Varicocele is a common disease of the male reproductive system, and the pampiniform plexus in the spermatic cord manifests abnormal dilatation, extension, and circuity, which is a vasculopathy. In this article, we believe that the relevance of the essence chamber collaterals to the spermatic vein in terms of anatomical morphology and physiological function is high and that when pathogenic qi invades the essence chamber, the qi and collaterals of the essence chamber are out of harmony, the fluid collaterals are impassable, and the blood collaterals are obstrcuted, and the essence chamber collaterals are blockaded with several pathological products, and even intermingled phlegm and blood stasis in the blood collaterals and form vascular clusters, resulting in the formation and development of varicocele. Based on this, this article proposes the core treatment principle of healing, harmonizing, activating, and dredging the collaterals, with the basic treatment method of nourishing qi and harmonizing collaterals, activating blood collaterals, and dredging blood stasis to, respectively treat degree Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ varicocele, aiming to prevent the change of the varicocele, dredge the curvature of the varicocele, and dissipate the knots of the varicocele. The proposal of essence chamber collaterals is of great significance to understanding the common law and pathological aspects of the occurrence and development of essence collateral and vascular lesions from the perspective of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Based on the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED) from the meridian-zangfu relationship and the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis, it proposes that dysfunction of the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis is closely related to the occurrence of ED. Among these, brain-heart disharmony is the key pathogenic factor, kidney deficiency and essence depletion constitute an important basis, and essence chamber stasis is a critical mechanism. The treatment approach emphasizes harmonizing the brain and heart, regulating the mind, tonifying the kidney and replenishing qi, unblocking qi and blood to harmonize the essence chamber. The primary acupoints include Baihui (GV20)-Neiguan (PC6)-Shenmen (HT7), Taixi (KI3)-Guanyuan (CV4)-Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zhongji (CV3)-Dahe (KI12)-Gongsun (SP4), with additional acupoints selected based on syndrome differentiation. This approach aims to restore the clarity of the brain and heart, replenish kidney qi, and unblock the essence chamber, thereby facilitating the restoration of normal functions of the brain, heart, kidney, and essence chamber, and alleviating ED symptoms and improving overall clinical efficacy.
Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Erectile Dysfunction/physiopathology* ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Heart/physiopathology*

Male infertility,a common condition in andrology,falls under the category of"no son"in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Unhealthy eating habits and excessive sexual activity,prevalent due to improved living standards,have contributed to the increasing incidence of male infertility.YE Tianshi proposed the theory of"maintaining with the sweet and restoring the body fluids",which emphasizes the importance of ample body fluid for the nourishment of the male essence chamber.Sufficient body fluid is crucial for normal sperm generation.In TCM,the primary pathogenesis of male infertility involves the loss of body fluids and insufficiency of yin essence.Sweet Chinese herbal medicinal is recommended as it nourishes yin,enriches essence,and replenishes male reproductive essence without producing phlegm and dampness.Therefore,when treating male infertility,attention should be given to the use of sweet Chinese herbal medicinal,adhering to the principle of"abundant body fluids nourish kidney yin,and abundant kidney yin supports semen production".Therapies such as purging fire to preserve body fluids with Zengye Decoction,nourishing yin to enrich essence with Guilu Erxian Decoction,benefiting qi to promote fluid production with Buzhong Yiqi Decoction,and warming yang and transporting fluids with Xianfu Shezi Decoction should be considered.Medication and dosage adjustments should be made based on the specific etiology,pathology,and related symptoms to improve the quality of male sperm and enhance the chances of conception.

Objective:To prepare liquid-gas phase modified nanoparticles (TMZ/PFP/PLGA NPs) of perfluoropentane (PFP) and temozolomide (TMZ) encapsulated by polylactic-glycolic acid copolymer (PLGA), combined with low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) irradiation, and to investigate its ultrasound imaging ability and intervention effect on human glioma cells in vitro.Methods:TMZ/PFP/PLGA NPs were prepared by compound emulsion method. The basic physical and chemical properties and drug loading ability of TMZ/PFP/PLGA NPs were detected. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of nanoparticles in vitro and the effect of synergistic intervention with LIFU on the survival rate of glioma cells. The expression levels of apoptosis related proteins Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 were detected by Western blot.Results:Under transmission electron microscope, TMZ/PFP/PLGA NPs showed a circular core-shell structure with regular morphology, particle size was (137.9±63.31)nm, encapsulation efficiency of TMZ was (83.01±5.57)%, drug loading was (3.19±0.22)%. The survival rate of U251 cells was still above 70% after 24 hours of co-incubation with nanoparticles. Under the synergistic effect of LIFU irradiation, the apoptosis of U251 cells was accelerated and the survival rate of U251 cells was significantly decreased. The results of Western blot showed that the synergic intervention could significantly down-regulate the expression of apoptosis related protein Bcl-2, and significantly up-regulate the expression of Bax protein and caspase-3 protein (all P<0.05). Conclusions:TMZ/PFP/PLGA NPs have good basic physical and chemical properties. TMZ/PFP/PLGA NPs have low cytotoxicity in vitro while efficiently loading chemotherapeutic drug timozolomide. Synergistic intervention under LIFU irradiation can significantly accelerate the apoptosis of U251 glioma cells, which has a good application prospect.

Purpose: This study systematically evaluated the implications of advanced age on postsurgical outcomes following gastrectomy for gastric cancer using a national database. Materials and Methods: The 2011–2017 National Inpatient Sample was used to isolate patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer. From this, the population was stratified into those belonging to the younger age cohort (18–59 years), sexagenarians, septuagenarians, and octogenarians. The younger cohort and each advanced age category were compared in terms of the following endpoints: mortality following surgery, length of hospital stay, charges, and surgical complications. Results: This study included a total of 5,213 patients: 1,366 sexagenarians, 1,490 septuagenarians, 743 octogenarians, and 1,614 under 60 years of age. Between the younger cohort and sexagenarians, there was no difference in mortality (2.27 vs. 1.67%; P=0.30; odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81–2.30), length of stay (11.0 vs. 11.1 days; P=0.86), or charges ($123,557 vs. $124,425; P=0.79). Compared to the younger cohort, septuagenarians had higher rates of in-hospital mortality (4.30% vs. 1.67%; P<0.01; OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.67–4.16), length of stay (12.1 vs. 11.1 days; P<0.01), and charges ($139,200 vs. $124,425; P<0.01). In the multivariate analysis, septuagenarians had higher mortality (P=0.01; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.01; 95% CI, 1.18–3.43). Similarly, compared to the younger cohort, octogenarians had a higher rate of mortality (7.67% vs. 1.67%; P<0.001; OR, 4.88; 95% CI, 3.06–7.79), length of stay (12.3 vs. 11.1 days; P<0.01), and charges ($131,330 vs. $124,425; P<0.01). In the multivariate analysis, octogenarians had higher mortality (P<0.001; aOR, 4.03; 95% CI, 2.28–7.11). Conclusions Advanced age (>70 years) is an independent risk factor for postoperative death in patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy.

【Objective】 To investigate the effects of echinacoside （ECH） on mitochondrial biosynthesis and cardiomyocytes’ apoptosis in heart failure （HF） and to explore its related mechanisms. 【Methods】 The experimental animals were divided into three groups： the rat model of HF （HF） was induced by intraperitoneal injection of ISO， and pre-treated with ECH by intraperitoneal injection （ECH） and nomal control （ctrl group）. Cardiac function was detected by echocardiography after 2 weeks of treatment. The ultrastructure of myocardium was observed by transmission electron microscopy and the mitochondrial density and vacuolation rate were analyzed. The expressions of apoptosis-associated proteins were evaluated by Western blotting， and genes related to mitochondrial biosynthesis were examined by Real-time PCR. 【Results】 ECH increased 1eft ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and 1eft ventricular fraction shortening （LVFS）， but decreased 1eft ventricular end-systolic diameter （LVEDs） and 1eft ventrieular end-diastolic diameter （LVEDd） when compared to HF group （P<0.01） and improved cardiac function. The myocardial ultrastructure was significantly improved by ECH， the density of regular shapes of mitochondria was increased， and the percentage of vacuolated rate was reduced by ECH （P<0.01）. The expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was upregulated and that of pro-apoptotic protein Bax was downregulated in ECH group. The mRNA of mitochondrial biosynthesis related genes PGC-1， NFR-1， NFR-2 and TFAM was significantly upregulated in ECH group. 【Conclusion】 ECH promotes mitochondrial biosynthesis and inhibits cardiomyocytes’ apoptosis by up-regulating PGC-1/NFR signaling pathway， thus improving cardiac function.

Objective    To explore the early clinical outcomes of patients with acute type A aortic dissection and intramural hematoma. Methods    The clinical data of 61 patients with acute type A aortic dissection or intramural hematoma in our hospital from January 23, 2020 to March 10, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 43 males and 18 females, aged 22-81 (52.1±13.0) years. The patient's time of visit, clinical characteristics and early survival were analyzed. Kaplan-Mier survival curve and log-rank test were used for the survival analysis. Results    There were 48 (78.7%) patients diagnosed with acute type A aortic dissection and 13 (21.3%) patients with intramural hematoma; 34 patients received operation and 11 were emergent. The 30-day mortality was 2.9% among the patients receiving operation. There were 48 patients alive and 13 patients dead during the study period. The cumulative survival rates for all the patients on postoperative 1 day, 3 days and 7 days were 93.4%, 86.4% and 77.5%, respectively. The cumulative survival rates for the patients with dissection on postoperative 1 day, 3 days and 7 days were 95.7%, 88.7% and 79.4%, respectively. The cumulative survival rates for the patients with hematoma on postoperative 1 day, 3 days and 7 days were 92.3%, 84.6% and 84.6%, respectively. The difference of survival rates between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The cumulative survival rate of all the patients on postoperative 14 days was 74.5%. No statistically significant difference in survival rate on postoperative 14 days was found between patients with intramural hematoma and patients with aortic dissection (P>0.05). The proportions of the patients with unstable hemodynamics were found statistically significant between the survival patients and the dead patients (P<0.05). Conclusion    Patients with acute aortic dissection and intramural hematoma who survive to the hospital still have the risk of death under active drug therapy, and rupture of the dissection is the leading cause of death in these patients, especially for those with hemodynamic unstability.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of precise hepatic segmentectomy or subsegmentectomy using intraoperative image-guided interventional intravascular segmental vessel balloon catheter occlusion of the segmental hepatic artery and portal vein.Methods 6 patients with liver resection carried out from 2011.3-2011.8 were retrospectively analyzed.Results The mean operating time was (270.83±21.31) min,the median of blood loss was 800 ml,the median of intraoperative transfusion volume was 450 ml.The tumors were mainly located in segments Ⅴ,Ⅵ,Ⅶ,Ⅷ.The mean diameter of tumor was (5.67±1.03) cm.Postoperative liver function in the first postoperative day showed the mean alanine aminotranferase (ALT) was (570.00±157.76) U/L,the mean aspirate aminotrarsferase (AST) was (410.00 ±189.94) U/L,and the mean total bilirubin (TBIL) was (10.83± 1.60) mmol/L.Liver function recovered to normal within 7 days.There was intestinal leakage and wound dehiscence in one patient,pleural and effusion in two patients.Conclusion Imageguided interventional intravascular segmental vessel balloon catheter occlusion was a safe and efficacious maneuver.This technique allowed hepatic segmentectomy or subsegmentectomy to be carried out,decreased intraoperative bleeding,and protected the function of the liver remnant.