Objective:To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of Shugan Jieyu capsules and hydrochloride Venlafaxine capsules in the treatment of depression. Methods:Totally 50 cases of patients with depression were randomly divided into the observa-tion group (n=26) and the control group (n=24). The observation group was treated with 2 Shugan Jieyu capsules in the morning and in the evening, while the control group was treated with hydrochloride Venlafaxine capsules at the dose of 75-150 mg·d-1,six weeks as a course of treatment. Hamilton Depression Scale ( HAMD) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale ( TESS) were used in the evaluation before the treatment and 2, 4 and 6 weeks after the treatment. Results:HAMD scores of the two groups were significant-ly decreased after the treatment (P<0. 01), and the scores were gradually decreased with the treatment, and there were no significant differences between the two groups (P>0. 05). The total efficacy of Shugan Jieyu capsules and hydrochloride Venlafaxine capsules was 88. 46% and 87. 5%, respectively, and there was no significant difference (P>0. 05). TESS scores of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group after the 2, 4 and 6-week treatment (P<0. 01). The incidence of adverse reactions of Shugan Jieyu capsules (42. 31%) was obviously lower than that of hydrochloride Venlafaxine capsules (70. 83%, P<0. 01). Con-clusion:Shugan Jieyu capsules are safe and effective in the treatment of depression.

BACKGROUND:Ferula sinkiangensis K.M. Shen is composed of volatile oil, resin and gum that have the anti-inflammatory, anti-alergic, antispasmodic and analgesic effects. But its analgesic mechanism is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect ofFerula sinkiangensis K.M. Shen on heat pain, mechanical pain, Fos protein expression and astrocyte activation in spinal cord of rats with neuropathic pain. METHODS: Eighty adult Sprague-Dawley rat models of chronic sciatic nerve injury were randomly divided into five groups and then intragasticaly administeredFerula sinkiangensis K.M. Shen at low, moderate and high doses (0.075, 0.15, 0.30 g/kg), celecoxib or physiological saline. Heat pain and mechanical pain were measured at 1 day before operation and at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14 days after operation. The spinal cord tissue at S4-5 segments was harvested and Fos protein expression and astrocyte activation in the spinal cord of rats were observed by immunohistochemical staining method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After 1 and 5 days of medication, behavioral pain scores of rats in the low-, moderate-, and high-doseFerula sinkiangensis K.M. Shen groups were significantly higher than that in the physiological saline group (P < 0.01). The largest reduction in heat pain threshold was measured in the moderate-doseFerula sinkiangensis K.M. Shen group compared to the other groups (P < 0.01). The most significant reduction in rat mechanical pain threshold was measured in the high-doseFerula sinkiangensis K.M. Shen group than in the other groups (P < 0.01). At each time point post-operation, the number of Fos protein-positive cels in the low-, moderate- and high-doseFerula sinkiangensis K.M. Shen and celecoxib groups was significantly lower than that in the physiological saline group (P < 0.05); the number of Fos protein-positive cels in the moderate- and high-doseFerula sinkiangensis K.M Shen groups was significantly higher than that in the celecoxib group (P< 0.05). At each time point post-operation, the number of astrocytes in the spinal cord tissue of rats in the high-doseFerula sinkiangensis K.M. Shen and celecoxib groups was significantly lower than that in the physiological saline group (P< 0.05). There was significant difference in the number of astrocytes between the moderate- and high-doseFerula sinkiangensis K.M shen groups and celecoxib group (P< 0.05). These results confirm thatFerula sinkiangensis K.M. Shen may effectively aleviate the neuropathic pain of rats, and the mechanism of which may be related to the activation of Fos protein and astrocytes in the spinal cord.

Objective:To evaluate the precision of digital impressions taken under simulated clinical impression taking conditions with TRIOS and to compare with the precision of extraoral digitalizations . Methods:Six #14 -#17 epoxy resin dentitions with extracted #16 tooth preparations embedded were made.For each artificial dentition , ( 1 ) a silicone rubber impression was taken with individual tray , poured with type IV plaster ,and digitalized with 3Shape D700 model scanner for 10 times;(2) fastened to a dental simulator , 10 digital impressions for each were taken with 3Shape TRIOS intraoral scanner .To assess the precision , best-fit algorithm and 3 D comparison were conducted between repeated scan models pairwise by Geomagic Qualify 12.0, exported as averaged errors (AE) and color-coded diagrams.Non-parametric analysis was performed to compare the precisions of digital impressions and model images .The color-coded diagrams were used to show the deviations distributions .Results:The mean of AE for digital impressions was 7.058 281 μm, which was greater than that of 4.092 363 μm for the model images (P<0.05).However, the means and medians of AE for digital impressions were no more than 10 μm, which meant that the consistency between the digital impressions was good .The deviations distribution was uniform in the model images ,while nonuniform in the digital impressions with greater deviations lay mainly around the shoulders and interproximal surfaces .Conclusion:Digital impressions with TRIOS are of good precision and up to the clinical standard .Shoulders and interproximal surfaces scanning are more difficult.

Objective To study the expression of interleukin-1β in aortic dissections and aneurysms. Methods Aortic specimens were obtained from patients with type Ⅰ thoracic aortic dissection (11 cases),ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (10 cases),and healthy organ donors (7 cases).Expression of interleukin-1β,matrix metalloproteinase-9,and signal transduction factors phospho-p38 and phospho-JNK were detected by real time RT-PCR,Western blot,and immunohistochemistry,respectively.TUNEL staining was performed to detect apoptosis of media cells. Results Apoptosis in the media of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms was dramatically higher than control group.Expression of interleukin-1β gradually increased in an order of control group,thoracic aortic dissection to ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms ( P ＜ 0.01,respectively).Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9significantly increased in the media of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms compared with control group (P ＜ 0.01,respectively).There were positive correlations between interleukin1 β and matrix metalloproteinase-9,interleukin-1β and phospho-p38 in thoracic aortic dissection ( P ＜ 0.01,respectively),interleukin-1β and apoptosis in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions Interleukin-1β and interferon-γ might effect the formation of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms possibly through the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and apoptosis of media cells in humans.

Objective:To detect the value of utilizing bpMRI in prostate biopsy in the detection of prostate cancer with PSA≤20ng/ml.Methods:The clinical data of 394 patients who underwent prostate biopsy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from November 2017 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Of all the patients, 177 underwent modified systematic biopsy, named TRUS group, 217 patients accepted pre-biopsy bpMRI examination, undergoing modified systematic biopsy if Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score < 3 or MRI-TRUS cognitive fusion targeted prostate + systematic biopsy if PI-RADS score ≥ 3, named MRI group. The median age of TRUS group was 66 (61, 74) years old, prostate specific antigen (PSA) was 9.52 (7.26, 12.30) ng / ml, and prostate volume (PV) was 36.84 (28.95, 57.72)ml. The median age of MRI group was 66 (59, 72) years old, PSA was 8.84 (6.65, 12.16) ng/ml, and PV was 39.45 (29.25, 58.69)ml. There was no difference in above parameters between the two groups. The χ 2 test was used to compare the detection rate of prostate cancer and clinically significant prostate cancer (CsPCa) between the two groups. Results:There was no significant difference in the detection rates of prostate cancer between TRUS group and MRI group [51.41% (91/177) vs. 48.39% (105/ 217), P = 0.550], but the detection rates of CsPCa were significantly different [26.55% (47/177) vs. 36.41% (79/217), P = 0.037]. In patients with PSA ≤ 10 ng / ml, there was no significant difference in the detection rates of prostate cancer between the two groups [43.62% (41/94) vs. 43.08% (56/130), P = 0.936], but there was a significant difference in the detection rates of CsPCa [17.02% (16/94) vs. 28.46% (37/130), P = 0.047]. There was no significant difference in the detection rates of prostate cancer [60.24% (50/83) and 56.17% (48/87), P= 0.504] and the detection rates of CsPCa [37.35% (31/83) vs. 48.28% (42/87), P = 0.150] between the two groups. The total detection rates of the last two needles in TRUS group and MRI group were 23.16% (41/177) and 36.63% (86/217), respectively, with significant difference ( P=0.001); the detection rates of CsPCa in the last two needles were 11.86% (26/177) and 29.03% (63/ 217), respectively, with significant difference ( P < 0.001). In MRI group, the detection rates of prostate cancer in patients with PI-RADS score <3, 3, 4, 5 were 21.21% (7/33), 25.84% (23/89), 73.24% (52/71), 95.83% (23/24), respectively; the detection rates of CsPCa were 12.12% (4/33), 17.98% (16/89), 54.93% (39/71), 83.33% (23/24), respectively. Conclusions:In patients with PSA ≤ 20 ng / ml, prostate biopsy based on bpMRI may improve the detection of CsPCa, especially in patients with PSA ≤ 10 ng/ml.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and relevant factors of psychological disorders in patients with premature ejaculation (PE). Methods From September 2009 to October 2010,we employed the Self- Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS),Chinese Index of Sexual Function for Premature Ejaculation ( CIPE-5 ),NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI),International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and self-designed questionnaire to investigate the psychological status of 1164 patients with PE.The relevance between scores of SAS,SDS and such parameters as NIH-CPSI score,CIPE-5 score,erectile function,age,disease duration,occupation,education,personality characteristics and other factors were evaluated. Results The SAS and SDS scores of 1,164 cases with PE were 43.87 ± 10.53,44.05 ±9.81,respectively.If the cut-off points were set at SAS ≥ 50 and SDS ≥53,341 (29.3％) of cases had symptoms of anxiety and 217( 18.6％ ) patients had symptoms of depression.The SAS,SDS scores and detection rate of anxiety and depression were correlated with the CIPE-5 score,NIH-CPSI score,erectile function and duration of disease,personality characteristics ( P ＜ 0.05),while they were not correlated with age,occupation,and education. Conclusions Psychological disorders widely exist in patients with PE and may have a close relationship with a variety of factors.

Little is known about the effects of chronic alcohol intake on the outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI). Hence, we examined the effects of chronic alcohol intake on the development of renal fibrosis following AKI in an animal model of bilateral renal ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury. We first found that chronic alcohol exposure exacerbated bilateral IR-induced renal fibrosis and renal function impairment. This phenomenon was associated with increased bilateral IR-induced extracellular matrix deposition and an increased myofibroblast population as well as increased bilateral IR-induced expression of fibrosis-related genes in the kidneys. To explore the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, we showed that chronic alcohol exposure enhanced β-arrestin 2 (Arrb2) expression and Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3)β activation in the kidneys. Importantly, pharmacological GSK3 inhibition alleviated bilateral IR-induced renal fibrosis and renal function impairment. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Arrb2(−/−) mice exhibited resistance to IR-induced renal fibrosis and renal function impairment following chronic alcohol exposure, and these effects were associated with attenuated GSK3β activation in the kidneys. Taken together, our results suggest that chronic alcohol exposure may potentiate AKI via β-arrestin 2/Akt/GSK3β-mediated signaling in the kidney.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Animals ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibrosis ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3* ; Glycogen Synthase Kinases* ; Glycogen Synthase* ; Glycogen* ; Kidney ; Mice* ; Models, Animal ; Myofibroblasts

To investigate the influence of Angelica Four Inverse Decoction on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) nerve conduction velocity and advanced glycation end products (AEGs), Cystatin C (Cys-C) and homocysteine (Hcy) levels, 78 cases of DPN patients admitted in our hospital from March 2015 to January 2017 were selected and divided into two groups by random number table method. The two groups adopted the same basic treatment, on the basis of which, the control group was added mecobalamin tablets treatment, while the observation group was given Angelica Four Inverse Decoction. The curative effect of Chinese medicine syndrome, the scores of toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS), nerve conduction velocity and the change of serum AEGs, Cys-C and Hcy levels before and after treatment were recorded and compared between the two groups and then the safety of medicine were evaluated between the two groups. 4 weeks after the treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was 89.7％, significantly higher than 71.8％ of the control group (P ＜ 0.05) . Compared with those before receiving treatment, the SNCV and MNCV values of the common peroneal nerve and median nerve both significantly increased in the two groups 4 weeks after the treatment (P ＜ 0.01); the improvement of nerve conduction velocity of the observation group was significantly better than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.01) . 4 weeks after the treatment, TCSS score and serum AEGs, Cys-C, Hcy levels were all significantly lower than those before receiving the treatment in the two groups (P ＜ 0.01); compared with that of the control group in the same time period, the improvement effect of TCSS score and serum AEGs, Cys-C, Hcy levels were more significant in the observation group 4 weeks after the treatment (P ＜ 0.01) . There were no obvious adverse reactions in the two groups. As a result, Angelica Four Inverse Decoction applied to DPN patients can more effectively relieve clinical symptoms and signs, improve nerve conduction velocity, reduce the level of AEGs, and improve microcirculation with remarkable curative effect and high safety.

Arabidopsis ; metabolism ; Catalytic Domain ; Dimerization ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Populus ; metabolism ; Protein Disulfide Reductase (Glutathione) ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Protein Isoforms ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Protein Structure, Tertiary

Objective:To compare the differences of prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant prostate cancer (CsPCa) positive rate and postoperative complications between transperineal cognitive prostate biopsy (COG-TPBx) and transrectal cognitive prostate biopsy (COG-TRBx) based on biparametric magnetic resonance imaging (bpMRI).Methods:The data of 276 patients undergoing prostate biopsy from January 2019 to June 2021 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively reviewed. 157 patients underwent COG-TPBx(TPBx group) and 119 patients underwent COG-TRBx (TRBx group). The average age [(66.39 ± 8.31) vs. (66.30 ± 8.42)years], body mass index (BMI) [(23.85±2.49) vs. (23.68±2.61) kg/m 2], PSA values [9.43(1.47-19.80) vs. 8.94(0.66-19.99) ng/ml], prostate volume [37.92(13.99-167.40) vs. 40.78(11.67-188.21) cm 3], PSA density [0.21(0.04-1.17) vs. 0.20(0.04-1.04) ng/(ml·cm 3)], and suspicious digital rectal examination [17.20% (27/157) vs. 21.10% (25/119) ] were not significantly different between TPBx group and TRBx group. The positive rate of PCa, CsPCa, as well as post-biopsy complications of the two groups were compared. Results:There were no significant differences in the positive rate of PCa [49.68%(78/157) vs. 47.06%(56/119), P=0.666] and CsPCa [38.22%(60/157) vs. 34.45%(41/119), P=0.520] between the two groups. In stratification analysis, TPBx group has a significantly higher positive rate of both PCa [54.69%(35/64)] and CsPCa[43.75%(28/64)] in apex zone than TRBx group[39.62%(21/53) and 20.75%(11/53), all P<0.05). Moreover, the postoperative complications were not significantly different in TPBx group compared to that in TRBx group [10.19% (16/157) vs. 12.61%(15/119), P= 0.567]. Conclusions:Our investigations revealed that the overall positive rate of PCa, CsPCa, and the complications were not statistically different between COG-TPBx and COG-TRBx. COG-TPBx has a significantly higher positive rate of both PCa and CsPCa in apex zone.