OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of laparoscopic high ligation of spermatic cord vein in patients with chronic prostatitis and varicocele prostatitis. METHODS: A total of 90 varicocele patients were selected from January 2016 to December 2020, including 33 patients with chronic prostatitis. Changes of white blood cell count, National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) score and serum testosterone level in the expressed prostate secretion (EPS) were observed before and after the operation of laparoscopic high ligation of spermatic vein. RESULTS: All patients were followed up three months after the surgery. There was no significant difference in the white blood cell counts in EPS, NIH-CPSI score, and serum testosterone level in patients with varicocele-only who underwent high ligation surgery after the operation. However, the white blood cell count in the EPS of patients with chronic prostatitis was lower than that before 3 months of operation ( ［12.39±4.23］×109/L vs ［21.36±5.05］×109/L). The NIH-CPSI score was significantly lower than that before operation ( ［12.71±6.21］ vs ［26.76±8.43］). And the serum testosterone level was higher than that before operation (［4.34±1.77］ng/ml vs ［2.36±1.05］ng/ml). CONCLUSION Laparoscopic high ligation of the spermatic vein in patients with chronic prostatitis and varicocele could effectively reduce the number of white blood cells in the EPS, boost the level of serum testosterone and improves symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
Male ; Humans ; Varicocele/surgery* ; Prostatitis/blood* ; Ligation ; Spermatic Cord/blood supply* ; Testosterone/blood* ; Chronic Disease ; Prostate/metabolism* ; Veins/surgery* ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Laparoscopy ; Adult

OBJECTIVEArsenic is a metalloid environmental carcinogen involved in the occurrence and development of many cancers. miRNA-21 plays a crucial role in arsenic-induced carcinogenesis. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which miRNA-21 influences arsenic-induced cancer.

METHODSWe used meta-analysis of published studies to determine how arsenic induces cancerous cells through miRNA-21.

RESULTSLow-dose arsenic exposure (⪕ 5 μmol/L) can increase miRNA-21 and phosphorylated signal transducter and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) expression, and decrease programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4) and protein sprouty homolog 1 (Spry1) expression. High-dose arsenic exposure (> 5 μmol/L), can increase miRNA-21 expression, and decrease Spry1 and E-cadherin expression. Short-term arsenic exposure (⪕ 24 h) can increase miRNA-21 and pSTAT3 expression, and decrease PDCD4 expression. Moreover, long-term arsenic exposure (> 24 h) can increase the miRNA-21, STAT3, and pSTAT3 expression, and decrease PDCD4 expression. We found that activation of miRNA-21 and pSTAT3 were most pronounced following long-term arsenic exposure at low doses, and the effects on PDCD4 expression were most pronounced following short-term arsenic exposure at low doses. miRNA-21 inhibitors increased the expression of tumor suppressor genes PDCD4, PTEN, and Spry1 and miRNA-21-mimics suppressed the expression of these tumor suppressor genes.

CONCLUSIONArsenic can cause cancer by activating miRNA-21 and inhibiting the expression of PDCD4, PTEN, and Spry1.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of aerobic exercise combined with chlorella pyrenoidos of disintegrated cell wall on the lipid metabolism in rats with high-fat diet. METHODS: Fifty-five male Wistar rats were subjected to adaptive feeding for 4 days and weight-free swimming training for 3 days, 20 min/d. After eliminating 5 rats that were not suitable for swimming training, the other rats were randomly divided into 5 groups according to their body weight:control group (C group), high fat diet group (H group), high-fat diet + chlorella group(HC group), high fat diet + aerobic exercise group (HM group), high fat diet + chlorella + aerobic exercise group (HMC group), 10 in each group. The HM and HMC group were subjected to 60 min/d swimming training for 6 weeks with non-weight-bearing. Group C were fed regular diet. The other groups were fed with high-fat diet, the rats in group HC and HMC were intragastrically treated with chlorella pyrenoidos of disintegrated cell wall at the dose of 3.9 g/(kg·d), the volume was 5 ml/kg, and the other groups are given equivalent saline. The Lee's index and biochemical indexes of blood and liver were measured after 6 weeks. RESULTS: Compared with group C, Lee's index, serum levels of free fatty acids(FFA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), liver FFA and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were increased significantly (<0.01), the serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) was decreased significantly (<0.01) in group H. Compared with group H, Lee's index, serum FFA, IL-6, TNF-α, TC, TG, LDL-c, liver FFA and IL-10 were decreased significantly (<0.05 or <0.01), serum level of HDL-c was increased significantly (<0.05 or <0.01) in group HC, HM and HMC. Compared with group HC and HM, Lee's index, serum FFA, IL-6, TNF-α, TC, TG, LDL-c, liver FFA and IL-10 were decreased significantly (<0.05), serum level of HDL-c was increased significantly (<0.05) in group HMC. CONCLUSIONS Aerobic exercise and chlorella pyrenoidos of disintegrated cell wall can improve lipid metabolism in rats with high-fat diet and reduce the lipid toxicity caused by obesity. Joint intervention is more effective than single intervention.
Animals ; Cell Wall ; Chlorella ; Diet, High-Fat ; Lipid Metabolism ; Male ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To explore the feasibility of low-concentration contrast agent and low-dose technology for pulmonary angiography by comparing the image quality and radiation doses to the patient by different tube voltages and concentrations of contrast agents.Methods Totally 60 patients suspected with pulmonary embolism were divided into C, L1 and L2 groups, of which,Group C had the scanning parameters of 120 kV and 350 mgI/ml,Group L1 had the parameters as 100 kV and 350 mgI/ml and Group L2 had the parameters of 100 kV and 270 mgI/ml.The three groups had the tube voltage as 500 mA, the contrast agent dose as 25 ml,physiological saline dose as 40 ml and flow rate as 4.5 ml/s.SPSS 19.0 software was used to compare and analyze the CT values of pulmonary artery segment,superior vena cava and ascending aorta,main pulmonary artery noises,the image quality as well as the radiation doses of volume scanning. Results The three groups had the main pulmonary aortas and their branches display clearly to meet clinical requirements.When compared with Group C,Group L1 had higher CT values of the main pulmonary aorta and its branches,higher image noise while lower radiation dose (P<0.01);Group L2 had equivalent CT values of the main pulmonary aorta and its branches (P>0.05),higher image noise while lower radiation dose (P<0.01).When compared with Group L1,Group L2 had lower CT values of the main pulmonary aorta and its branches (P<0.01),and equivalent image noise and radiation dose (P>0.05).Conclusion Low-concentration contrast agent and low-dose technology gains feasibility and advantages when used in 320-slice CT pulmonary angiography.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the ability and mechanism by which grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) relieves arsenic trioxide (As2O3)-induced renal inflammatory injury. Therefore, male Kunming mice were treated with As2O3 and/or GSPE by gavage for 5 weeks. Mice were then sacrificed and inflammatory cytokines of kidneys were examined by ELISA, whereas the expression levels of molecules involved in the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway were evaluated by both qRT-PCR and Western blot. Our results indicate that GSPE prevents As2O3-mediated renal inflammatory injury by inhibiting activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and inflammatory cytokine production, while promoting expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Animals ; Arsenic ; toxicity ; Grape Seed Extract ; therapeutic use ; Inflammation ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Proanthocyanidins ; therapeutic use

Ten compounds, including seven sesquiterpenes, two phenols and one phenylpropanoid, were isolated from the roots of Illicium majus by means of silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC. On analysis of MS and NMR spectroscopic data , their structures were established as cycloparviflorolide (1), cycloparvifloralone (2), tashironin (3), tashironin A (4), anislactone A(5), anislactone B (6), pseudomajucin (7), syringaldehyde (8), methyl-4-hydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxybenzoate (9), and (E)-3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxycinnamic alchol (10), respectively. Compounds 1-4 and 8-10 were first isolated from this plant. In the in vitro assays, at a concentration of 1.0 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1), compounds 5 and 6 were active against LPS induced NO production in microglia with a inhibition rate of 75.31% and 53.7%, respectively.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; Illicium ; chemistry ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

The central nervous system (CNS) plays a key regulatory role in glucose homeostasis. In particular, the brain is important in initiating and coordinating protective counterregulatory responses when blood glucose levels fall. This may due to the metabolic dependency of the CNS on glucose, and protection of food supply to the brain. In healthy subjects, blood glucose is normally maintained within a relatively narrow range. Hypoglycemia in diabetic patients can increase the risk of complications, such as heart disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The clinical research finds that the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a positive effect on the treatment of hypoglycemia. Here the authors reviewed the current understanding of sensing and counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia, and discuss combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine and the theory of iatrogenic hypoglycemia in diabetes treatment. Furthermore, the authors clarify the feasibility of treating hypoglycemia on the basis of TCM theory and CNS and have an insight on its clinical practice.
Brain ; metabolism ; Central Nervous System ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus ; metabolism ; therapy ; Hormones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; metabolism ; therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of FLAMIGEL (hydrogel dressing) on the repair of residual burn wound.

METHODSSixty burn patients with residual wounds hospitalized in 6 burn units from November 2011 to May 2012 were enrolled in the multi-center, randomized, and self-control clinical trial. Two residual wounds of each patient were divided into groups T (treated with FLAMIGEL) and C (treated with iodophor gauze) according to the random number table. On post treatment day (PTD) 7 and 14, wound healing rate was calculated, with the number of completely healed wound counted. The degree of pain patient felt during dressing change was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The mean numbers of wounds with score equal to zero, more than zero and less than or equal to 3, more than 3 and less than or equal to 6, more than 6 and less than or equal to 10 were recorded respectively. Wound secretion or exudate samples were collected for bacterial culture, and the side effect was observed. Data were processed with repeated measure analysis of variance, t test, chi-square test, and nonparametric rank sum test.

RESULTSWound healing rate of groups T, C on PTD 7 was respectively (67 ± 24)%, (45 ± 25)%, and it was respectively (92 ± 16)%, (72 ± 23)% on PTD 14. There was statistically significant difference in wound healing rate on PTD 7, 14 between group T and group C (F = 32.388, P < 0.01). Ten wounds in group T and four wounds in group C were healed completely on PTD 7, with no significant difference between them (χ(2) = 0, P > 0.05). Forty-two wounds in group T and seven wounds in group C healed completely on PTD 14, with statistically significant difference between them (χ(2) = 42.254, P < 0.01). Patients in group T felt mild pain during dressing change for 37 wounds, with VAS score higher than zero and lower than or equal to 3. Evident pain was observed in patients of group C during dressing change for 43 wounds, and it scored higher than 3 and less than or equal to 6 by VAS evaluation. There was statistically significant difference in mean number of wounds with different grade of VAS score between group T and group C (Z = -4.638, P < 0.01). Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli, Baumanii, and Staphylococcus epidermidis were all detected in both groups, but there was no statistical difference between group T and group C (χ(2) = 0.051, P > 0.05). No side effect was observed in either of the two groups during the whole trial.

CONCLUSIONSFLAMIGEL can accelerate the healing of residual burn wounds and obviously relieve painful sensation during dressing change.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bandages ; Burns ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogels ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of maternal exposure to nano-alumina during pregnancy on the neurodevelopment in offspring mice.

METHODSFemale ICR mice began to be exposed to nano-alumina 10 d before mating, and the nano-alumina exposure lasted till offspring mice were born. All the female mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: solvent control group (saline), nano-carbon group (11.76 mg/ml), micro-alumina group (50 mg/ml), 50 nm alumina group (50 mg/ml), and 13 nm alumina group (50 mg/ml). All the mice were treated by nasal drip (10 µl/time) 3 times daily till offspring mice were born. Physiological indices, reflex and sensory function test, endurance test, Morris water maze test, positioning and navigation test, and open field test were used to evaluate the neurodevelopment of newborn mice.

RESULTSOn day 28, the body weight of 13 nm alumina group (16.73±4.04 g) was significantly lower than that of solvent control group (20.45±2.50 g) (P<0.01); the 13 nm alumina group had significantly delayed time to ear opening compared with the solvent control group (4.91±0.78 d vs 4.45±0.50 d, P<0.01); compared with the solvent control group, the nano-carbon group, micro-alumina group, 50 nm alumina group, and 13 nm alumina group had significantly delayed time to eruption of teeth (10.05±0.23 d vs 10.32±0.48 d, 10.75±0.45 d, 10.32±0.47 d, and 10.79±0.49 d, P<0.05 or P<0.01). On days 4 and 7 after birth, compared with the solvent control group, other groups had significantly decreased proportions of mice which passed the cliff avoidance test (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). On days 12 and 14 after birth, compared with the solvent control group, the nano-carbon group, 50 nm alumina group, and 13 nm alumina group had significantly reduced pre-suspension time in the endurance test (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The Morris water maze and positioning and navigation tests showed that the 13 nm alumina group had a significantly increased 5 d incubation period compared with the solvent control group (P < 0.05); compared with the solvent control group, other groups had significantly reduced numbers of platform crossings (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The open field test showed that the nano-carbon group and 13 nm alumina group had reduced numbers of rearings compared with the solvent control group (P < 0.05); compared with the solvent control group, other groups had significantly reduced numbers of modifications (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMaternal exposure to nano-alumina (13 nm) during pregnancy has inhibitory effects on the physical development and early behavioral development in newborn mice and can also inhibit the learning and memory abilities and adaptability to new environment in offspring mice. The neurodevelopmental toxicity of nano-alumina to newborn mice increases as the particle sizes of nano-alumina decrease, which has been demonstrated by the endurance test and number of rearings.

Aluminum Oxide ; toxicity ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Behavior, Animal ; Body Weight ; Female ; Maternal Exposure ; Maze Learning ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Motor Activity ; Nanostructures ; toxicity ; Pregnancy

Foreign Bodies ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; urine ; Humans ; Iatrogenic Disease ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Urinary Bladder ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Urinary Retention ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; surgery ; urine