OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of the common Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome pattern of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) with the contents of substance p and beta endorphin in the plasma, and provide reference data for the clinical diagnosis, differentiation and treatment of CPPS by TCM.

METHODSWe observed 98 cases of CPPS, which were classified into a lower-part damp-heat invasion group (group A, n = 32), a blood stasis-induced collateral obstruction group (group B, n = 34), and a damp-heat stagnation group (group C, n = 32) according to the TCM syndrome differentiation. Another 35 normal healthy young men were enrolled as controls. We measured the contents of substance p and beta endorphin in the plasma by immunoradiometry and ELISA, and analyzed their relationship with the TCM syndrome pattern.

RESULTSThe contents of plasma substance p were significantly higher in groups A ([1135.76 +/- 166.45] pg/ml), B ([1 337.84 +/- 170.81] pg/ml), and C ([1 210.01 +/- 162.27] pg/ml) than in the control ([574.99 +/- 113.09] pg/ml) (all P < 0.01), while the contents of plasma beta endorphin in groups A ([212.70 +/- 29.49] pg/ml), B ([157.99 +/- 24.01] pg/ml), and C ([180.81 +/- 20.20] pg/ml) were remarkably lower than that in the control ([274.73 +/- 27.64] pg/ml) (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn the plasma of CPPS patients, the content of substance p is significantly elevated and that of beta endorphin markedly reduced, which suggests that they may be involved in the inflammatory reaction of CPPS. The levels of plasma substance p and beta endorphin can be used as valuable reference for the TCM classification of chronic prostatitis.

Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects ; Pelvic Pain ; blood ; classification ; Prostatitis ; blood ; classification ; Substance P ; blood ; Syndrome ; beta-Endorphin ; blood

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy difference in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome of Sev-damp-heat stagnation pattern between acupoint catgut embedding therapy and western medication.

METHODSenty cases were randomized into a catgut embedding group (40 cases) and a western medication group (30 cases) at the ratio of 4 : 3. In the catgut embedding group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied to Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Quchi (LI 11), Huiyin (CV 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongji (CV 3), Shenshu (BL 23), etc. The treatment was given once every two weeks, the treatment for 4 weeks was as one session and totally 2 sessions were required. In the western medication group, tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules 0. 2 mg, oral administration, once a day, and Indometacin sustained release tablets, 75 mg, once a day, 3 tablets each time were prescribed. The symptom score of TCM, score of NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), lecithin body number in prostatic fluid, (SAS) score of Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and score of Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were compared before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups. The efficacy was evaluated in the two groups.

RESULTS(1)The total effective rate was 91. 9% (34/37) in the catgutembedding group and was 86. 2% (25/29) in the western medication group. The efficacy in the catgutembedding group was better than that in the western medication group (P<0. 05). (2) The symptom score of TCM was all reduced significantly after treatment in the two groups (both P<0.01), and the result in the catgut embedding group was superior to the western medication group (6.42 +/-2. 81 vs 10. 99+/-3. 11 ,P<0. 01). (3) Lecithin body number was increased apparently in the two groups after treatment (both P<0.01), and the result in the catgut-embedding group was superior to the western medicine group (33.56+/-5.88 vs 29. 78+/-7. 06,P<0. 05). (4) Total score of NIH-CPSI, score of pain, score of SAS and score of SDS were all improved apparently after treatment in the two groups (all P<0. 01), and the results in the catgut embedding group were superior to the western medication group (P<0. 01, P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint catgut embedding therapy achieves the superior efficacy on chronic pelvic pain syndrome of damp-heat stagnation pattern as compared with conventional western medicine. This therapy relieves clinical symptoms, improves the states of anxiety and depression and increases lecithin body number obviously.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Pain ; therapy ; Prostatitis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the drug resistance genes of extended-spectrum beta- lactamase-producing bacteria in 49 strains.Methods Extended-spectrum ?-lactamase -producing strains were detected by the disc diffusion test.The techniques of polymerase chain reaction,sequence analysis, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were used to analyze the genotype and homology of extended-spectrum ?- lactamase-producing strains.Results The incidence of ESBL-producing strains from E.coli,K pneumoniae,K oxytoca,was 20% in 2000,and 40% in 2003.Among the 49 ESBLs producers the most common genotype was CTX-M-14( n=33).The others were CTX-M-3,CTX-M-9,CTX-M-12,CTX-M-15, CTX-M-24 and SHVSa.Both two CTX-M subtypes,CTX-M-3 and CTX-M-14,were detected in one strain. However,4 ESBL-producing strains confirmed by phenotype remained untyped.The results showed that the ESBLs producers were not closely related,except for two strains of E.coli and two strains of K.pneumoniae which were homgenic respectively.Concolusions The incidence of ESBL-producing strains increases with years.The most common genotype of ESBLs is CTX-M.There is no evidence for epidemiologic spread of ESBL-producers by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the genotypes of plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamases carried in Klebsiella pneumoniae,to provide reasonable use of antibacterial agents and to reduce the spread of these drug resistant genes.METHODS Two hundred and eighteen strains of K.pneumoniae were performed in Tongji Hospital in Wuhan.Plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamases-producing strains were screened by improved three-dimensional method and identified by multiplex PCR.DNA sequencing method was used to confirm these drug resistant strains.The MIC of 15 kinds of antibacterial agents against the clinical isolates was detected by double agar dilution method.RESULTS Thirteen strains of K.pneumoniae were detected by improved three-dimensional method.The detection rates were 5.96%.There were seven of thirteen positive strains of K.pneumoniae through improved three-dimensional method harboring DHA-1 type plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamase by multiplex PCR and confirmed by DNA sequencing.Plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamase producers revealed a highly drug resistance to cephalosporins,monobactams,beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations,aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones.Only imipenem was susceptible to all of these detected strains.CONCLUSIONS DHA-1 plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamase is detected in K.pneumoniae strains from Tongji Hospital.The detection rate is 3.2%.The pAmpC-producing strains reveal multi-drug resistance.Only imipenem is susceptible to them.

To investigate the cytotoxicity of the homemade peptide cationic liposome CDO14 and its efficacy of RNA interference (RNAi). MTT method was used to determine the cytotoxicity of the liposome to a human lung cancer cell line Luc-A549 that can express luciferase stably. Luciferase siRNA (Luc-siRNA) was transfected into Luc-A549 cells by CDO14. Contents of luciferase in the transfected cells were detected by luminous instrument and contents of total protein in these cells were detected by BCA method. Nude mice were inoculated with Luc-A549 cells in axilla to establish xenograft tumor model. Complexes of Luc-siRNA and the cationic liposomes were injected into the modeling mice via tail vein. Contents of luciferase in the transfected mice were detected by the whole body imaging system. The cytotoxicity of the homemade cationic liposome was similar to that of commercial liposome DOTAP, and lower than that of Lipo2000. The siRNA transfection efficacy mediated by CDO14 was higher than that mediated by DOTAP. The homemade peptide cationic liposome CDO14 is expected to serve as delivery vector in gene therapy because of its low cytotoxicity and high transfection efficiency.
Animals ; Cations ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Liposomes ; Luciferases ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Peptides ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection

Objective Using the function of 256-layer iCT in the determination of cardiac function and arterial elasticity index, to compare the arterial elasticity, left ventricular function and their correlation between patients with aortic dissection and non-dissected controls, and to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of patients with aortic dissection. Methods This study selected 36 cases in our emergency department,with chest, back or abdominal pain, whose clinical symptoms were highly suggestive of aortic dissection, and plain or enhanced diagnosis confirmed aortic dissection as a case group. At the same time, we randomly selected 40 cases without aortic dissection as the control group. All subjects underwent CTA one-stop scanning and measurement of elastic and cardiac function at the same level. According to the measurement results, the arterial elasticity indexes and the measured cardiac function of the case group and the control group were evaluated and compared so that to evaluate the arterial elasticity and its correlation with left ventricular function in patients with aortic dissection. Results patients's arterial expansion and compliance in patients with aortic dissection were significantly lower than the control group (P＜0.05) . The mean diameter change rate and stiffness of the patients with dissection were significantly lower than those in the control group (P＞0.05) . The difference was not statistically significant. The mean stiffness in patients with aortic dissection was significantly higher than non-aortic dissection patients. In patients with aortic dissection, the mean arterial diameter change rate, expandability and arterial stiffness showed a highly negative correlation. There was no significant correlation between arterial elasticity index and cardiac function in patients with Stanford type A and Stanford type B aortic dissection. There was no significant correlation between each elasticity index and cardiac function in the control group (r＜0.3) . Conclusion CTA one-stop scan can be used as an important measure of arterial elasticity, cardiac function and other parameters in patients with aortic dissection. Significantly lower aortic expansion and compliance, increased stiffness, insignificant changes in cardiac function, and insignificant correlation between cardiac function and each elasticity index in patients with early aortic dissection all have a clinical significance.

OBJECTIVETo obtain a series of objective criteria associated with pharyngeal swallowing function using dynamic swallow study in Chinese adults.

METHODSDynamic videofluoroscopic swallow studies were performed on 80 normal adult volunteers. There were 40 males and 40 females aged from 20 to 60 years old. Measurement software Avidemux 2.5 and Image J were used to measure the objective parameters which were closely related to the pharyngeal swallowing function in the swallowing process, such as maximum displacement of the hyoid bone (HmaxD), pharyngeal transit time (PTT), pharyngeal constriction ratio(PCR), and maximum opening of the esophageal entrance (EEmax).

RESULTSIn the 80 adults, the HmaxD, PTT, PCR, and EEmax were (1.91 ± 0.48) cm (x(-) ± s), (0.82 ± 0.15) s, 94.9% ± 3.41%, and (0.91 ± 0.05) cm respectively. The HmaxD of the male (2.04 ± 0.46) cm was significantly larger than that of the female (1.78 ± 0.47) cm (t = 2.44, P = 0.017), but the PTT, PCR, and EEmax had no significant difference between different gender and age groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSObjective parameters of the HmaxD, PTT, PCR, and EEmax during swallowing are obtained in Chinese adults. These data are important for assessment of the swallow function and these data provide a foundation for further research on assessment of swallowing function in Chinese.

Adult ; Deglutition ; physiology ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Larynx ; physiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pharynx ; physiology ; Reference Values ; Young Adult

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM) in the infant of diabetic mother is transient, nonfamilial condition with morphologic and functional abnormalities that resemble familial HCM. However, unlike ""true"" HCM, the cardiomyopathy of infants of diabetic mothers is usually innocent and transient, resolving during the first 6 months of life. Cardiorespiratory distress may improve within 2 to 4 weeks. Reported are two cases of infants with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, attributed to maternal diabetes. These infants developed respiratory distress within a few hours after birth, but needed only supportive care. Echocardiogram showed myocardial hypertrophy regressing over two to four months.
Cardiomyopathies ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic* ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Infant* ; Mothers* ; Parturition

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy of 3 different treatment programs for oligospermia patients of Shen-essence deficiency syndrome (SEDS).

METHODSTotally 450 male patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups, i.e., the treatment group, the control group 1, and the control group 2, 150 in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated by Bushen Yijing Decoction (BYD), tamoxifen tablet (TT), Licorzine Capsule (LC), and Vitamin E Soft Capsule (VESC). Those in the control group 1 were treated by BYD, LC, and VESC. Those in the control group 2 were treated by TT, LC, and VESC. All patients were treated for 3 months. Their pregnant rates were compared. Clinical efficacies of each Chinese medical symptom and sperm parameters [sperm density, grade a sperm motility rate, grade (a + b) sperm motility rate, grade (a + b + c) sperm motility rate, and normal sperm morphology rate] were compared before and after treatment.

RESULTSAt 3 months after treatment 61 patients were pregnant in the treatment group, 36 patients were pregnant in the control group 1, and 30 patients were pregnant in the control group 2. The differences in the sperm density, grade a sperm motility rate, and grade (a + b) sperm motility rate, and grade (a + b + c) sperm motility rate between before and after treatment were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group 1 and the control group 2 (P < 0.01). The difference in the normal sperm morphology rate between before and after treatment was obviously higher in the treatment group and the control group 1 than in the control group 2 (P < 0.01). Better results were obtained in the treatment group and the control group 1 in improving the sexual apathy, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, impotence, premature ejaculation, seminal emission, dizziness, tinnitus, forgetfulness, alopecia, when compared with the control group 2 (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the total effective rate of improving Chinese medical symptoms between the treatment group and the control group 1 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBYD combined with TT, LC, and VESC could significantly improve sperm qualities and clinical Chinese medical symptoms of oligospermia patients of SEDS.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Oligospermia ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo measure simultaneously the time course for the circadian rhythm of brown adipose tissue(BAT) thermogenesis and core temperature, and analyzing their temporal relationship.

METHODSThe circadian rhythm of core temperature (Tc), BAT temperature (T(BAT)), axillary temperature (Tax) and motor activity were simultaneously measured by telemetry in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats at an ambient temperature of 22 degrees C during a 12-h light:12-h dark photoperiod (lights on at 06:00 h and lights off at 18:00 h).

RESULTS(1) T(BAT) was 0.67 degrees C lower than Tc group under the light phase, but it was similar to that Tc during the dark phase. The rate of increase in T(BAT) was higher than corresponding increases in Tc at the start of transition from the light to dark phase, and increase in T(BAT) commenced approximately 8 min before Tc increases. Whereas at the start of transition from the dark to light phase, decrease in T(BAT) commenced approximately 4 min before Tc decreases. (2) The amplitude of the circadian Tax rhythm was similar to that of Tc. During either the light phase or dark phase, Tax was lower than simultaneous measurement of Tc. (3) Increases in behavioral activity commenced before increases in T(BAT) and Tc at the start of transition from the light to dark phase.

CONCLUSIONBAT thermogenesis contributes to increase in core temperature during the dark phase, indicating that circadian changes of BAT thermogenesis does indeed play significant role in the overall maintenance of the circadian rhythm of core temperature.

Adipose Tissue, Brown ; metabolism ; physiology ; Animals ; Body Temperature ; physiology ; Circadian Rhythm ; physiology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Telemetry ; methods ; Thermogenesis ; physiology