OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the quinoline derivative PQ1 combined with cisplatin on the proliferation and gap junction communication of prostate cancer PC3 cells.

METHODSWe cultured in vitro prostate cancer PC3 cells and divided them into DMSO blank control, cisplatin control, and cisplatin (10 mg/ml) plus PQ1 (1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 μmol/L) groups. We measured the proliferation of the prostate cancer PC3 cells, determined the expressions of the connexin 43 (Cx43) mRNA and protein by RT-PCR and Western blot, and compared the indexes among different groups.

RESULTSCisplatin combined with PQl at 1 - 10 μmol/L significantly inhibited the proliferation of the PC3 cells and the inhibition rate rose in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, from (48.72 ± 0.98)% vs (50.33 ± 0.62)% at 0 μmol/L to (77.38 ± 1.12)% vs (83.50 ± 1.05)% at 15 μmol/L at 24 and 48 hours (P < 0.05). Compared with the cisplatin control, cisplatin combined with PQ1 at 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 μmol/L increased the expression of Cx43 mRNA from 0.379 ± 0.113 to 0.669 ± 0.031, 0.831 ± 0. 127, 0.769 ± 0.100, 0.532 ± 0.086, and 0.475 ± 0.134, respectively (P < 0.05), and cisplatin combined with PQ1 at 1, 2, 5, and 10 μmol/L elevated that of Cx43 protein from 0.138 ± 0.146 to 0.263 ± 0.111, 0.306 ± 0.152, 0.415 ± 0.280, and 0.643 ± 0.310, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe quinoline derivative PQ1 can promote the gap junction communication of prostate cancer PC3 cells and enhance the killing effect of cisplatin on PC3 cells by upregulating the expressions of Cx43 mRNA and protein.

Aminoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Connexin 43 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Time Factors

Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent and glycyrrhizin has activities of anti-inflammation, immunoregulation and anti-viral infections. To enhance antiviral efficacy and weaken side-effects of ribavirin, antiviral effects of the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin were studied in the present study. Firstly, a mouse model of viral pneumonia was established by inoculation of influenza H1N1 virus. Protective effects of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin used alone or in combination against H1N1 virus infection in mice were evaluated based on the survival rate, lung index and virus titer in lungs of mice. Results showed that the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin significantly inhibited the lung consolidation with a 36% inhibition ratio on the lung swell of infected mice. The combination of the two drugs exhibited synergetic effects on survival of infected mice. The combination of 50 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) glycyrrhizin and 40 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) ribavirin resulted a 100% protection for infected mice with a synergetic value of 36, which was significantly higher than the control group and each drug alone. This combination also resulted a significant drop of lung virus titer (P < 0.01), as well as inhibition on the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 (P < 0.01), TNF-α (P < 0.01) and IL-1β (P < 0.05) induced by virus infection compared to the control. The treatment of ribavirin plus glycyrrhizin was more effective in influenza A infection in mice than either compound used alone, which suggested a potential clinical value of the combination of the two agents.
Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Synergism ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; immunology ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; drug effects ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; immunology ; Lung ; immunology ; virology ; Mice ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections ; drug therapy ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; Ribavirin ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of the self-prepared ear dropping made by combined Chinese and Western drugs in treating chronic suppurative otitis media caused large tympanic membrane perforation.

METHODSSixty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups, the treated group treated with the self-prepared ear-dropping and the control group treated with ear-dropping made by placebo, to observe the therapeutic effect and adverse reaction.

RESULTSIn the 32 patients of the treated group, 15 patients were cured, the cured tympanic membrane was normal in shape and thickness in 11, scarred in 3, and thin and transparent in 1. The hearing was improved in all patients with cured tympanic membrane. But no one was cured in the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe self-prepared ear-dropping had good effect in treating tympanic membrane perforation, it is simple, cheap and no need of further operation.

Administration, Topical ; Adult ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otitis Media, Suppurative ; complications ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Tympanic Membrane Perforation ; drug therapy ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the inhibitory effect of angiotensin (1-7) on hepatic sinusoid angiogenesis using a rat model of hepatic fibrosis.

METHODSEighteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three equal groups for sham operation (untreated/uninduced control group), bile duct ligation (BDL) (untreated model group), or BDL with angiotensin (1-7) treatment (treated model group). Histological analysis was used to assess the liver fibrosis score, by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the level of fibrosis, by Masson's trichrome staining. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were used to assess the expression of the angiogenesis markers vWF, VEGFA, and CD31.

RESULTSCompared with the untreated/uninduced control group, the untreated BDL model group showed remarkably higher fibrosis score, area of the type I collagen expression, and expression levels of vWF, VEGFA, and CD31. However, the angiotensin (1-7)-treatment protected against the BLD-related changes, as evidenced by decreased robustness and down-regulation of the corresponding indicators. Moreover, the expression level of VEGFA was highly correlated to the expression level of vWF (r = 0.956, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONBDL-induced hepatic fibrosis is accompanied by significant increases in angiogenesis-related factors, but angiotensin (1-7) treatment may inhibit hepatic sinusoid angiogenesis during the liver fibrosis process.

Angiotensin I ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Bile Ducts ; surgery ; Hepatic Veins ; pathology ; Ligation ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; Peptide Fragments ; therapeutic use ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; von Willebrand Factor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors upgrading the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Gleason score using the specimens from preoperative prostatic biopsy and radical prostatectomy.

METHODSA total of 164 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer by biopsy underwent radical prostatectomy. We retrospectively analyzed their age, prostate volume, preoperative PSA level, PSA density (PSAD) , the time interval between biopsy and surgery, the number of positive punctures, positive surgical margin, seminal vesicle invasion, lymphatic invasion, and Gleason scores from biopsy and prostatectomy. We also determined the predictors of Gleason score upgrading by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSOf the 164 cases analyzed, 95 (57.93% ) showed a consistency between the Gleason score of preoperative prostatic biopsy and that after radical prostatectomy, 55 (33.54% ) increased and 14 (8.52%) decreased after prostatectomy as compared with preoperative biopsy. The prostate volume (P < 0.01) and biopsy score (P < 0.05) were independent predictors of Gleason score upgrading. The risk of Gleason score upgrading was 27 times higher in the patients with the prostate volume ≤ 25 ml and 9 times higher in the 25-40 ml group than in the > 60 ml group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLow Gleason score of biopsy (≤ 6) and small prostate volume (≤ 40 ml) may be the predictors of Gleason score upgrading after radical prostatectomy.

Biopsy ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Grading ; Organ Size ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; classification ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Abstract: Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of pathogens causing bloodstream infection in hematology patients during treatment and to compare the effects of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) on them, so as to provide evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of bloodstream infection. Methods A total of 292 cases with bloodstream infection in hematology wards of the PLA General Hospital were collected from 2017 to 2021, which were divided into HSCT group and N-HSCT group according to whether performed HSCT or not. The epidemiological characteristics and influence of pathogenic bacteria in blood stream infection were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results A total of 362 strains of pathogenic bacteria were collected from 292 cases, including 106 strains in HSCT group (84 cases) and 256 strains in N-HSCT group (208 cases). Bloodstream infections were more common in acute myeloid leukemia (130/392, 44.52%), followed by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (74/292, 25.34%). The rate of once bloodstream infection in HSCT group was higher than that in N-HSCT Group, but the rate of twice bloodstream infections in N-HSCT group was higher. Gram-negative Bacilli were the most common pathogens (56.08%), with Escherichia coli being absolutely dominant (109/362, 30.11%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (39/362, 10.77%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (107/362, 29.56%) were the most common Gram-positive cocci. The detection rate of fungi in HSCT group (10/106, 9.43%) was significantly higher than that in N-HSCT Group (3.52%). The drug resistance rate of the common pathogenic bacteria was at a high level, and there was a certain proportion of multi-drug resistant strains (except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The resistance rates of CoNS to penicillin, gentamicin, moxifloxacin, clindamycin and rifampicin in HSCT group were higher than those in N-HSCT Group. The resistance rate of Escherichia coli to piperacillin/tazobactam, cephalosporins and etapenem in HSCT group was significantly higher than that in N-HSCT group. Conclusions The pathogens of blood stream infection in hematology patients are complicated and various. It is difficult for clinical diagnosis and treatment to detect multiple infections and multiple pathogens. HSCT patients have a higher risk of fungal bloodstream infection and more multi-drug resistant strains detected. Therefore, the identification of bloodstream infection and multi-drug resistant strains associated with HSCT patients should prompt surveillance.

Purpose: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of imidafenacin for overactive bladder (OAB) induced by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men receiving alpha-blocker monotherapy. Methods: We performed a systematic research of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases, and searched for studies about alpha-blocker with or without imidafenacin treatment for OAB in patients with BPH. We also investigated the original references of the included texts. Results: Four randomized controlled trials including 779 participants with BPH (389 in the alpha-blocker+imidafenacin group and 390 in the alpha-blocker only group) were studied. The main efficacy endpoint was the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, which showed a mean difference of -1.88 (95% confidence interval, -2.32 to -1.44; P<0.00001), suggesting that alpha-blocker and imidafenacin treatment was effective in treating men with OAB. As other primary efficacy end points, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) total score (P=0.47), the IPSS storage symptom score (P=0.07), the IPSS voiding symptom score (P=0.60), and the IPSS quality of life score (P=0.18) indicated that 2 methods had no significant differences in treating men with OAB. In terms of safety, which was assessed using postvoid residual volume (P=0.05) and maximum flow rate (P=0.53), the analysis suggested that combination treatment was very well tolerated. Conclusions This study suggested that imidafenacin plus alpha-blocker was an efficacious and safe treatment for OAB symptoms in BPH patients.

Objective To measure the bone mineral density(BMD)of mandible and investigate the relationship between mandible and the whole body skeleton BMD.Methods Healthy volunteers were recruited in north China,which were divided into 6 groups by age:≥20,≥30,≥40,≥50,≥60 and ≥70 years older,10 male and 10 female in each group.Dual-energy X-ray absoptiometery(DXA)was used to measure the BMD of the lumbar spine,the mentum of mandible and the mandibular angle.The results were analyzed statistically.Results The mineral density(MD )of the mentum was(1.310 9 ±0.035 5)g/cm2,the left mandibular angle(1.048 9 ± 0.013 7)g/cm2,the right mandibular angle (1.0547 ±0.014 1)g/cm2,the lumbar spine(L2-L4)(1.121 1±0.017 2)g/cm2.There was a significant difference in mandibular angle and lumbar MD between men and women(P＜0.05).The MD of mandibular angle and lumbar spine decreased significantly after 50 years of age.Conclusions The normal BMD of the mandibular mentum,mandibular angles and lumbar spine is obtained.The BMD of the mandibular angles is closely related to that of the lumbar spine.Mandible can be an appropriate measurement site in the evaluation of skeleton BMD status for the forecast of osteoporosis.

This study is designed to evaluate antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities of corn tassel extracts (CTTs). The major bioactive components of CTTs include flavonoid, saponin and polysaccharide. The antioxidant properties of the three bioactive components of CTTs were investigated by Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Property (FRAP) and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The activities of the extracts were determined by assessing the inhibition of mutagenicity of the direct-acting mutagen fenaminosulf, sodium azide, and indirect-acting mutagen 2-aminofluorene using the Ames test (strains TA98 and TA100). The results showed that the extraction rates of flavonoid, saponin, and polysaccharide from the dried corn tassels were 1.67%, 2.41% and 4.76% respectively. DPPH and FRAP assay strongly demonstrated that CTTs had antioxidant properties. CTTs at doses of 625, 1250 and 2500 μg per plate reduced 2-aminofluorene mutagenicity by 12.52%, 28.76% and 36.49% in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 strain assay respectively and by 10.98%, 25.27% and 37.83%, at the same doses in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 assay system, respectively. 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed that the different concentrations of CTTs inhibited the proliferation of MGC80-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). It is concluded that these integrated approaches to antioxidant and antigenotoxicity assessment may be useful to study corn tassel as a natural herbal material.
Antimutagenic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Biphenyl Compounds ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Fluorenes ; pharmacology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflorescence ; chemistry ; Mutagens ; pharmacology ; Picrates ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Salmonella typhimurium ; drug effects ; genetics ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Zea mays ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDThe optimal endpoint for catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) remains ambiguous. This study investigated the impact of AF termination as a procedural endpoint and the termination mode on long-term clinical outcome.

METHODSTwo hundred and ninety-three patients who underwent stepwise ablation for persistent AF were categorized into the AF termination by ablation group and into the electrical cardioversion (CV) group. Subgroups were also analyzed based on different termination modes. Follow-up assessment included early recurrence and sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance.

RESULTSDuring initial ablation, 33 patients (11.3%) were directly converted to SR, 166 patients (56.7%) were converted to atrial tachycardia (AT) that subsequently restored SR with further ablation in 98 patients (33.4%), and a total of 162 patients (55.3%) underwent cardioversion due to persistent atrial arrhythmias. Comparison between termination by ablation and termination by cardioversion in patients exhibiting AF or AT revealed that no significant difference was observed in early recurrence (38.2% vs. 43.8%, P = 0.328) and SR maintenance (67.2% vs. 59.8%, P = 0.198) during the (23 ± 7) months follow-up. Even after repeat ablation, the SR maintenance continued to exhibit no statistical difference in above two groups (72.5% vs. 70.4%, P = 0.686). Further analysis of subgroups, however, demonstrated that patients with AF terminated directly to SR experienced better clinical outcomes than other subgroups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, atrial arrhythmias present during ablation have been implicated in prediction of recurrence mode: AF or AT (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTermination as a procedural endpoint is not associated with favorable long-term SR maintenance in persistent AF. AF methods that convert arrhythmia directly to SR have, however, been linked with improved clinical outcomes, although conversions to AT may not be correlated. Atrial arrhythmias observed during the ablation may be used to predict the recurrence mode.

Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged