Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a complex disease that is often accompanied by mental health disorders. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the heterogeneous clinical presentation of CP/CPPS remain uncertain. This study analyzed widely targeted metabolomic data of expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) and plasma to reveal the underlying pathological mechanisms of CP/CPPS. A total of 24 CP/CPPS patients from The Second Nanning People's Hospital (Nanning, China), and 35 asymptomatic control individuals from First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (Nanning, China) were enrolled. The indicators related to CP/CPPS and psychiatric symptoms were recorded. Differential analysis, coexpression network analysis, and correlation analysis were performed to identify metabolites that were specifically altered in patients and associated with various phenotypes of CP/CPPS. The crucial links between EPS and plasma were further investigated. The metabolomic data of EPS from CP/CPPS patients were significantly different from those from control individuals. Pathway analysis revealed dysregulation of amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the citrate cycle in EPS. The tryptophan metabolic pathway was found to be the most significantly altered pathway associated with distinct CP/CPPS phenotypes. Moreover, the dysregulation of tryptophan and tyrosine metabolism and elevation of oxidative stress-related metabolites in plasma were found to effectively elucidate the development of depression in CP/CPPS. Overall, metabolomic alterations in the EPS and plasma of patients were primarily associated with oxidative damage, energy metabolism abnormalities, neurological impairment, and immune dysregulation. These alterations may be associated with chronic pain, voiding symptoms, reduced fertility, and depression in CP/CPPS. This study provides a local-global perspective for understanding the pathological mechanisms of CP/CPPS and offers potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatitis/blood* ; Adult ; Pelvic Pain/blood* ; Metabolomics ; Prostate/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Chronic Pain/blood* ; Metabolome ; Case-Control Studies ; Tryptophan/blood* ; Depression/blood* ; Oxidative Stress/physiology* ; Chronic Disease ; Lipid Metabolism/physiology*

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for rectal cancer with intestinal stenosis caused by tumors. Methods Forty-nine patients with rectal cancer underwent transrectal CEUS and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before surgery.Intraoperative tumor localization and postoperative pathological results were taken as the gold standard for diagnosis.The differences in T stage,localization,and tumor length of rectal cancer were compared between the two methods. Results The total accuracy rates of transrectal CEUS and MRI in diagnosing T stage were 75.5% (36/49) and 67.3% (33/49),which had no significant difference (χ²=0.8,P=0.371).The total accuracy rates of transrectal CEUS and MRI in judging tumor localization were 79.5% (39/49) and 77.5% (38/49),which had no significant difference (χ²=0.061,P=0.806).The measurement results of tumor length in pathological examination had no significant difference from the transrectal CEUS results (t=1.42,P=0.162) but a significant difference from the MRI results (t=3.38,P=0.001).Furthermore,transrectal CEUS detected 8 (16.3%) cases of colonic polyps among the 49 patients,while MRI did not detect colon lesions. Conclusions Transrectal CEUS has good consistency with MRI in T staging and localization judgement of rectal cancer with intestinal stenosis,and this method can more accurately evaluate the tumor length and simultaneously evaluate whether there is a lesion in the entire colon at the proximal end of stenosis.It can be used as a supplementary examination before rectal cancer treatment in clinical practice.
Humans ; Rectal Neoplasms/complications* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Aged ; Contrast Media ; Ultrasonography ; Adult ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Constriction, Pathologic/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Intestinal Obstruction/etiology*

Aim To explore the mechanisms of PM2.5 exposure exacerbating bleomycin(BLM)-induced idio-pathic pulmonary fibrosis(IFP)by regulating ferropto-sis via nuclear factor 2 related factor 2(Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase(GPX)4 axis.Methods Forty C57BL/6J mice were randomized into the control,BLM,PM2.5,BLM+PM2.5 and sulforaphane(SFN,Nrf2 agonist)groups,with eight mice in each group.PM2.5 expo-sures were conducted to the BLM-induced IPF mice for two weeks.The lung function was measured,and the content of hydroxyproline(HYP)in lung tissue and the pathomorphology of lungs were observed.Reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),ferrous ion(Fe2+)and glutathione(GSH)of the lung tissue were measured by ELISA.The mRNA and pro-teins levels of Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4,collagen typeⅠ(COL-1),α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)and Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the lung function of mice was signif-icantly reduced(P＜0.01)in the BLM and PM2.5 groups,while lung tissue showed the characteristic pathological changes of pulmonary fibrosis such as a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration,alveolar wall fracture,thickening,collagen deposition,and sig-nificantly increased HYP,Fe2+,ROS,MDA(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),genes and proteins of COL-1,α-SMA(P＜0.01);and decreased GSH,Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4 genes and proteins(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The above-mentioned lesions were markedly aggravated in the BLM+PM2.5 group compared with the BLM(P＜0.05)and PM2.5 groups(P＜0.01),and were also improved in the SFN group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusions PM2.5 exposures can exac-erbate IPF-induced IPF in mice,and the regulating of Nrf2/SLC7 A1 1/GPX4 axis and ferroptosis might be in-volved in the related mechanisms.

Aim To explore the mechanisms of PM2.5 exposure exacerbating bleomycin(BLM)-induced idio-pathic pulmonary fibrosis(IFP)by regulating ferropto-sis via nuclear factor 2 related factor 2(Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase(GPX)4 axis.Methods Forty C57BL/6J mice were randomized into the control,BLM,PM2.5,BLM+PM2.5 and sulforaphane(SFN,Nrf2 agonist)groups,with eight mice in each group.PM2.5 expo-sures were conducted to the BLM-induced IPF mice for two weeks.The lung function was measured,and the content of hydroxyproline(HYP)in lung tissue and the pathomorphology of lungs were observed.Reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),ferrous ion(Fe2+)and glutathione(GSH)of the lung tissue were measured by ELISA.The mRNA and pro-teins levels of Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4,collagen typeⅠ(COL-1),α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)and Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the lung function of mice was signif-icantly reduced(P＜0.01)in the BLM and PM2.5 groups,while lung tissue showed the characteristic pathological changes of pulmonary fibrosis such as a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration,alveolar wall fracture,thickening,collagen deposition,and sig-nificantly increased HYP,Fe2+,ROS,MDA(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),genes and proteins of COL-1,α-SMA(P＜0.01);and decreased GSH,Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4 genes and proteins(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The above-mentioned lesions were markedly aggravated in the BLM+PM2.5 group compared with the BLM(P＜0.05)and PM2.5 groups(P＜0.01),and were also improved in the SFN group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusions PM2.5 exposures can exac-erbate IPF-induced IPF in mice,and the regulating of Nrf2/SLC7 A1 1/GPX4 axis and ferroptosis might be in-volved in the related mechanisms.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Shehuang Ointment(mainly composed of Cnidii Fructus,Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex,and Zanthoxyli Pericarpium)for the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis(SD).Methods Seventy-two patients with facial SD were randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 36 patients in each group.Both groups of patients were given oral use of Acrivastine Capsules and Vitamin B6 Tablets,and additionally,the observation group was given topical application of modified Shehuang Ointment and the control group was given topical application of 2%Ketoconazole cream.The course of treatment covered 4 weeks.The changes of clinical symptom scores and dermatology life quality index(DLQI)scores in the two groups were observed before and after treatment,and the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were also evaluated.Results(1)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 88.89%(32/36),and that of the control group was 72.22%(26/36).The intergroup comparison showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the clinical symptom scores of erythema,scales,grease,rash area,itchiness and other clinical symptoms of the patients in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the clinical symptom scores of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group,the differences being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the DLQI scores of patients in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the DLQI scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group after treatment,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)During the treatment period,no significant adverse reactions occurred in the two groups of patients,with high safety.Conclusion The conventional western medicine treatment combined with topical application of modified Shehuang Ointment exerts certain effect in the treatment of facial SD,which can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids(ω-3 PUFA)on chronic atrophic gastritis of rats.Methods A rat model of chronic atrophic gastritis was established by synthetic method.The rats successfully modeled were randomly divided into model group,experimental-L group,experimental-M group,experimental-H group,positive control group.Normal rats were selected as the normal group.There were 9 rats in each group.Experimental-L,-M,-H groups were given 3,6 and 12 mL·kg-1ω-3 PUFA daily,respectively.The positive control group was given 0.24 g·kg-1 vitacoenzyme suspension daily.Normal group and model group were given the same amount of 0.9％NaCl.Each group was given the drug for 12 weeks.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect serum interleukin-1 β(IL-1β)level.In situ end labeling staining(TUNEL)was used to detecte the apoptosis of gastric mucosa.Relevant kits were used to detect the level of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malonaldehyde(MDA).Results IL-1 β levels in normal group,model group,experimental-L,-M,-H groups and positive control group were(58.96±8.23),(140.02±19.65),(109.81±14.35),(98.72±12.64),(85.31±11.42)and(77.64±10.23)pg·mL-1,respectively;apoptotic indices were(7.89±1.36)％,(77.12±10.05)％,(42.33±6.87)％,(31.05±5.29)％,(22.76±4.16)％and(16.89±3.05)％,respectively;SOD levels were(398.71±58.24),(170.25±29.81),(249.81±34.26),(268.04±34.11),(322.15±46.36)and(276.42±29.81)U·mg-1,respectively;MDA levels were(3.55±0.87),(11.02±2.15),(8.02±1.50),(6.92±1.23),(5.98±1.27)and(6.67±1.32)U·mg-1,respectively.Compared with normal group,the above indexes were significantly different in model group(all P＜0.01);compared with model group,the above indexes were significantly different in experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups and positive control group(all P＜0.01).Conclusionω-3 PUFA can ameliorate chronic atrophic gastritis of rats,and the mechanism may be related to the anti-inflammatory,anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidative stress effects of to-3 PUFA.

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety between hypofractionated radiotherapy(HyRt)and conventional radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery.Methods This study was a single-center,prospective,randomized controlled study.Eighty-three patients with pTis-T2N0M0 breast cancer admitted to Tangshan People's Hospital from May 2017 to May 2019 were included.The patients received breast-conserving surgery+sentinel lymph node biopsy(SLNB).After surgery,they were treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT).According to random table method,patients were divided into HyRt group(n=41)and conventional radiotherapy group(n=42).The dose of organs at risk,treatment efficacy,treatment failure modes,and radiotherapy related adverse reactions were analyzed in the two groups.The radiotherapy-related adverse reactions were evaluated according to NCI CTC AE Version 3.0,including radiation dermatitis,radiation pneumonia,breast/skin fibrosis,pulmonary fibrosis,etc.Results Eighty-three patients with breast cancer were included,with a median age of 44(26-67)years.There was no statistically significant difference in clinical parameters such as age(P=0.443),TNM stage(P=0.335),molecular typing(P=0.333),degree of differentiation(P=0.617),and pathological type(P=0.127)between the two groups of patients.Compared with conventional radiotherapy group,the V5(25.6％vs.33.8％,P=0.015),V20(13.3％vs.17.2％,P=0.042),and the mean radiation dose(MLD;7.4 Gy vs.10.4 Gy,P=0.020)of the affected lung of HyRt group significantly decreased.Only 3 patients in this study experienced distant metastasis,and no regional lymph node metastasis or local recurrence was observed.There was no significant difference in PFS rate at 2 years between HyRt group and conventional radiotherapy group(94.4％vs.85.2％,P=0.818).Compared with conventional radiotherapy group,the incidence of≥grade Ⅱ irradiation dermatitis in HyRt group was significantly reduced(2.4％vs.21.4％,P=0.015).There was no difference in the incidence of grade Ⅰ breast/skin fibrosis(19.5％vs.14.3％,P=0.570)between the two groups,and no grade Ⅲ radiotherapy-related side effects were observed in the two groups.Conclusions Compared with conventional radiotherapy with simultaneously integrated boosting-intensity modulated radiotherapy,the patients who received HyRt after breast-conserving surgery for early-stage breast cancer have good tolerance and low incidence of adverse reactions.HyRt can be used as the first option of radiation therapy.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the detection and diagnosis process of two cases with double rare thalassemia genotypes,explore the causes of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of rare thalassemia,and improve the diagnosis level of rare thalassemia.Methods:Base on the family history,hematological phenotype and hemoglobin electrophoretic analysis results,the common genotypes of α and β-thalassemia were detected by PCR+diversion hybridization.DNA sequencing technology was used for rare α and β protein genes sequencing.Results:Both subjects were combined with double rare thalassemia genotypes,and both rare thalassemia gene combinations were reported for the first time.One of them was αβ complex thalassemia with αα*53_55 del TCC/αα heterozygous merger βIVS Ⅱ2(-T)/βN heterozygous,the other was ααIVS-Ⅱ-55(T→G)in α1/αα4,2-Q double azygous heterozygous α-thalassemia,among whichαα*53_55 del TCC/αα genotype was also reported for the first time.Conclusion:The reported rare gene type αα*53_55 del TCC/αα and two cases of rare gene combinations enriches the spectrum of gene mutations in the Chinese population,and provides richer molecular information for thalassemia diagnosis and eugenics counseling.

Objective To understand the antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia spp.from member units of Hu-nan Province Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System from 2012 to 2021.Methods According to the technical scheme of China Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System(CARSS),data about Escherichia spp.and the anti-microbial susceptibility testing results reported from member units of Hunan Province Antimicrobial Resistance Sur-veillance System were analyzed by WHONET 5.6 software.Results From 2012 to 2021,a total of 476 351 clini-cally isolated Escherichia spp.were collected,475 520 of which were Escherichia coli,accounting for 99.8％;92.6％were isolated from inpatients;39.3％were isolated from urine specimens.Over the past 10 years,the proportion of Escherichia spp.in total detected pathogens remained relatively stable,ranging 20％-23％,the lowest rate was 18.7％in 2012,and the highest rate was 22.9％in 2015.In the past 10 years,the resistance rates of Escherichia spp.to ampicillin,ceftriaxone,cefotaxime and ampicillin/sulbactam were＞80％,＞47％,＞45％,and＞39％,respectively;resistance rates to piperacillin/tazobactam,cefoperazone/sulbactam,and nitrofurantoin were all＜8％,to tigecycline,amikacin,imipenem,and meropenem(except in 2012)were all＜5％.Resistance of Escherichia spp.to 22 commonly clinically used antimicrobial agents fluctuated,but overall trend decreased year by year.The resistance rates of Escherichia spp.from patients in the intensive care unit(ICU),non-ICU patients,outpatients,and emergency patients to 22 clinically commonly used antimicrobial agents were compared among different depart-ments,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The resistance rates of Escherichia spp.iso-lated from ICU and non-ICU patients were compared,and except for tigecycline,the resistance rates to the other 21 antimicrobial agents were statistically different(all P＜0.05).The resistance rates of Escherichia spp.isolated from patients to commonly clinically used antimicrobial agents were statistically different among patients of different age groups(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Escherichia spp.isolated from patients in different years,departments,specimens,and ages have different resistance to commonly used antimicrobial agents.It is necessary to continue to strengthen the surveillance on bacterial resistance,so as to guide the rational choice of antimicrobial agents.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of external application of Liangxue Chushi Zhiyang Powder(composed of Isatidis Folium,Chrysanthemi Flos,Sophorae Flavescentis Radix,Schizonepetae Spica,and Zanthoxyli Pericarpium,etc.)in the treatment of facial dermatitis,and to analyze its effect on skin barrier function of the patients.Methods Seventy-two patients with facial dermatitis were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group,with 36 cases in each group.The control group was treated with Butyl Flufenamic Ointment for external use and Ebastine Tablets orally,while the observation group was given cold and wet compress of Liangxue Chushi Zhiyang Powder on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment of both groups covered three weeks.Before and after the treatment,the changes of subjective and objective symptom scores as well as skin barrier function indicators of the two groups were observed.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions of the two groups were assessed.Results(1)After three weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 75.00%(27/36),and that of the control group was 47.22%(17/36);the intergroup comparison showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(χ2=5.844,P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the scores of objective symptoms such as erythema,inflammatory papules,desquamation,swelling,and lesion area in the two groups were significantly decreased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of the scores of erythema,inflammatory papules and lesion area in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).The differences in the scores of desquamation and swelling between the two groups were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).(3)After treatment,the scores of subjective symptoms such as itching,burning,stabbing pain,dryness/tightness of the skin in the two groups were significantly decreased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of the scores of each subjective symptom in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the skin barrier function indicators such as trans-epidermal water loss(TEWL)and skin pH value of the two groups were significantly lowered(P＜0.05),and stratum corneum hydration(SCH)and sebum(SEB)content were significantly increased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of TEWL and pH value as well as the increase of SCH and SEB content in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(5)During the treatment,no serious adverse reactions occurred in the two groups of patients.The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 8.33%(3/36),and that in the control group was 5.66%(2/36),and the difference was not statistically significant(χ2=0.215,P＞0.05).Conclusion The cold and wet compress of Liangxue Chushi Zhiyang Powder exerts certain efficacy in the treatment of facial dermatitis,which is effective on markedly relieving the subjective and objective symptoms of the patients,and improving the skin barrier function,with few and mild adverse reaction.