Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of 2 mg/d and 4 mg/d of terazosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).Methods A total of 120 BPH patients were randomly divided into 2 groups receiving 2 mg or 4 mg terazosin per day for 2 months. Arterial blood pressure, International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) and peak flow rate (Qmax) before and after treatment were compared while side effects were estimated. Results Forty-six patients receiving 2 mg and 54 patients receiving 4 mg terazosin completed this study. Patients' age and pre-treatment blood pressure, IPSS and Qmax had no difference between the 2 groups. The improvement of IPSS (including obstructive score, irritating score and total IPSS) and Qmax was significantly better in 4 mg group. The percentage of patients experiencing greater than 30% improvement in Qmax in the 4 mg treatment groups was significantly higher than that of the 2 mg group (46.3% vs 23.9%, P=0.02). Side effects were rare and mild in both groups.Conclusion The improvements of IPSS and Qmax are significantly greater in 4 mg treatment of terazosin than that of 2 mg with no obvious increase of side effects.

Objective To investigate the role of perioperative antiviral therapy with Entecavir for patients with hepatitis B virus related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) with low serum HBV DNA levels.Methods The HVB-HCC patients were randomly divided into 2 groups.Patients in the antiviral group received Entecavir 4 days before hepatic resection while patients in the control group received no antiviral treatment.The serum HBV DNA,liver function,morbidity and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups.Results Sixteen patients in the control group (n =44) developed HBV reactivation.On the other hand,only 1 patient in the antiviral group (n =44) developed HBV reactivation.Recovery in liver function in the antiviral group was much faster than the control group,especially for glutamic-pyruvic transaminase level.The antiviral group had significantly lower morbidity and shorter total or postoperative hospitalization (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Patients with HBV-HCC with low levels of HBV DNA have a high risk of developing HBV reactivation in the perioperative period.Perioperative antiviral therapy was safe and efficacious in preventing HBV reactivation,improved liver function,reduced postoperative complications and shortened hospitalization.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Huanglian Jiedu decoction (EAHD) on hyphae development of Candida albicans.

METHODInverted microscope, fluorescence microscope, SEM were applied to inspect the Morphological change of C. albicans treated by EAHD at different concentrations. Solid agar plate was utilized to evaluate the colony morphology. Quantitative Real-ime PCR(qRT-PCR) was adopted to observe the expression of hyphae-specific genes such as HWP1, ALS3, UME6, CSH1, SUN41, CaPDE2.

RESULTEAHD with concentration of 312 and 1 250 mg . L-1 could inhibit formation of hyphae and colony morphology. The expression of HWP1, ALS3, UME6, CSH1 were downregulated 4. 13, 3. 64, 2. 46, 2. 75 folds ,while the expression of SUN41 were upregulated 7. 26 folds, CaPDE2 keep unchanged.

CONCLUSIONEAHD could inhibit formation of hyphae and colony morphologies of C. albicans through downregulating HWP1, ALS3, UME6 and CSH1.

Acetates ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Candida albicans ; cytology ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; drug effects ; Hyphae ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Along with the increase in fungal infections, Candida albicans prevention and control become the focus of anti-fungal infection at present. This study aims to discuss the effect monomer andrographolide (AG) on C. albicans biofilm dispersion. In the experiment, micro-well plates and medical catheter pieces were used to establish the C. albicans biofilm model. It was discovered by XTT assay and flat band method that 1 000, 500, 250 mg x L(-1) AG could impact the activity of C. albicans biofilm dispersion cells. The morphological structures of residual biofilms on catheter pieces were observed with scanning electron microscopy, which showed that 1 000, 500, 250 mg x L(-1) AG could induce C. albicans biofilm dispersion in a dose-dependent manner, and the dispersed cells were dominated by the yeast phase. According to the real-time fluorescence quantification PCR (qRT-PCR) test, AG could up-regulate HSP90 expression and down-regulate UME6 and PES1 expressions. This study demonstrates that AG could induce C. albicans biofilm dispersion to some extent.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; Candida albicans ; genetics ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; drug effects ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Huanglian Jiedu decoction (EAHD) , alone and in combination with fluconazole (FLZ) on FLZ-resistant Candida albicans.

METHODThe minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and sessile MIC80 (SMIC80) of EAHD and FLZ to FLZ-resistant C. albicans were determined by CLSI M27-A3 microdilution method, and the synergy of EAHD combined with FLZ were examined by the checkerboard microdilution assay. Agar plate-method was adopted to observe the rate of antifungal activity according to time-kill curve. HPLC and qRT-PCR were utilized to evaluate the changes of ergosterol content and expressions of related genes, respectively.

RESULTMICs of EAHD ranged from 156 to 1,250 mg · L(-1), those of FLZ from 256 to above 2,048 mg · L(-1) with FICI approximate 0.066 in combination; SMIC80 of EAHD were higher than 1,250 mg · L(-1), SMIC80 of FLZ were higher than 512 mg · L(-1) and up to above 2,048 mg · L(-1). Combination group also showed synergy effect except one group showing addition effect. The results of T-K experiment also confirmed obviously fungicidal effect when treated for 12 h. When compared with control groups, the ergosterol was reduced 85% and 50% in the treatments of combination and EAHD alone by HPLC, respective- ly. The expressions of ERG1, ERG2, ERG6, ERG7 and ERG11 were upregulated, and ACS1, ACS2, MET6 were downregulated when exposed to FLZ. The expressions of the above genes were downregulated by treatment of EAHD. The expressions of ERG2, ERG6, ERG11 were upregulated, while ERG1, ERG7, ACS1, ACS2, MET6 were downregulated in combination group.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of EAHD and FLZ exhibited synergy against FLZ-resistant C. albicans through decreasing the synthesis of ergosterol, and resulting in the breakage of cell membrane.

Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ergosterol ; biosynthesis ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

OBJECTIVETo investigate anti-attachment effect of ethyl acetate extract of Huanglian Jiedu decoction (EAHD) on Candida glabrata.

METHODSerial 2-fold dilution assay was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations MICs of EAHD to C. glabrata. XTT assay was used to evaluate the effect of EAHD against adhesion of C. glabrata. Inverted microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) staining were applied to observe the morphological changes of C. glabrata in adhesion. PCR was adopted to inspect the expression of attachment-related genes such as EPA1, EPA6 and EPA7.

RESULTThe MIC of EAHD and fluconazole to C. glabrata were 320 mg · L(-1) and 1 mg · L(-1) respectively. The total cells including budding cells decreased in a dose-dependent manner following EAHD treatment. The expressions of EPA1, EPA6 and EPA7 were downregulated dramatically after EAHD treatment.

CONCLUSIONEAHD could effectively inhibit adherence of C. glabrata.

Acetates ; Candida glabrata ; drug effects ; physiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Lectins ; genetics ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of andrographolide derivative Yanhuning (YHN) on Candida albicans biofilms in rats.

METHODThe rat C. albicans biofilms subcutaneous catheter model was established by intraperitoneally injecting YHN (40, 20, 10, 5, 2.5 mg x kg (-1)), with the FLC (80 mg x kg(-1)) positive group as the control group. After 7 d, CFU counting and XTT assay were used to evaluate the effect of YHN on C. albicans biofllms in vivo. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to observe the morphological changes in rat biofilms intervened by YHN. The real-time fluorescence quantification PCR was adopted to detect expressions of C. albicans adhesion-related genes, such as ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, EAP1 and MP65.

RESULTThe YHN group showed much less CFUs on catheter pieces and lower XTT metabolic activity than the blank group, with dosage dependence. SEM also showed that YHN could obviously decrease C. albicans adhesion on subcutaneous catheters in rats. According to qRT-PCR's results, YHN can down-regulate expressions of ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, EAP1 and MP65.

CONCLUSIONYHN could inhibit C. albicans biofilms in rats.

Animals ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Candida albicans ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Catheters ; microbiology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Rats

Objective To investigate the current status of endemic fluorosis in Shandong province, and to provide scientific evidence for the development of control strategies. Methods According to "The National Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control in 2007", 19 counties were chosen to carry out the epidemiological investigation in 2008. Water and urinary fluoride were determined by F-ion selective electrode, dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 were diagnosed by Dean method and skeletal fluorosis of adults over the age of 16 were examined clinically and by X-rays. Results In 19 counties, 186 villages were surveyed, 44 villages were found with mean water fluoride ≤ 1.00 mg/L, accounting for 23.66%(44/186);the value ＞ 1.00 mg/L in 142 villages,accounting for 76.34% (142/186);maximum water fluoride 8.88 mg/L. Total detection rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 66.35% (4518/6809), dental fluorosis index was 1.55, and defect rate was 15.39%(1048/6809). Children with urinary fluoride ＞ 1.40 mg/L was 83.29%(2149/2580), and the maximum value was 31.92 mg/L. Detection rates of skeletal fluorosis clinically and by X ray among adults over 16 years were 6.37%(5577/87 607) and 20.23% (229/1132), respectively. Conclusions Endemic fluorosis in Shandong province is still serious, prevention efforts need to be further increased.

Aim To investigate the effect and mecha-nism of valproic acid on neuroglobin expression, and the neuroprotective role of valproic acid against H2 O2-induced neurotoxicity. Methods Western blot, RT-PCR and luciferase assay were used to detect the pro-tein levels, mRNA levels and promoter activity of mouse and human neuroglobin induced by valproic acid. Luciferase assay was used to investigate the role of transcription factor CREB in the up-regulation of neuroglobin by valproic acid. MTT assay was used to evaluate the effect of valproic acid against H2 O2-in-duced neurotoxicity. Results VPA treatment marked-ly increased the protein levels, mRNA levels and pro-moter activity of Ngb in mouse N2 a cells and human SKNSH cells. CREB specific inhibitor KG501 or CREB dominant negative mutant KCREB attenuated VPA-induced Ngb promoter activity. VPA could pro-tect N2a cells from H2 O2-induced neurotoxicity. Con-clusion CREB mediates VPA-induced Ngb up-regula-tion, which may contribute to the neuroprotective effects of VPA in oxidative stress in neurons.

Objective （ ） To explore the influence of perceived organizational support POS and psychological resilience on （ - ）Methods presenteeism behavior in medical staff in the prevention and control of coronavirus disease COVID 19 . Doctors - - and nurses engaged in the front line work of prevention and control in the four designated hospitals for the treatment of COVID ， 19 in Guangdong Province Hunan Province and Jiangsu Province were selected as the research subjects using a random cluster ， - - sampling method. The Survey of Perceived Organizational Support Scale the 10 item Connor Davidson Resilience Scale and - ， Results Standford Presenteeism Scale 6 were used to investigate their POS psychological resilience and presenteeism. The ， （ ），（ ） （ ）， total scores of POS psychological resilience and presenteeism were 44.9±7.6 31.2±5.7 and 18.5±3.7 respectively. （ Both POS and psychological resilience had negative effect on presenteeism standardized regression coefficient were −0.59 ， P ） ［ and −0.38 both <0.01 . Psychological resilience played a partial mediating role between POS and presenteeism 95% （ - ）， ］ Conclusion confidence interval −0.22 −0.09 the mediating effect ratio was 23.4% . Both POS and psychological - ， resilience can directly affect the presenteeism behavior of medical staff in COVID 19 prevention and control and POS can also indirectly affect their presenteeism by affecting psychological resilience.