Objective To investigate the effect of infecting betamethasone dipropionate 5mg/betamethasone disodium hydrogen phosphate 2mg in articular genu cavity on osteoarthritis.Methods 100 patients were randomly divided into two groups, the treatment group and the control group. The treatment group was treated with diprospan,injected into the inside of knuckle. The control group was treated with oral administration NSAIDs. Results In treatment group the rate of amelioration was 84% after one injection,the rate of amelioration was 90% after one course of treatment. Conclusion Injected diprospan into the inside of knuckle could relieve pain of arthritides, improve the function of arthrosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the finasteride application during the off-cycle of intermittent androgen blockade (IAB) in patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with IAB.MethodsEighty-seven patients with advanced prostate cancer were divided into two groups: forty-nine patients received IAB (group A), and thirty-eight patients underwent IAB and finasteride during the off-cycle of IAB (group B). The time of treatment cycle and the time to disease progression were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe patients in group A completed 89 treatment cycles and the mean cycle length was (12.8±5.4) months [treatment time and non-treatment time were (6.6±3.5) months and (7.1±4.8) months, respectively]. The patients in group B completed 85 cycles and the mean cycle length was (15.3±5.9) months [treatment time and non-treatment time were (6.9±3.2) months and (9.2v±3.9) months, respectively]. There was a significant difference between group A and B in the mean cycle length and the non-treatment time (P=0.0428,P=0.03).The 3-year progression rate was ( 34.8±3.5 )% in group A and ( 28.4±2.7)% in groups B ( P=0.035). ConclusionsThe application of finasteride during the off-cycle of IAB in patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with intermittent androgen blockade (IAB) can delay progression of advanced prostate cancer.

Objective To investigate the quality of life in man after treatment of advanced prostate cancer by surgical castration. Methods A total of 69 patients with advanced prostate cancer treated by sur-gical castration completed the European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and QLQ-prostate specific 25-item (PR25) module third at a 12-month interval.The assessment points were preoporative,6 months postoperative and 12 months postoperative. Results Although there were improvement on pain relief (P ＜ 0.01 ) and symptom of urinary (P ＜ 0.01 ) and global health (P ＜ 0.01 ), the physical functioning (P ＜ 0.05 ), role functioning (P ＜ 0.01 ), emotional functioning (P ＜ 0.01 ), cognitive functioning (P ＜ 0.05 ), social functioning (P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01 ) were found significantly reduced , and insomnia (P ＜ 0.05) and fatigue (P ＜ 0.01 ) aggravated, treatment related symptoms (P ＜0.01 )appeared predominantly, especially deprivation of sexual functioning. Conclusion The surgical cas-tration when treating advanced prostate cancer did appear to impair the physical and psychological of patients, especially the sexual functioning.

OBJECTIVETo construct sub-unit vaccines of dengue virus type 1 to 4 and to analyze its immunogenicity.

METHODSEnvelope domain III s of dengue serotypes 1 and 2, as well as 3 and 4, were spliced by a linker (Gly-Gly-Ser-Gly-Ser)3 and cloned into vector pET-30a, then transformed into E. coli to express recombinant fusion proteins. The recombinant proteins were purified by high-performance liquid chromatography and mixed to immunize BALB/c mice. The neutralizing antibodies were tested by neutralizing assay, as well as in newborn mice challenged intracranially with dengue virus type 1 to 4.

RESULTSMice immunized with proteins could produce neutralizing antibodies, with titers of 1:34. 9, 1: 45.3, 1: 24.7 and 1:38.4 for DEN-1 to 4 respectively. 100% newborn mice challenged with DEN-1 or 2 in combination with sera from mice immunized with recombinant proteins were protected, whereas 83% protection was obtained when challenged with DEN-3 or 4.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant proteins possess excellent immunogenicity to induce neutralizing antibodies and would be valuable for development of a tetravalent sub-unit vaccine.

Animals ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; immunology ; Dengue Vaccines ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Dengue Virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neutralization Tests ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; genetics ; immunology

Objective: To quantitatively evaluate the abnormal tense of parasympathetic nerve via measuring the heart rate deceleration capacity (DC) and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with vasovagal syncope (VVS).
Methods: Our research included 2 groups: VVS group,n=28 patients with positive head-up tilt test treated in our hospital from 2013-06 to 2014-08 and Control group,n=30 patients without cardiovascular disorders. The DC and HRV were examined and compared between 2 groups.
Results:① The overall deceleration capacity (ODC) (9.4 ± 2.9) ms and daytime deceleration capacity (DDC) (8.9 ± 2.9) ms in VVS group were higher than those in Control group (7.5 ± 2.5) ms and (7.5 ± 2.5) ms respectively,P<0.05.② More patients in VVS group presented daytime-to-nighttime deceleration capacity ratio (DNratio) >1 than those in Control group (9/28, 32.1% vs 2/30, 6.7%),P=0.019.③ The SDNN (139.8 ± 34.0) ms, SDSD (29.9 ± 15.7) ms and rMSSD (40.9 ± 18.8) ms in VVS group were higher than those in Control group, (115.5 ± 29.4) ms, (21.8 ± 6.6) ms and (28.9 ± 8.4) ms respectively,P<0.05.④ Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that ODC was positively related to vasovagal syncope occurrence (OR=2.045, 95% CI: 1.100-3.801,P=0.024).
Conclusion: VVS patients have abnormally increased indexes of DC and HRV, HDC is the predictor for vasovagal syncope occurrence.

OBJECTIVETo examine the expression of tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) in gallbladder cancer (GBC) and to investigate the anti-cancer activities of TFPI-2 against the growth of GBC.

METHODSTFPI-2 expression in gallbladder normal tissues, gallbladder polyp (GBP) tissues and GBC tissues were examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunohistochemical staining. Adenovirus carrying human TFPI-2 gene (Ad5-TFPI-2) were constructed and its anti-cancer effects were investigated in xenograft tumors. Xenograft tumors were constructed by injection of GBC-SD and SGC-996 cells into the flank of nude mice and the volume of xenograft tumors was measured every 3 days until the sacrifice of mice. The apoptosis index of xenograft tumors was examined by TUNEL assay. The status of Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 was examined by Western blot assay.

RESULTSTFPI-2 expression was profoundly lower in GBC tissues (87.0%) when compared to normal tissues (23.3%) and GBP tissues (52.2%; χ(2) = 21.104, P = 0.000). Ad-TFPI-2 significantly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice. Ad-TFPI-2 inhibited GBC-SD cell growth through the induction of apoptosis. The means of total apoptotic cells per field were much higher in Ad5-TFPI-2 group than those in PBS and Ad5-GFP groups. Ad5-TFPI-2 elevated the expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3, while it decreased the expression of Bcl-2.

CONCLUSIONSTFPI-2 gene and protein was down-regulated in GBC and the down-regulation of TFPI-2 may play a role in the tumorigenesis of GBC. Adenovirus-mediated TFPI-2 can inhibit GBC growth through the induction of apoptosis.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Aged ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Genetic Therapy ; Glycoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Male infertility (MI) is a complex multifactorial disease, and idiopathic infertility accounts for 30% of cases of MI. At present, the evidence for the effectiveness of empirical drugs is limited, and in vitro fertilization is costly and may increase the risk of birth defects and childhood cancers. Therefore, affected individuals may feel obliged to pursue natural remedies. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may represent a useful option for infertile men. It has been demonstrated that TCM can regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis and boost the function of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. TCM can also alleviate inflammation, prevent oxidative stress, reduce the DNA fragmentation index, and modulate the proliferation and apoptosis of germ cells. Furthermore, TCM can supply trace elements and vitamins, ameliorate the microcirculation of the testis, decrease the levels of serum anti-sperm antibody, and modify epigenetic markers. However, the evidence in favor of TCM is not compelling, which has hindered the development of TCM. This review attempts to elucidate the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of TCM. We also explore the advantages of TCM, differences between TCM and Western medicine, and problems in existing studies. Subsequently, we propose solutions to these problems and present perspectives for the future development of TCM.
Apoptosis ; Congenital Abnormalities ; DNA Fragmentation ; Epigenomics ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Infertility ; Infertility, Male ; Inflammation ; Leydig Cells ; Male ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Microcirculation ; Oxidative Stress ; Sertoli Cells ; Testis ; Trace Elements ; Vitamins

No abstract available.
Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic* ; Humans

In order to characterize the molecular epidemiology of HFMD-associated Coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) in Fujian Province, a total of 1340 specimens from non-EV71 non-CVA16 HFMD patients were collected during 2011-2013. Isolated virus strains were identified and subtyped. Full-length coding regions for the VP1 gene of the predominant serotype CVA6 isolates were amplified and sequenced. Among the 375 non-EV71 non-CVA16 HFMD cases confirmed by virus isolation and molecular subtyping, 182 (48.5%) were found to be caused by CVA6, accounting for 7.9%, 16.2% and 39.6% HFMD-associated enteroviruses in FujianProvince during 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively. Compared with general features observed in the HFMD epidemic, no difference in CVA6-specificity or severity rates was observed between geographical origins, gender, or age groups. Nucleotide sequence analyses of VP1 genes revealed high diversity levels of 16.2%-18.6% among CVA6 strains from Fujian Province, in contrast to the prototype CVA6 strain, and showed low levels of diversity in the amino acid sequences (4.3%-6.2%). Phylogenetic analysis also indicated that CVA6 isolates from Fujian Province were distinct from the prototype strain and other isolates from abroad; however, it was homologous to domestic strains, although the Fujian isolates clustered into multiple branches. These results suggested that significant changes in the pathogenic spectrum of HFMD in Fujian Province occurred during 2011-2013, as CVA6 was one of the predominant serotypes of HFMD. CVA6 isolates from Fujian Province were co-circulating and co-evolving with other domestic strains as multiple closely related CVA6 transmission chains were observed in Fujian Province overall and within each prefecture.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Evolution, Molecular ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny

The aim of this study was to investigate the renal function in 149 patients receiving myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) from June 2005 to June 2010 in our hospital, and analyze the risk factors resulting in kidney insufficiency and experience in diagnose and therapy. The creatinine clearance (CrCL) and serial creatinine level were evaluated before and after allo-HSCT within 100 days and 1 year. Non-radiation conditioning regimens were used for any patients. The acute kidney insufficiency (AKI) was defined as at least a 1.5-fold rise in serum creatinine level after allo-HSCT within the first 100 days. The chronic kidney insufficiency (CKI) was defined as the creatinine clearance < basal level within 3 months to 1 year after allo-HSCT. The results showed that the kidney insufficiency was found in 41 patients, in which the incidence of AKI was 32/149 (21.5%). CsA, amphotericin B (P = 0.025) and ES (P = 0.022) were defined as risk factors for AKI. The incidence of CKI was 18/138 (13%). cGVHD (P = 0.013) and TA-TMA (P = 0.012) were associated with the development of CKI. The 2-year survival was lower in patients with kidney dysfunction than that in patients without kidney dysfunction (39% vs 74.1%, P < 0.001). The main factors resulting in kidney insufficiency were defined as infection (52%), GVHD (20%), TA-TMA (12%) and tumor relapse (12%). It is concluded that kidney insufficiency is an important complication of allo-HSCT. Careful monitoring kidney function, minimizing the use of amphotericin B, prophylaxis and effective treatment of fungal infection, GVHD and TA-TMA may be effective preventive measures to decrease the incidence of kidney insufficiency.
Acute Kidney Injury ; etiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Insufficiency ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Young Adult