OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) between the acupuncture-moxibustion therapy and the medication of Qianliekang tablets.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-eight patients were randomized into an acupuncture-moxibustion group and a Qianliekang group, 64 cases in each one. In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture was applied to Shenshu (BL 23), Pangguangshu (BL 28), Zhongji (CV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Shuidao (ST 28), and the warm moxibustion therapy with moxa stick was used at Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Shenque (CV 8), once every day. In the Qianliekang group, Qianliekang tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 4 tablets each time, three times a day, for 3 months. The International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) and the changes in residual urine (Ru) and maximal urine flow rate (Qmax) determined with the ultrasonic B test were compared before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTSThe results of I-PSS, Qmax and Ru were improved obviously after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.05). The improvements in the acupuncture-moxibustion group were much more obvious than those in the Qianliekang group [8.62 +/- 2.18 vs 15.26 +/- 2.81, (16.04 +/- 4.33) mL/s vs (12.47 +/- 2.13) mL/s, (10.43 +/- 2.14) mL vs (32.13 +/- 3.24) mL, all P < 0.01]. The total effective rate was 89.1% (57/64) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group, which was better than 68.7% (44/64) in the Qianliekang group.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture-moxibustion therapy achieves the significant efficacy on BPH, which is better than the oral administration of Qianliekang tablets.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Urination

A multi-functional microfluidic chip with multi-orifice flow fractionation ( MOFF) and magnetic capture technique was developed to specifically separate and capture the HepG2 cells in artificial samples. The chip contained a glass substrate and a polydimethylsiloxane ( PDMS) microchannel cover plate. The PDMS cover plate consisted of 3 injection channels of 10-mm-long, a MOFF separation zone and a hexagonal cavity cell enrichment-detection zone. Among which, the MOFF separation zone had a total length of 20 mm and was consisted of 80 semi-rhombic shrinkage / expansion units with a length of 0. 18 mm, a depth of 50 μm, a shrinkage area width of 0. 06 mm, and an expansion area of 0. 20 mm. The angle between each group of shrinkage / expansion units was 103. 0°. In this experiment, HepG2-blood cell suspension was used as the sample. Based on the principle that the magnetic bead surface-modified c-Met antibody could specifically bind to HepG2 cells, an immunomagnetic bead ( Anti-MNCs) suspension at a concentration of 50 μg / mL was prepared by surface carboxylated beads, EDC (1 mg / mL), NHS (1 mg / mL) and c-Met antibody. Under the optimized flow rate (50 μL/ min), a few HepG2 in suspension samples were efficiently captured at the detection zone of chip via a magnetic field; the carbon quantum dots were prepared by microwave heating with citric acid and thiourea to label HepG2 cells which achieved in-situ fluorescence visualization of captured HepG2. Cells captured in the chip detection area were counted by microscope. The capture rate of HepG2 cells was 88. 5% ±6. 7% (106 blood cells and 10 HepG2 cells per 500 μL). The results demonstrated that the developed multifunctional microfluidic chip may serve as a promising tool for separation and capture of tumour cells.

Objective To investigate the expressions of survivin, cyclooxyenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and their relationship with angiogenesis in condyloma acuminatum (CA) tissues. Methods Immunohistochemistry using PowerVision staining kit was performed to detect the expression of survivin, COX-2 and VEGF protein in 60 CA tissue samples from patients and 21 normal skin samples from the foreskin of human controls. At the same time, the microvessel density was determined in CA tissues by staining blood vessel endothelium with anti-CD105 monoclonal antibody. Results The positivity rate of survivin and COX-2 expression was 56.67% and 63.33%, in CA tissues, 9.52% and 0 in normal skin tissues, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups of tissue samples in the positivity rate and intensity of survivin and COX-2 expression (all P < 0.05). VEGF was expressed in all of the CA tissues and normal skin tissues, while the intensity of VEGF expression was statistically different between the two groups of tissue samples (P < 0.05). The MVD was 16.38 ± 5.46 and 0.62 ± 0.44 in CA tissues and normal skin tissues, respectively (P < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the expressions of survivin, COX-2 and VEGF, as well as between MVD and the expressions of survivin and COX-2 in CA tissues. Conclusion The expression levels of survivin, COX-2 and VEGF are significantly higher in CA tissues than in normal skin tissues.

An acute myeloid leukemic HB-1 cell line was cloned and established from the spleen cells of irradiated CBA/N mice. Acute myeloma leukemia-like syndrome would be induced in normal CBA/N mice after intravenous injection of HB-1 cells, and the death of mouse happened within about two weeks. In general, leukemic cells transplanted into the mice would infiltrate into the hematopoietic organs, lungs, kidneys and liver. An interesting observation in our study was that HB-1 cells were present not only in the lung, kidney, and liver but also in the cerebrum and cerebellum. It was beyond our expectation that the leukemic cells could go through the blood-brain barrier in most circumstances. On the basis of the observation, we expect that HB-1 cells could be used as a very useful model to elucidate the mechanism of infiltrating the blood-brain barrier for certain type of cells.
Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; physiopathology ; Brain ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; Leukemia, Experimental ; pathology ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred CBA ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Transplantation

Objective To evaluate the relationship between G894T(Glu298Asp) polymorphism in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)gene and essential hypertension in Chinese population from difierent regions.Methods Odds ratios(Ors) of G894T genotype and allele distributions in essential hypertension patients against healthy controls were analyzed.All the relevant studies were screened with poor-qualified studies eliminated.Meta-analysis software MIX(Meta-analysis with interactive explanations-version 1.71),was applied for investigating and analyzing heterogeneity among individual studies and summarizing the effects across studies,and the risk of publication bias was evaluated.Results A total of 1900 cases and 1216 controls from 10 studies were included.The heterogeneity between studies Was significant(P=0.013;P=0.011) and there were substantial sources of Publication bias(P=0.049;P=0.038).The pooled OR(with 95% CI) of GT+TT vs.GG genotype was 1.79(1.33-2.42)(Z=3.83,P<0.001),and the pooled OR (with 95% CI) of T vs.G allele Was 1.73(1.32-2.27)(Z=3.92,P<0.001).Conclusion In Chinese population,mainly the Hans ethnic group,894G→T mutation in the eNOS appeared to be related to essential hypertension.

In this study, the active components and potential molecular .mechanism of Guizhi Fuling formula in treatment on dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation, and hysteromyoma were investigated using network pharmacological methods. Sterols and pentacyclic triterpenes, with high moleculal network degree, revealed promising effects on anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-tumor, and immune-regulation, according to D-T network analysis. On the other hand, the targets with high degree were involved in inflammatory, coagulation, angiopoiesis, smooth muscle contraction, and cell reproduction, which showed the novel function in anti-dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation, and hysteromyoma. Furthermore, the formula was indicated to play a key role in smooth muscle proliferation, inhibition of new vessels, circulation improvement, reduction of hormone secretion, alleviation of smooth muscle, block of arachidonic acid metabolism, and inflammation in uterus. Thus, the main mechanism of Guizhi Fuling formula was summarized. In conclusion, Guizhi Fuling formula was proven to alleviated dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation, and hysteromyoma by acting on multiple targets through several bioactive compounds, regulating 21 biological pathways.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Dysmenorrhea ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate JAK2 exon 12 mutations in patients with Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and the clinical characteristics of patients with JAK2 exon 12 mutants.

METHODSAllele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) was applied to identify JAK2 V617F mutation. Genomic DNA corresponding to exon 12 of JAK2 gene and epigenetic regulator gene (TET2, ASXL1, EZH2) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Identification of mutants was by direct sequencing and classification of mutation types by sequencing followed by plasmid cloning. SNP genotyping of two 46/1 tag SNPs, rs12340895 and rs10974944, was analyzed using commercially available Taqman assays on the 7500HT real-time PCR instrument according to standard protocols.

RESULTSNo JAK2 exon 12 mutation was detected in patients with ET, PMF or JAK2 V617F positive PV. Among 13 JAK2 V617F negative PV patients, JAK2 exon 12 mutation was detected as N542-E543del in 2(15.4%) patients who presented with a phenotype of predominant erythrocytosis and erythroid colonic grown from their bone marrow samples in the absence of exogenous EPO, reduced serum erythropoietin (EPO) level, and no mutations in TET2, ASXL1 or EZH2 genes. One of the affected patients was heterozygous for 46/1 but the second was negative for this haplotype.

CONCLUSIONThere was no need to detect JAK2 exon 12 mutation in ET, PMF or MPN-U patients without JAK2 V67F mutation. Ph negative MPN patients with JAK2 exon 12 mutations had somewhat unique clinical and laboratory features.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Marrow Neoplasms ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; genetics ; Philadelphia Chromosome ; Young Adult

Previous studies proposed that the synergistic effect of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) and insulin may be due to the improvement of insulin sensitivity by FGF-21. However, there is no experimental evidence to support this. This study was designed to elucidate the mechanism of synergistic effect of FGF-21 and insulin in the regulation of glucose metabolism. The synergistic effect of FGF-21 and insulin on regulating glucose metabolism was demonstrated by investigating the glucose absorption rate by insulin resistance HepG2 cell model and the blood glucose chances in type 2 diabetic db/db mice after treatments with different concentrations of FGF-21 or/and insulin; The synergistic metabolism was revealed through detecting GLUT1 and GLUT4 transcription levels in the liver by real-time PCR method. The experimental results showed that FGF-21 and insulin have a synergistic effect on the regulation of glucose metabolism. The results of real-time PCR showed that the effective dose of FGF-21 could up-regulate the transcription level of GLUT1 in a dose-dependent manner, but had no effect on the transcription level of GLUT4. Insulin (4 u) alone could up-regulate the transcription level of GLUT4, yet had no effect on that of GLUT1. Ineffective dose 0.1 mg kg(-1) FGF-21 alone could not change the transcription level of GLUT1 or GLUT4. However, when the ineffective dose 0.1 mg x kg(-1) FGF-21 was used in combination with insulin (4 u) significantly increased the transcription levels of both GLUT1 and GLUT4, the transcription level of GLUT1 was similar to that treated with 5 time concentration of FGF-21 alone; the transcription level of GLUT4 is higher than that treated with insulin (4 u) alone. In summary, in the presence of FGF-21, insulin increases the sensitivity of FGF-21 through enhancing GLUT1 transcription. Vice versa, FGF-21 increases the sensitivity of insulin by stimulating GLUT4 transcription in the presence of insulin. FGF-21 and insulin exert a synergistic effect on glucose metabolism through mutual sensitization.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Drug Synergism ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glucose Transporter Type 1 ; metabolism ; Glucose Transporter Type 4 ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Insulin Resistance ; Liver ; metabolism ; Mice

BACKGROUNDClinical programs for preventing beta-thalassemia are presently based on prospective carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis. This paper report an achievement of a pregnancy with unaffected embryos using in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), in combination with preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), for a couple at risk of having children with beta-thalassemia.

METHODSA couple carrying different thalassemia mutations, both a codon 41 - 42 mutation and the IVS II 654 mutation, received standard IVF treatment, with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo biopsiy, single cell polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA analysis. Only unaffected or carrier embryos were transferred to the uterine cavity. After confirmation of pregnancy, a prenatal diagnosis was performed.

RESULTSOf a total of 13 embryos analyzed for beta-globin mutations, PGD indicated that 2 were normal, 3 were affected, and 6 were carriers. Diagnosis could not be made in the other 2 embryos. Three embryos were transferred to the uterus on the third day after oocyte retrieval. Ultrasonography revealed a twin pregnancy with one blighted ovum. The prenatal genetic diagnosis revealed that both fetuses were unaffected, and two healthy boys were born, confirming the results of PGD.

CONCLUSIONSWe developed a single-cell based primer extension preamplification (PEP)-PCR assay for the detection of beta-thalassemia mutations. The assays were efficient and accurate at all stages of the procedure, and resulted in the birth of PGD-confirmed beta-thalassemia free children in China. PEP was used here in PGD for beta-thalassemia.

Adult ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; beta-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore characteristics of the myelin-like bodies in the hepatocytes of patients with Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) complicated with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODS11 cases of DJS complicated with CHB and 5 cases DJS without CHB were studied clinicopathologically. The hepatocyte ultrastructure was observed with transmission electron microscope and taken photos. The data were compared and analyzed using Fisher's Exact Test.

RESULTSDeposition of myelin-like bodies can be observed in the hepatocytes of DJS patients with CHB but can not in DJS patients without CHB. The morphology of pigment varys. The electron density and volume of pigment in DJS patients with CHB can be classified into five types: brights (2/11,18.2%), reticulation (1/11, 9.1%), punctiform (6/11, 54.5%), abnormity (1/11, 9.1%) and primary type (1/11, 9.1%). The myelin-like bodies in the hepatocytes of patients with DJS are high density and round with membrance (we named it as primary type) (5/5, 100%).

CONCLUSIONSThe myelin-like bodies in the hepatocytes of DJS patients with CHB possess special pleomorphism and may have important diagnostic value.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; pathology ; Hepatocytes ; chemistry ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Jaundice, Chronic Idiopathic ; complications ; pathology ; Male ; Myelin Sheath ; ultrastructure ; Young Adult