OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical effect and safety of the Chinese medicine Longbishu Capsule combined with mesylate doxazosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type.

METHODSThis was a randomized, double-blind, double-simulation control study. We equally assigned 60 men diagnosed with BPH of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type to an experimental and a control group, the former treated with mesylate doxazosin plus Longbishu Capsule and the latter with mesylate doxazosin plus placebo. We compared the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), Chinese symptom score (CSS), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), and prostate volume between the two groups of patients before and after 6 months of medication.

RESULTSAfter treatment, there were 5 cured cases, 13 markedly effective cases, 9 effective cases, 1 ineffective case, and 2 eliminated cases in the experimental group, as compared with 2 cured cases, 8 markedly effective cases, 10 effective cases, 7 ineffective cases, and 3 eliminated cases in the control group. The total effectiveness rate was obviously higher in the former (96.4%) than in the latter (74.1%). IPSS, Qmax, and CSS were improved in both of the groups after medication, even more significantly in the experimental than in the control group (IPSS: 15.22 ± 2.98 vs 18.15 ± 5.88, P <0.05; Qmax: [13.56 ± 2.26] ml/s vs [11.78 ± 2.97] ml/s, P <0.05; CSS: 6.18 ± 2.13 vs 9.52 ± 3.15, P <0.05). Because of the difference in the QOL score between the two groups at the baseline (P = 0.038 <0.05), no more comparison was made in this aspect after treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of Longbishu Capsule with mesylate doxazosin is safe and effective for the treatment of BPH.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Capsules ; Double-Blind Method ; Doxazosin ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; Urination

Objective To measure the concentration of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in neuron-like cells resulted from rat bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) differentiation induced by salvia miltiorrhiza injection and provide some theoretical basis for the BMSCs transplantation. Methods The rat BMSCs were separated from rat bone marrow and cultured in vitro. After induced by basic fibroblast growth factor and 10mL/L salvia miltiorrhiza injection, the cells were identified with immunofluorescence staining against NeuN. The same procedure was performed on primarily cultured hippocampal neurons. Then, the [Ca2+]i of the differentiated neuron-like cells was determined and compared with primarily cultured hippocampal neurons. Results The BMSCs after induced by basic fibroblast growth factor and salvia miltiorrhiza injection expressed neuronal phenotypes similar to the cell appearance of neurons with NeuN. The average fluorescence intensity of the neuron-like cells derived from BMSCs was 984.75±79.51, while the average fluorescence intensity of the primarily cultured hippocampal neurons was 769.42±60.93. No significant difference was found between them (P>0.05). Conclusion The neuron-like cells from rat BMSCs differentiation induced by salvia miltiorrhiza injection possess certain neuronal properties.

OBJECTIVETo establish a rapid nested multiplex PCR assay for subtyping HIV-1 CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC, CRF08_BC, B, and C strains prevailing in Guangxi.

METHODSubtype-specific primers were designed for these subtypes based on their gag sequences. The subtypes of HIV-1 samples from Guangxi were determined by nested multiplex PCR and DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, respectively, and then the sensitivity and the specificity of nested multiplex PCR were calculated.

RESULTSNested multiplex PCR could correctly classify the 5 known-subtype samples, and were not reactive to all HIV-negative samples. Of the 72 HIV-positive samples, 66 were correctly identified as CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC, CRF08_BC, and B by this assay, giving a sensitivity of 91.7% (66/72), and a specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSIONThis assay is a simple, fast, and cost-effective subtyping method for HIV-1 CRF01-AE, CRF07_BC, CRF08_BC, and B strains prevailing in Guangxi.

China ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Genotype ; HIV Infections ; virology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; economics ; methods

To investigate HIV-1 subtype distribution and prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance in Liuzhou and Nanning, a total of 304 HIV-infected subjects or AIDS patients from Liuzhou and Nanning were recruited. Whole blood was withdrawn from a peripheral vein of each subject. HIV RNA were extracted from plasma, and subjected to PCR amplification targeting HIV pol gene fragment and DNA sequencing. Sequences obtained were subtyped by phylogenetic analysis. Two subtypes, CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC, were found in subjects from Liuzhou, accounting for 75.2% and 24.8%, respectively. Subtype CRF01 AE, CRFO8_BC, B, and C were found in subjects from Nanning. CRF01_AE and CRF08 BC were still the dominant strains in Nanning, accounting for 85.8% and 11.5%, respectively. Sequences were also analyzed for drug resistance mutations, and rates of drug resistance were calculated. The rate of drug resistance was 3.3% in ART-naive subjects from Liuzhou, and 8.7% in the ART-experienced. For patients from Nanning, the rate was 1.4% in ART-naive subjects, and 27.5% in ART-experienced subjects.
Anti-HIV Agents ; pharmacology ; China ; epidemiology ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; Genotype ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; drug effects ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny

Objective:To explore the effect of high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids on NLRP3-IL-1β in human peritoneal mesothelial cells.Methods:HMrSV5 cells (SV40 immortalized human peritoneal mesothelial cell line) were grown in type Ⅰ collagen-coated dishes in DMEM/F12 containing 10％ fetal calf serum (FCS).All experiments on HMrSV5 cells were performed between passages 5 and 10.The cells were divided into 7 groups:control,1.5％ dextrose,2.5％ dextrose,4.25％ dextrose,rotenone,thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA),and antimycin A.Immunoblotting was used to evaluate the expression of IL-1 β.Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting NLRP3 was used to downregulate the expression of NLRP3 and Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of IL-1 β in human peritoneal mesothelial cells exposed to 4.25％ dextrose.In the meanwhile,resveratrol (RSV) was used to induce autophagy,3-methyladenine (3-MA) and siRNA against Beclin 1 or ATG5 were used to block autophagy,flow cytometric was used to analyze the respiring (mitotracker deep red),total (mitotracker green) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating mitochondria (mitoSOX);Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of IL-1β.Results:The IL-1β relative expressions were 0,0.175 ±0.082,0.418 ± 0.163,2.357 ±0.288,2.642 ±0.358,3.271 ±0.462,and 0.123 ±0.091,indicating that the cells exposed to high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids and cells treated with mitochondria respiratory chain key enzyme complex Ⅰ,and complex Ⅲ inhibitors increased the IL-1β expression.And we found that NLRP3 knock-down significantly blocked the upregulation of IL-1 β.In addition,the fluorescence intensity of total mitochondria and ROS-generating mitochondria in the following groups:control,negative control,RSV,3-MA,ATG5 siRNA,Beclin1 siRNA were 1.76 ± 0.42,1.83 ± 0.55,1.85 ± 0.62,7.36 ± 0.92,5.35 ± 0.77,5.06 ± 0.62 and 821.68 ± 95.12,868.15 ± 102.82,723.39 ± 92.56,1 660.08 ± 113.65,1 433.01 ± 107.24,1 562.36 ± 112.88 respectively.The increased concentrations of mitochondrial ROS and IL-1β upregulation were confirmed in the inhibition but not the induction of autophagy.We also found that downregulation of ATG5 and Beclin1 sensitized cells for the release of IL-1β induced by MSU (monosodium urate) or nigericin which was the NLRP3 inflammasome activator.RSV treatment attentuated this effect.Conclusion:Long-term application of high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids can trigger the consistent activation of NLRP3-IL-1ββ in peritoneal mesothelial cells.Timely initiation of autophagy may block the NLRP3-IL-1ββ activation and provide a basis for the further development of a potential therapeutic strategy for delay of chronic inflammation and peritoneal fibrosis associated with peritoneal dialysis.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate their long-term outcome and the efficacy and economic significance of antiviral drugs by investigating the long-term health-related quality of life (HQL) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODSThe HQL of 101 CHB patients with biopsy-proven 6 to 18 years ago and 105 persons of general population as control was studied with revised SF-36 questionnaire.

RESULTSThe HQL in CHB patients was lower than that in general population in physical functioning, role physical, general health, mental health, and specific symptoms (mu > or = 2.10, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe long-term HQL in chronic hepatitis B patients is poor.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cost of Illness ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; economics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To study the application of Geographic Information System(GIS)electronic fence technique in Onco-melania hupensis snail monitoring. Methods The electronic fence was set around the history and existing snail environments in the electronic map,the information about snail monitoring and controlling was linked to the electronic fence,and the snail moni-toring information system was established on these bases. The monitoring information was input through the computer and smart phone. Results The electronic fence around the history and existing snail environments was set in the electronic map(Baidu map),and the snail monitoring information system and smart phone APP were established. The monitoring information was input and upload real-time,and the snail monitoring information was demonstrated in real time on Baidu map. Conclusion By using the electronic fence technology based on GIS,the unique"environment electronic archives"for each snail monitoring environ-ment can be established in the electronic map,and real-time,dynamic monitoring and visual management can be realized.

Objective To construct the Oncomelania hupensis snail monitoring system based on the Baidu Map. Methods The environmental basic information about historical snail environment and existing snail environment,etc. was collected with the monitoring data about different kinds of O. hupensis snails,and then the O. hupensis snail monitoring system was built. Geo-graphic Information System(GIS)and the electronic fence technology and Application Program Interface(API)were applied to set up the electronic fence of the snail surveillance environments,and the electronic fence was connected to the database of the snail surveillance. Results The O. hupensis snail monitoring system based on the Baidu Map were built up,including three modules of O. hupensis Snail Monitoring Environmental Database,Dynamic Monitoring Platform and Electronic Map. The infor-mation about monitoring O. hupensis snails could be obtained through the computer and smartphone simultaneously. Conclu-sion The O. hupensis snail monitoring system,which is based on Baidu Map,is a visible platform to follow the process of snail-searching and molluscaciding.

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to investigate the value of postoperative chemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer patients who reached pathological ypT1-4N0 after neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

METHODSWe performed a retrospective study of 104 patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by radical resection, who achieved pathological ypT1-4N0, between Mar 2003 and Dec 2010. There were 73 patients who received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and the other 31 patients did not. The distribution of final pathologic stages for these patients was ypT1-2N0 in 39 cases and ypT3-4N0 in 65 cases.

RESULTSThe median follow-up was 41 months. The 3-year overall survival rate (OS) and recurrence-free survival rate (RFS) for the whole group (ypT1-4N0) were 93.4% and 85.3%, respectively. The 3-year OS and RFS in the adjuvant chemotherapy group and non-adjuvant chemotherapy group were 95.5%, 88.6% and 88.6%, 77.2%, respectively. There were no significant differences in 3-year RFS (P = 0.108) and OS (P = 0.106) between the two groups. The 3-year local recurrence and distant metastasis rates in the adjuvant chemotherapy group were 4.1% (3/73) and 5.5% (4/73), while for the non-adjuvant chemotherapy group, the 3-year local recurrence rate and distant metastasis rate were 3.2% (1/31) and 16.1% (5/31), respectively. Significant difference was found in distant metastasis rates (P = 0.030) between the two groups, but not in local recurrence rates (P = 0.676).Further subgroup analysis indicated that for the ypT1-2N0 patients, there were no significant differences in 3-year OS (P = 0.296) and RFS (P = 0.939) between the adjuvant and non-adjuvant chemotherapy groups, while negative results displayed in 3-year local recurrence rates (P = 0.676) and distant metastasis rates (P = 0.414). However, for patients with ypT3-4N0, significant differences were showed in both the 3-year OS (P = 0.034) and RFS (P = 0.025), and further analysis revealed that the 3-year distant metastasis rate was significantly higher in the non-adjuvant chemotherapy group than in the adjuvant chemotherapy group (P = 0.010) , but with non-significant difference in the 3-year local recurrence (P = 0.548).

CONCLUSIONSAdjuvant chemotherapy may not improve survival for ypT1-2N0 patients. However, it may be clinically meaningful for ypT3-4N0 patients by decreasing distant metastasis rate. Further randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm our results.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Deoxycytidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Postoperative Period ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; Rectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

Mitosis is important for cell proliferation in eukaryotes, and chromosome replication and accurate separation are essential for cell division. Supervillin is a membrane and microfilament actin binding protein. Previous studies have found that it regulates the dynamic changes of the cortical distribution of F-actin and myosin II in cytokinesis, thus ensuring the correct distribution of the contraction ring and participating in the final completion of cytoplasm divisions. But it is not clear whether it functions during metaphase. Supervillin has several splicing isomers, among which supervillin isoform 4 (SV4) is the largest splicing isomer. In this study, the expression of SV4 in cells was reduced by the RNA interference method, and the dynamic process of mitosis and the morphology of astral spindles were detected and observed by real-time microscopy and immunofluorescence staining, and the potential molecular mechanism of SV4 in mitosis was analyzed. The results showed abnormal cell divisions after SV4 reduction: delayed transition from metaphase to anaphase (P<0.001), abnormal assembly of microtubules, a twofold-increase of the number of cells with multipolar spindles, and decreased γ-tubulin signaling in the centrosome (P<0.001). Through GST pull-down and mass spectrometry experiments, we found that SV4 and Aurora A bind to each other, and SV4 regulates the localization and activation of Aurora A in the centrosome during mitosis. In summary, supervillin plays an important role in mitosis. The isomer SV4 regulates spindle integrity and γ-tubulin recruitment by interacting with Aurora A and recruiting it for proper localization and activation in the centrosome during the metaphase, thus promoting the correct assembly of bipolar spindles and ensuring the accurate separation of chromosomes and the smooth progress of mitosis.