Consensus ; Critical Illness ; Humans ; Serum Albumin ; Serum Albumin, Human

Analgesia ; methods ; Betacoronavirus ; Conscious Sedation ; methods ; Consensus ; Coronavirus Infections ; complications ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; complications

The Dendrobium species are rare and endangered medicinal plants, and it is difficult to investigate their wild resources with conventional methods because of typical epiphytic herbaceous. We explored Dendrobium resources(include culture resource) of Qinba Mountains and the boundary Mountain area in Hubei, Chongqing using the methods of literatures and field investigation, and found that the cultural base of Dendrobium were profound in Qinba Mountains region. Furthermore, its germplasm resources of Dendrobium were established for the first time in Wanzhou Luotian town. In case the advantages of local rock resources and poverty alleviation demand, we have actively carried out the cultivating mode of Dendrobium which grow on rock, and the poverty alleviation model of local characteristic Dendrobium industry were established preliminarily. Our application case can provide reference for the mining and transformation of traditional Chinese medicine resources census results.
Agriculture ; economics ; China ; Dendrobium ; growth & development ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Poverty

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Qiangjing Tablets (QJT) on sperm quality and the MAPK signaling pathway in the SD rat model of asthenospermia (AS).

METHODSA total of 100 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number, blank control, AS model control, high-dose QJT, medium-dose QJT, and low-dose QJT. All the rats were intragastrically administered ORN at 200 mg/kg/d for establishment of the AS model except those in the blank control group, which were given 1% CMC sodium solution at 1 ml/100 g by gavage. Meanwhile the animals of the high-, medium-, and low-dose QJT groups were gavaged with QJT at 6700, 3300 and 1700 mg/kg/d, respectively, qd 6 days a week for 20 days. Then the testis issue and the apoptosis of the testicular cells were observed under the electron microscope, the expression of vimentin in the testis was determined with the immunohistochemical SP method, that of ERK1/2 detected by Western blot, and the concentration of TGF-β1 in the semen measured by ELISA.

RESULTSThe AS model controls showed round nuclei of spermatocytes, homogeneously distributed chromatins, broken or lost mitochondria, and expanded rough endoplasmic reticulum in the testis tissue. In comparison, the rats of the high-, medium-, and low-dose QJT groups exhibited round nuclei of spermatocytes, homogeneously distributed chromatins, and well-structured mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosome, which were all similar those of the blank controls. Compared with the blank controls, the AS model rats manifested significantly increased expressions of ERK1/2 (1.00 ± 0.00 vs 1.26 ± 0.10, P<0.01) and vimentin (0.16 ± 0.01 vs 0.17 ± 0.01, P<0.01) and apoptosis rate of cells in the testis tissue (［9.20 ± 3.07］ vs ［42.20 ± 9.17］ %, P<0.01), but decreased level of TGF-β1 in the semen (［627.67 ± 26.07］ vs ［566.73 ± 68.44］ ng/ml, P<0.05). In comparison with the model controls, the rats of the high- and medium- -dose QJT groups presented remarkably down-regulated expressions of ERK1/2 (1.26 ± 0.10 vs 1.14 ± 0.08, P<0.01; 1.26 ± 0.10 vs 1.18 ± 0.05, P<0.05) and vimentin (0.17 ± 0.01 vs 0.16 ± 0.01, P<0.01; 0.17 ± 0.01 vs 0.17 ± 0.09, P<0.05) and decreased rate of cell apoptosis (［42.20 ± 9.17］ vs ［21.60 ± 5.94］ %, P<0.01; ［42.20 ± 9.17］ vs ［33.95 ± 6.39］ %, P<0.05). The concentration of TGF-β1 in the semen was markedly lower in the high-dose QJT than in the AS model control group (［621.78 ± 30.80］ vs ［566.73 ± 68.44］ ng/ml, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSQiangjing Tablets could improve semen quality in asthenospermia rats by acting against oxidative stress.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Asthenozoospermia ; enzymology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Signal Transduction ; Spermatozoa ; Testis ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) fumigation on type ⅢA prostatitis with the symptoms of damp heat and blood stasis. METHODS: We randomly divided 72 cases of type ⅢA prostatitis with the symptoms of damp heat and blood stasis into an experimental and a control group of equal number, the former treated with TCM fumigation plus oral Levofloxacin while the latter with oral Levofloxacin only. After 4 weeks of treatment, we compared the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIHCPSI) score, TCM symptoms score, maxinum flow rate (Qmax), and average urinary flow rate (Qave) between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: The total effectiveness rate was significantly higher in the experimental than in the control group (91.7% vs 61.1%, P< 0.01), while the NIHCPSI score in the experimental group was markedly decreased after treatment as compared with the baseline (14.5 ± 8.2 vs 26.5 ± 9.3, P< 0.05) and significantly lower than that in the control (14.5 ± 8.2 vs 20.6 ± 7.9, P< 0.05). Qmax was remarkably increased in the experimental group after treatment in comparison with the baseline (［21.2 ± 4.3］ vs ［15.8 ± 3.6］ ml/s, P< 0.05) and the control group, and so was Qave as compared with pretreatment (［16.3 ± 3.5］ vs ［10.5 ± 2.8］ ml/s, P< 0.05) and the control. However, the patients of the control group showed no statistically significant differences before and after treatment either in Qmax (［15.4 ± 3.4］ vs ［16.1 ± 2.9］ ml/s, P>0.05) or in Qave (［10.9 ± 2.4］ vs ［11.1 ± 2.9］ ml/s, P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS TCM fumigation combined with Levofloxacin is an effective therapy for type ⅢA prostatitis with the symptoms of damp heat and blood stasis, which can significantly improve the symptoms, reduce the NIHCPSI score, and increase the Qmax and Qave of the patient.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Fumigation ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Levofloxacin ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Symptom Assessment ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Qiangjing Tablets (QJT) on the semen quality and Fas/FasL signaling pathway in male SD rats with infertility.

METHODSModels of infertility were made in 50 male SD rats by intragastric administration of Tripterygium (GTW) for 3 weeks, and another 20 rats were taken as blank controls. Then 40 successfully established rat models were randomly divided into four groups, model control, low-dose QJT, medium-dose QJT, and high-dose QJT, the latter three groups treated intragastrically with QJT at 58 mg, 105 mg, and 233 mg per kg of the body weight per day, respectively. After 4 weeks of medication, the rats were killed for examination of semen quality and determination of the expression of the apoptosis factor FasL in the testis tissue.

RESULTSCompared with the blank controls, the model rats showed significant decreases in sperm concentration ([71.99 ± 9.72] vs [10.94 ± 3.58] x 10⁶/ml, P < 0.01), motility ([48.95 ± 4.10] vs [9.31 ± 5.79]%, P < 0.01), and viability ( [82.06 ± 6.16] vs [24.03 ± 6.93]%, P < 0.01). In comparison with the model controls, the rats in the QJT groups exhibited remarkably increased sperm concentration, motility, and viability, more significantly in the high-dose group ([59.66 ± 4.53] x 10⁶/ml, [35.45 ± 5.21] %, and [61.97 ± 9.75]%) and medium-dose group ([40.89 ± 4.90] x 10⁶/ml, [24.41 ± 4.79]%, and [60.06 ± 10.62]%) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The expression of FasL was markedly reduced in the low-, medium-, and high-dose QJT groups (0.5215 ± 0.0189, 0.5371 ± 0.0364, and 0.4556 ± 0.0215) as compared with that of the model controls (0.5989 ± 0.0448 ) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBy upregulating the Fas/FasL signaling pathway, Tripterygium glycosides may induce the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and reduce sperm concentration, motility and viability, resulting in infertility. The Chinese medicine Qiangjing Tablets can improve the reproductive function of male rats by decreasing the expression of the apoptosis factor FasL in the testis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Germ Cells ; Glycosides ; Infertility, Male ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Semen ; drug effects ; Semen Analysis ; Signal Transduction ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Tablets ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tripterygium

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

OBJECTIVETo evaluate and analyze the mechanism of Pizhen for the treatment of patients with scapular muscle fasciitis.

METHODSOne hundred and sixteen patients were divided into two groups according to random number table method, 58 cases in the treatment group and 58 cases in the control group. After treatment, 109 patients were followed up, and 7 patients lost follow-up (2 cases in the treatment group and 5 patients in the control group). In the treatment group, there were 15 males and 41 females, with a mean age of (28.02 +/- 4.85) years; the course of disease ranged from 0.25 to 3 years; and the patients were treated by Pizhen once a week,and 2 weeks were one treatment course. In the control group, there were 19 males and 34 females, with a mean age of (27.23 +/- 4.54) years old; the course of disease ranged from 0.25 to 1 year; and the patients were treated by acupuncture massage instrument, 20 minutes at a time,once a day for 2 weeks. Soft tissue displacement and banana area were tested by a soft tissue tension tester, pressure value was measured by pressure measuring instrument, and VAS was recorded by pain visual analog scale record.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in tissue displacement, banana area, pressure value and VAS between two groups before and after treatment. The tissue displacement and pressure value in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group,while banana area and VAS were lower than those in the control group. In the treatment group, 30 patients healed, 13 patients got marked improvement, 12 good and 1 poor;while 16 patients healed, 19 patients got marked improvement,11 good and 7 poor in the control group. The therapeutic effects in the treatment group was better than that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONPizhen is an effective method to treat pain in patients with scapular muscle fasciitis by relaxing tendon of soft tissue around pain point of scapular and relaxing compress and stimulation of nerves.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Fasciitis ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Longbishu Capsule (, LBS), doxazosin, and combination therapy on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSA randomized, double-blind, multi-center parallel trial was conducted involving 360 patients in hospitals in Beijing (108 cases), Heilongjiang (90 cases), Sichuan (90 cases), Shanghai (72 cases), China. They were randomly assigned with central randomization method to group A (LBS placebo plus doxazosin), group B (LBS plus doxazosin) or group C (LBS plus doxazosin placebo), 120 cases for each group. The international prostate symptom score, maximum urinary flow rate, postvoid residual urine volume and prostate volume were measured for evaluating the efficacy of the three treatments.

RESULTSAt baseline, there was no significant difference in the measured variables among the three groups. After 12-month treatment, the three groups showed significant improvements in IPSS and maximum urinary flow rate from baseline (P<0.01). Although postvoid residual urine volume was not significantly different from the baseline in group A (P>0.05), it significantly decreased in group B and C (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse events were similar among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe treatment of LBS alone or LBS plus doxazosin was able to significantly improve IPSS in patients with BPH. The treatments may reduce the increase in prostate volume and postvoid residual urine volume as well.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Doxazosin ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Placebos ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate and analyze mechanism of Pizhen for the treatment of pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSEighty-five patients (85 knees) were divided into two groups according to random number table method. Among 35 patients in the experimental group, 6 patients were male and 29 patients were female, 1 patient lost follow-up, the average age was (56.65 +/- 4.89) years, and the patients were treated with Pizhen. Among 50 patients in the control group,there were 6 males and 44 females, the average age was (57.54 +/- 4.91) years, and the patients were treated with intra-articular injection with sodium hyaluronate. The VAS score and the data of algometer from the most obvious tenderness around the knee were used to evaluate the clinical effects.

RESULTSThere were significant differences of scores in the experimental group before and after treatment (P<0.01). There were significant differences of scores in the control group before and after treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, there were no statistical differences of VAS score and the data of algometer between experimental and control groups ( P>0.01). There was negative correlation between VAS score and the data of algometer.

CONCLUSIONThe Pizhen is an effective method to treat pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis by relaxing tendon of soft tissue around pain point of knee joint, and relaxing compress and stimulation of nerves.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Pain Measurement