Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases in elderly men, the incidence of which gradually increases with age and leads to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) are widely used for the treatment of BPH in China and some other countries. To explore the molecular mechanisms of CHMs for BPH, we conducted a review based on peer-reviewed English-language publications in PubMed and Web of Science databases from inception to December 31, 2023. This article primarily reviewed 32 papers on the use of CHMs and its active compounds in the treatment of BPH, covering animal and cell experiments, and identified relevant mechanisms of action. The results suggest that the mechanisms of action of CHMs in treating BPH may involve the regulation of sex hormones, downregulation of cell growth factors, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, inhibition of cell proliferation, and promotion of apoptosis. CHMs also exhibit α-blocker-like effects, with the potential to relax urethral smooth muscle and alleviate LUTS. Additionally, we also reviewed 4 clinical trials and meta-analyses of CHMs for the treatment of BPH patients, which provided initial evidence of the safety and effectiveness of CHMs treatment. CHMs treatment for BPH shows advantages as a multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway therapy, which can mitigate the severity of the disease, improve LUTS, and may become a reliable treatment option in the future.
Prostatic Hyperplasia/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Male ; Animals

Objective To observe early changes of left atrial strain and left atrial stiffness index(LASI)in rabbits with left ventricular myocardial injury induced by adriamycin(ADM).Methods Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group(n=12)and control group(n=6),while 2 mg/kg ADM was injected into rabbits in experimental group and 5 ml physiological saline was injected into rabbits in control group every week for a total of 4 weeks.Ultrasound examination was performed before injection of ADM/physiological saline,2 and 4 weeks after injection,respectively.Left atrial anteroposterior diameter(LAAPD),left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),lateral wall of mitral ring of early peak flow velocity(e),mitral valve orifice early peak flow velocity(E)/e,left ventricular global longitudinal strain(LVGLS),right ventricular collectivity long axis strain(RVCLS),left atrial strain during reservoir phase(LASr),left atrial strain during conduit phase(LAScd),left atrial strain during contraction phase(LASct)and LASI were obtained and analyzed.After ultrasound examination,myocardial changes were observed with pathological examination.Results Four weeks after injection,e in experimental group was significantly lower than that before injection,also lower than that 2 and 4 weeks after injection in control group(all P＜0.05).Significant differences of LASr,LAScd,LASct and LASI were found among different time points between groups(all P＜0.05).Two and 4 weeks after injection,the above 4 parameters in experimental group were all significantly different with those in control group(all P＜0.05).LASr,LASct and LASI were different among different time points,while LAScd before injection was higher than that 2 and 4 weeks after injection in experimental group(all P＜0.05).The pathological findings supported ultrasonic changes.Conclusion In early stage of ADM induced left ventricular myocardial injury in rabbits,changes of left atrial strain and LASI could be seen,which were more significant than those of LVGLS,RVCLS and LVEF,etc.

Objective To observe early changes of left atrial strain and left atrial stiffness index(LASI)in rabbits with left ventricular myocardial injury induced by adriamycin(ADM).Methods Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group(n=12)and control group(n=6),while 2 mg/kg ADM was injected into rabbits in experimental group and 5 ml physiological saline was injected into rabbits in control group every week for a total of 4 weeks.Ultrasound examination was performed before injection of ADM/physiological saline,2 and 4 weeks after injection,respectively.Left atrial anteroposterior diameter(LAAPD),left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),lateral wall of mitral ring of early peak flow velocity(e),mitral valve orifice early peak flow velocity(E)/e,left ventricular global longitudinal strain(LVGLS),right ventricular collectivity long axis strain(RVCLS),left atrial strain during reservoir phase(LASr),left atrial strain during conduit phase(LAScd),left atrial strain during contraction phase(LASct)and LASI were obtained and analyzed.After ultrasound examination,myocardial changes were observed with pathological examination.Results Four weeks after injection,e in experimental group was significantly lower than that before injection,also lower than that 2 and 4 weeks after injection in control group(all P＜0.05).Significant differences of LASr,LAScd,LASct and LASI were found among different time points between groups(all P＜0.05).Two and 4 weeks after injection,the above 4 parameters in experimental group were all significantly different with those in control group(all P＜0.05).LASr,LASct and LASI were different among different time points,while LAScd before injection was higher than that 2 and 4 weeks after injection in experimental group(all P＜0.05).The pathological findings supported ultrasonic changes.Conclusion In early stage of ADM induced left ventricular myocardial injury in rabbits,changes of left atrial strain and LASI could be seen,which were more significant than those of LVGLS,RVCLS and LVEF,etc.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of soluble B7-H3 (sB7-H3) in patients with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH). METHODS: The plasma samples of 85 newly diagnosed sHLH patients from December 2012 to April 2018 were collected. The patients were divided into lymphoma-related HLH（LHLH）group and infection-related HLH（IHLH）group. The expression of sB7-H3 in plasma was detected by ELISA, and the clinical data were collected for analysis. Fifteen healthy people were chosen as control group. RESULTS: The expression level of sB7-H3 in lymphoma-related HLH and infection-related HLH group significant increased as compared with the control group, (P＜0.05), and the expression level of sB7-H3 in lymphoma-related HLH group was significant higher than that in infection-related HLH group [(35.75± 9.90) vs (28.70±8.95) ng/ml)] (P＜0.001). There were no significant statistical difference in the expression of some clinical factors (including age, fever, splenomegaly, ANC, Plt, FIB, calcium ion, serum albumin, LDH, serum ferritin, sCD25) in lymphoma-related HLH and infection-related HLH group (P＞0.05). The evaluation of expression and significance of sB7-H3 in sHLH by using ROC curve, showed that the area under ROC curve comparison of patients in lymphoma-related HLH group and infection-related HLH group was 0.718 (95% CI 0.610-0.810) (P=0.0002), and predicting the sensitivity and specificity of the lymphoma-related HLH patients were 77.36% and 59.38%, respectively. The best cut-off value of patients in sB7-H3 was 29.81 ng/ml, the overall survival time of sB7-H3 high-expression group (≥29.81 ng/ml) was significant shorter than that in low-expression group (＜29.81 ng/ml) (24 vs 440 d) (P＜0.001). The clinical factors affecting the survival status of sHLH patients were neutrophils, albumin, serum ferritin, serum calcium ions and sB7-H3 levels. CONCLUSION sB7-H3 associates with poor prognosis of sHLH patients, and may be involved in disease progression.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; Lymphoma ; ROC Curve

Objective To discuss outcome and safety after implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS) protocols to patients who underwent robotic assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with intracorporeal orthotopic "U" shaped ileal neobladder creation using STAPLER technique.Methods Between October 2014 and April 2019,71 patients(59 males and 12 females)with MIBC (Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer) who underwent RARC with intracorporeal urinary diversion using orthotopic "U" shaped ileal neobladder in Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College) were studied retrospectively.They had an average age of (65.2 ± 5.6)y and BMI of (22.18 ± 3.75) kg/m2.The median age-adjusted charlson comorbidity index (aCCI) was 4,median ASA score was 2.All patients underwent these inspections pre-RARC:chest Xray,vascular ultrasound (jugular vein included),abdominal ultrasound,CT urography,cystoscopy with biopsy or TURBT(trans-urethral resection of a bladder tumour).All patients were pathological diagnosed with MIBC,with no evidence of systemic metastasis and no history of radiotherapy,systemic chemotherapy and open abdominal surgery before RARC.All 71 patients received RARC with intracorporeal orthotopic "U" shaped ileal neobladder creation using STAPLER technique.Between October 2014 and September 2016,37 cases (29 males and 8 females) were managed without ERAS protocols perioperatively.They had an average age of (65.3 ±5.7)y and BMI of (23.66 ± 3.47)kg/m2.The median aCCI was 4,median ASA score was 2.Between October 2016 and April 2019,another group of 34 cases (30 males and 4 females) were managed with ERAS protocols including nutritional assessment,thrombosis prevention,pain assessment and management,perioperative diet management etc.They had an average age of (64.5 ± 4.3) y and BMI of (21.87 ± 4.85) kg/m2.The median aCCI was 4,median ASA score was 2.There were no statistical significance between the two groups with regard to general information.Surgical and follow-up data were collected for all patients.Results Surgeries were successful in all 71 cases with postoperative follow up for 3-51 months.In ERAS group,there were 22 cases in pT2 and 12 cases pT3 according to classification of malignant tumours:with 2 cases of incidental prostate cancer (IPCa).In non-ERAS group,pT2 in 25 cases and pT3 in 12 cases:with 1 case of IPCa.Statistical significance were observed between groups with regard to the first anal exhaust time [(20.5 ± 18.7) h vs.(29.9 ± 17.4)h,P =0.032],the first defecation time [(72.6 ±27.1)h vs.(88.7 ±35.8)h,P =0.004],length of hospital stay after surgey [(14.1 ± 3.3) d vs.(16.2 ± 4.8) d,P =0.037],numeric rating scales (NRS) Pain Score 8.0,24.0,48.0 h after surgery [(3.2 ±0.5)vs.(3.6 ±0.8),P =0.015;(1.9 ±0.3) vs.(2.2 ± 0.6),P =0.011;(1.3 ± 0.4) vs.(1.6 ± 0.7),P =0.032],respectively.There were no significance between groups with regard to operating time [(290 ± 65) min vs.(282 ± 46) min,P =O.549],intraoperative blood loss [(190.5 ± 235.6) ml vs.(221.1 ± 250.3) ml,P =0.438],transfusion rate [5.9％ (2/34) vs.8.1％ (3/37),P =0.922],readmission within 30 days after surgery [2.9％ (1/34) vs.5.4％ (2/37),P =0.940],early severe complications(within 30 days) [2.9％ (1/34) vs.2.7％ (1/37),P =0.940],late severe complications (after 30 days) [5.9％ (2/34) vs.8.1％ (3/37),P =0.922].Conclusions The implementation of ERAS protocols to patients who underwent RARC with intracorporeal orthotopic "U" shaped ileal neobladder using STAPLER technique is safe and effective.It can reduce postoperative pain and hospital stay,shorten bowel recovery time,improve early functional recovery without increasing major complications.This adoption should be encouraged.

Objective: To explore the clinical effect and safety of minor liver resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) of Bismuth-Corlette type Ⅲ and Ⅳ. Methods: From May 2007 to May 2017, the clinical data of 108 patients with Bismuth-Corlette type Ⅲ and Ⅳ HC underwent hepatectomy were collected and analyzed retrospectively.There were 56 males and 52 females, aged (57.2±5.3) years (ranged 48-76 years) .Among the 108 cases, there were 51 cases of type Ⅲa, 40 cases of type Ⅲb and 17 cases of type Ⅳ. Small-scale hepatectomy (≤3 hepatectomy) was performed in 70 cases, including 8 cases of 4b segment resection, 28 cases of 4b segment+5 segment resection, and 34 cases of partial 4 segment+partial 7 segment+partial 1 segment resection. Large-scale hepatectomy was performed in 38 cases (>3 segments) , of which 30 cases were treated with 2 segments+3 segments+4 segments+1 segment, and 8 cases were treated with 5 segments+7 segments+8 segments+1 segment. t′ test was used to analyze the data which did not conform to the normal distribution, and χ² test was used to calculate the incidence of postoperative complications and the 1, 3, and 5-year cumulative overall survival rate. Results: (1) The operation time of minor liver resection group ((180±25)minutes) was shorter than that of major liver resection group ((210±35)minutes) (t′=4.676, P<0.05) , the amount of blooding operation time of minor liver resection group ((310±80)ml) was less than that of major liver resection group ((500±110)ml)in the operation (t′=9.385, P<0.05) , and the difference was statistically significant. (2) The incidence of complications was lower in minor liver resection group and major liver resection group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ²=5.230, P<0.05) . (3) The actual 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 87.1%, 58.4%, 30.0% and 84.2%, 57.9%,31.6%, respectively. There were no significant differences in survival rates in two groups in 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates (χ²=0.177, P=0.674; χ²=0.005, P=0.946; χ²=0.029, P=0.865) . Conclusions Compared to patients with major liver resection, Minor liver resection for selected patients with HC of Bismuth-Corlette Ⅲ and Ⅳaccording to our criteria achieved better long-term outcomes. Chen′s biliojejunostomy is a simple, effective and safe method, which can be widely used when there are multiple biliary intestinal anastomosese.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy of GEMOX regimen on patients with refractory non-hodgkin's lymphoma.

METHODSEighty-two cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were divided into 2 groups: gemcitabine+oxaliplation(Gem+Oxa) group (42 cases) and vinorelbine+oxaliplatin(Vin+Oxa) group (40 cases) according to chemotherapy regimens. The clinical efficacy, side effects, progression-free survival situation in 2 groups were compared.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference on the clinical effects of 2 groups (P>0.05); The therapeutic efficacy for B cell lymphoma was higher than that for T cell lymphoma(P<0.05); The therapeutic effects for I-II stages was lower than that for III-IV stages(P<0.05); The incidences of platelet decline, nausea and vomit, peripheral nerve symptoms in Gem+Oxa group were lower than those in Vin+Oxa group(P<0.05); There was no significant difference in the median progression free survival(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe efficacy of GEMOX regimen for refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been confirmed to be good, it has distinct clinical curative effect, it can prolong the progression-free survival time in patients with B cell lymphoma, specially for III-IV stages. It can be used as the preferred method for the treatment of patients with refractory NHL.

This study was aimed to observe the effects on glucolipid metabolism of aqueous extract of traditional South African herb Sutherlandia. Intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) combined with high fat feed method was used in the establishment of type 2 diabetes rat model. Then, rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, pioglitazone group, and the Sutherlandia group. Observation was made on changes of body weight, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), blood triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C). Western blot method was used to detect IRS-1 expression of skeletal muscle in rats of each group. The results showed that compared with the normal group, body weight in the model group was decreased, and indicators of OGTT, TG, TC, LDL-C were significantly increased (P< 0.05). Symptoms such as increased drink-ing, eating and urine were obvious; and the IRS-1 expression was obviously decreased (P< 0.05). After treatment, compared with the model group, there was no significant body weight increase in the Sutherlandia group or the pi-oglitazone group. Indicators of blood glucose, TG, TC in the Sutherlandia group and the pioglitazone group were ob-viously decreased with no statistical difference (P< 0.05 or P< 0.01). In the Sutherlandia group and the pioglitazone group, IRS-1 expression of skeletal muscle in rats was obviously increased with no statistical difference (P< 0.05). It was concluded that type 2 diabetes rats induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ combined with high fat feed method can induce glucolipid metabolism disorders. Traditional South African herb Sutherlandia can obviously reduce the blood sugar level, improve blood lipid metabolism, and improve the level of insulin. Sutherlandia can improve the IRS-1 expression of skeletal muscle in rats, relief the insulin resistance, and lower blood sugar. However, the effect of its exact ways required further in-depth study.