway.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Smad3 Protein ; metabolism ; Smad7 Protein ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo access the prevalence of menopause-like symptoms, and their related factors in old and middle-aged males in the area of Hefei.

METHODSThis study included 1 026 males aged over 45 years that came to the clinic for health examination. We collected their personal data, and evaluated their general health status and the results of the questionnaire investigation using the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale.

RESULTSThe total incidence of menopause-like symptoms was 64.7% among the old and middle-aged males in Hefei area, of which 58.1% were mild, 30.9% moderate and 11.0% severe. The average AMS score was 31.2 +/- 6.8, in which the scores on psychological, physical and sexual function symptoms were 8.3 +/- 2.1, 12.4 +/- 4.8 and 9.3 +/- 4.5, respectively. Sexual function symptoms were increased significantly with the increase of age (P < 0.05), but psychological and physical symptoms showed no obvious correlation with age (P > 0.05). The main risk factors of menopause-like symptoms included age, smoking, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity, but physical exercise was an important protective factor against them.

CONCLUSIONWith the increase of age, the prevalence of male menopause-like symptoms rises and sexual function declines gradually, but psychological and physical scores are not affected significantly. Age, general health status and lifestyle are closely associated with the prevalence of menopause-like symptoms among old and middle-aged males.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; Andropause ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Life Style ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the difference in intracellular calcium ion [Ca2+]i concentration in prostate smooth muscle cells (PSMCs) between SD rat models of chronic abacterial prostatitis (CAP) and normal controls, and to evaluate the role of [Ca2+]i concentration in CAP.

METHODSWe established CAP models in SD rats using purified prostate protein and Freund's complete adjuvant, cultured in vitro and then purified the PSMCs of both the CAP models and normal controls. Continuous dynamic scanning was performed under the laser confocal scanning microscope after incubation of the cells with FLUO-3AM.

RESULTSThe fluorescence intensities of [Ca2+]i in the PSMCs were 80.39 +/- 9.00 and 27.95 +/- 10.04 in the CAP models and normal controls, respectively, with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe concentration of [Ca2+]i increased in the PSMCs of the CAP rat models, which might enhance the constriction of PSMCs and subsequently increase the sensibility to pain and cause lower abdominal pain.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Chronic Disease ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Prostatitis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement in sheep up to 6 months post procedure.

METHODSFresh sheep pericardium treated with a 0.6% glutaraldehyde solution for 36 hours was sutured to a valvular ring and then fixed onto a newly designed nitinol self-expandable stent. Thoracotomy was performed in sheep (23.5 +/- 3.1) kg under general anesthesia and the device was delivered into the native pulmonary valve of the sheep via the anterior wall of right ventricle by catheter and fooled for 6 months.

RESULTSOne sheep died 4 months after the procedure due to in-stent thrombosis. Another 4 animals survived the 6-month observing period. Angiographic and hemodynamic measurements confirmed good positioning and function of the stents with a competent valve immediately post procedure and 6 months post the procedure in surviving animals.

CONCLUSIONImplantation of the nitinol self-expandable stent in the pulmonary valve position by a transcatheter approach is feasible and good function of transcatheter implanted memory nitinol valved stents was shown after 6 months of implantation in sheep.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Male ; Pulmonary Valve ; surgery ; Sheep ; Stents