ObjectiveTo observe the mechanism of Guihuang formula in regulating the activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome and inhibiting pyroptosis in the treatment of type Ⅲ prostatitis. Methods（1） In an animal experiment， 50 Sprague Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， and low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group， the type Ⅲ prostatitis rat model was prepared for the other four groups.After the modeling was successful， the blank group and the model group were given normal saline intragastrically， and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula were given intragastrically with Guihuang formula （4.9， 9.8， 19.6 g·kg^-1）. After 30 days of intragastrical administration， samples were taken for detection. Inflammatory cell infiltration in prostate tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Serum malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） levels were determined by biochemistry. NLRP3 expression in prostate tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry， and the expression of NLRP3， cysteine-aspartic acid protease-1 （Caspase-1）， and gasdermin D （GSDMD） in prostate tissue was measured by Western blot. （2） In a cell experiment， human normal prostate epithelial cells （RWPE-1 cells） were divided into a blank group， a model group， a Guihuang formula group， and an NLRP3 inhibitor group （MCC950 group）. Except for the blank group， the other three groups were stimulated by 100 μg·L^-1 lipopolysaccharide （LPS） for 4 h and 5 mol·L^-1 adenosine triphosphate （ATP） for 30 min to prepare the pyroptosis model. After successful modeling， blank serum was given to the blank group and the model group. 6.25 μg·mL^-1 Guihuang formula drug-containing serum was added to the Guihuang formula group， and MCC950 was added to the MCC950 group on the basis of the model group. Propidium iodide （PI） uptake and Caspase-1 expression were detected by flow cytometry， and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） level in the cell supernatant was measured by biochemistry. Interleukin （IL）-1β and IL-18 levels of the cell supernatant were determined by ELISA， and the expression of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD was detected in Western blot. Results（1） For the animal experiment， compared with the blank group， the model group showed significant infiltration of inflammatory cells in prostate tissue， while the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula showed reduced infiltration of acinar inflammatory cells， reduced degree of glandular epithelial degeneration and interstitial edema， and significantly reduced degree of damage. Compared with those in the blank group， the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum of the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula showed a significant decrease in serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels （P<0.01）. Compared with that in the blank group， the serum MDA level in the model group significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with that in the model group， the MDA level in the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the blank group， the levels of SOD and GSH-Px in the serum of the model group significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula showed a significantly increase in SOD （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula showed a significantly increase in GSH-Px （P<0.05）. Immunohistochemistry showed that compared with the blank group， the model group had high expression of NLRP3 molecule in prostate tissue. The expression of NLRP3 in the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula was significantly lower than that in the model group. Compared with those in the blank group， the expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD proteins in the prostate tissue of the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD proteins in the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula were significantly inhibited （P<0.01）. （2） For the cell experiment， compared with that in the blank group， the PI uptake rate of RWPE-1 cells in the model group significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with that in the model group， the PI uptake rate of the Guihuang formula group and the inhibitor group significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with that in the blank group， the expression of Caspase-1 in the model group was significantly higher （P<0.01）. Compared with that in the model group， the Caspase-1 in the Guihuang formula group and the inhibitor group significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the model group showed an increase in LDH release （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Guihuang formula group and the inhibitor group showed a significantly decrease in LDH release （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the blank group， the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant of the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Guihuang formula group and the inhibitor group showed a significantly decrease in the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the blank group， the expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD proteins significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the protein expression levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD were significantly reduced in the Guihuang formula group and inhibitor group （P<0.01）. ConclusionGuihuang formula can inhibit the activation of Caspase-1， prevent GSDMD cleavation and lysis， and inhibit cell pyrodeath in the treatment of type Ⅲ prostatitis by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Objective To observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription on Keap1Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in rats with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis(CNP);To explore its mechanism for the treatment of CNP.Methods CNP rat model was prepared using castration combined with estrogen induction method.Totally 48 SD rats were divided into blank group,model group,celecoxib group and Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription group according to the random number table method,with 12 rats in each group.In the celecoxib group,celecoxib suspension was instilled 0.035 g/kg,and in the Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription group,Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription water decoction was instilled 8.64 g/kg,and the blank group and the model group were instilled with equal volume of normal saline for 28 days.Mechanical pain threshold in rats was measured using Von Frey fiber optic pain gauge,HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in prostate tissue and pathological scoring,the content of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in prostate tissue were detected by chemical fluorescence method and the glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in prostate tissue were detected by colorimetric method,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Kelch like ECH related protein 1(Keap1),nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2),and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)protein in prostate tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,rats in the model group had significantly lower mechanical pain threshold and significantly decreased prostate index(P<0.01);the size of the glandular cavity in prostate tissue varied,with the disappearance of secretions in the cavity,interstitial looseness and edema,a large amount of fibrous tissue hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration,and a significant increase in pathological scores(P<0.01);the contents of ROS and MDA in prostate tissue significantly increased,the activity of GSH-Px significantly decreased(P<0.01),the expression of Keap1 and Nrf2 proteins significantly decreased,and the expression of HO-1 protein significantly increased(P<0.01,P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the mechanical pain threshold of the rats in the Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription group was significantly higher(P<0.01);there was mild damage to prostate tissue,with a small amount of fibrous hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration,and a significant decrease in pathological scores(P<0.01,P<0.05);the contents of ROS and MDA in prostate tissue significantly decreased,and the GSH-Px activity significantly increased(P<0.01),the Keap1 and Nrf2 protein expressions significantly increased and HO-1 protein expression significantly decreased in prostate tissue(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription can effectively improve the histopathological morphology and increase the pain threshold of the prostate gland in CNP rats,and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and reduction of oxidative stress damage in prostate tissue of rats.

Male lower urinary tract symptoms is a collective term for a group of symptoms associated with lower urinary tract disorders characterized by frequent urination, urgent urination, and difficulty of urination, of which the common causes are benign prostatic hyperplasia or overactive bladder. With the aging of the global population, the incidence of male lower urinary tract symptoms is increasing year by year. Based on the theoretical connotation of " zang-fu extraordinary connection", the relationship between the lungs and the bladder, the spleen and the small intestine, and the kidneys and the sanjiao with the formation of male lower urinary tract symptoms is explained from three perspectives. It is believed that lung qi depression and closure, disturbance of qi transformation in bladder, and insufficient spleen transport occur, the small intestine is dysfunctional, kidney yang is exhausted, and obstruction of the sanjiao waterway are the basic pathogenesis of male lower urinary tract symptoms. It is emphasized that the location of the disease should be identified. If it is related to the lungs and the bladder, then the disease should be treated by lifting the pot to lift the lid and diffusing the lung qi to benefit the bladder with Wuling Powder plus perilla leaf and bitter apricot seed; if it is related to the spleen and the small intestines, then the disease should be treated by raising the clear and directing the turbid downward and improving the spleen qi in order to support the small intestines with Shenling Baizhu Powder; if it is related to the kidneys and the sanjiao, then the disease should be treated by seeking the yang within the yin and warming and tonifying the kidney qi in order to dredge up the sanjiao with Bawei Shenqi Pill. According to the patient's condition, treatment can be combined with acupuncture, exercise, and other therapies. This paper can provide reference for clinical treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms.

Objective: Plant hormones act as chemical messengers in the regulation of plant development and metabolism. The production of ginsenosides in Panax hybrid is promoted by auxins that are transported and accumulated by PIN-FORMED (PIN) and PIN-LIKES (PILS) auxin transporters. However, genome-wide studies of PIN/PILS of ginseng are still scarce. In current study, identification and transcriptional profiling of PIN/PILS gene families, as well as their potential relationship with ginsenoside biosynthesis in Panax ginseng were investigated. Methods: PIN/PILS genes in P. ginseng was identified via in silico genome-wide analysis, followed by phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, and protein profiles investigation. Moreover, previously reported RNA-sequence data from various tissues and roots after infection were utilized for PIN/PILS genes expression pattern analysis. The Pearson's correlation analysis of specific PIN/PILS genes expression level and main ginsenoside contents were taken to reveal the potential relationship between auxin transports and ginsenoside biosynthesis in P. ginseng. Results: A genome-wide search of P. ginseng genome for homologous auxin transporter genes identified a total of 17 PIN and 11 PILS genes. Sequence alignment, putative motif organization, and sub-cellular localization indicated redundant and complementary biological functions of these PIN/PILS genes. Most PIN/PILS genes were differentially expressed in a tissue-specific manner, and showed significant correlations with ginsenoside content correspondingly. Eight auxin transporter genes, including both PIN and PILS subfamily members, were positively correlated with ginsenoside content (cor > 0.60; P-value <0.05). The expression levels of eleven auxin transporter genes were increased dramatically in the early stage (0–0.5 DPI) after Cylindrocarpon destructans infection, accompanied with various overall expression patterns, implying the dynamic auxin transport in response to biotic stress. Conclusion: Based on the results, we speculate that the accumulation or depletion in temporal or spatial manner of auxin by PIN/PILS transporters involved in the regulation of HMGR activity and subsequent ginsenoside biosynthesis.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of Gansu tablets combined with entecavir on patients with severe hepatitis B and the effect on patients’ immune function. Methods A total of 108 cases of severe hepatitis B patients who were treated in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2019 were randomly divided into two groups: entecavir group and combination treatment group, 54 cases each. Entecavir group was treated with entecavir, and combination treatment group was treated with Gansu tablets and entecavir. The levels of AST, GGT, alt, FIB, APTT, Pt, GSH Px, LPO and MDA in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. T-lymphocyte subsets were measured by cell analyzer. The therapeutic effect and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results The levels of AST, GGT and ALT in the combined treatment group were significantly lower than those in the entecavir group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the FIB level of patients in the combined treatment group was higher than that in the entecavir group, and the APTT and Pt levels were lower than those in the entecavir group (P<0.05). After treatment, the GSH PX level of the combined treatment group was higher than that of entecavir group, and the LPO and MDA levels were lower than that of entecavir group (P<0.05). After treatment, the level of CD8 + was lower than that of entecavir group, and the level of CD4 + and CD3 + was higher than that of entecavir group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the combined treatment group was higher than that of the entecavir group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the combined treatment group was slightly higher than that in the entecavir group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion The use of Gansu tablets combined with entecavir in the treatment of severe hepatitis B patients was able to improve liver function, improve coagulation function, reduce oxidative stress injury, and improve the immune function of patients, demonstrating a potential clinical application value.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the arterial blood lactic acid level after entering the intensive care unit (ICU) and the 28-day mortality of patients with septic shock.Methods:The clinical data of 303 patients with septic shock hospitalized in the department of critical medicine of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College from April 2015 to June 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the blood lactate (Lac) level, the patients were divided into <4 mmol/L group ( n=203), 4-10 mmol/L group ( n=69) and >10 mmol/L group ( n=31). The baseline characteristics of the patients were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent influencing factors of the 28-day mortality of patients with septic shock. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of the Lac level after entering the ICU for 28-day mortality, and Kaplan-Meier survival curve was performed according to the best cut-off value. Results:A total of 303 patients with septic shock were included, with 179 died in 28 days, and the total mortality was 59.08%. There were 203, 69, 31 patients in Lac<4 mmol/L, 4-10 mmol/L and >10 mmol/L group, respectively. There were significant differences in Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evalution Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2), abdominal infection, the proportion of vasoactive drugs use among the three groups ( P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the independent influencing factor of the 28-day mortality of septic shock were age, SOFA, use of mechanical ventilation, lactic acid (Lac). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for predicting 28-day mortality of patients with septic shock was 0.604 5 (95% CI: 0.540 8-0.668 2). When the optimal cut-off value was 3.55 mmol/L, the sensitivity was 0.508 4, the specificity was 0.733 9, the positive likelihood ratio was 1.910 3 and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.669 9. According to the best cut-off value of entrance Lac, patients were divided into high Lac group (≥3.55 mmol/L) and low Lac group (<3.55 mmol/L), and their 28-day mortality rates were 73.39%(91/124) and 49.16%(88/179). Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the 28-day cumulative survival rate of the high Lac group was significantly lower than that of the low Lac group ( P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, the 28 d mortality increased to 1.22 times for each increase of 1 mmol/L of Lac [odds ratio ( OR)=1.22, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.08-1.37, P=0.001 4]. The 28 d mortality in high Lac group was 3.53 times higher than that in low Lac group ( OR=3.53, 95% CI was 1.36-7.09, P=0.000 4). Conclusions:In patients with ICU septic shock, the arterial blood Lac level after admission was associated with 28-day mortality. Patients with septic shock whose arterial blood Lac level exceeded 3.55 mmol/L within 1 hour of entering the room had a significantly increased risk of death.

Background:: The mortality of cardiovascular disease is constantly rising, and novel biomarkers help us predict residual risk. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of serum homocysteine (HCY) levels on prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods:: The 419 consecutive patients with STEMI, treated at one medical center, from March 2010 to December 2015 were retrospectively investigated. Peripheral blood samples were obtained within 24 h of admission and HCY concentrations were measured using an enzymatic cycling assay. The patients were divided into high HCY level (H-HCY) and low HCY level (L-HCY) groups. Short- and long-term outcomes were compared, as were age-based subgroups (patients aged 60 years and younger vs. those older than 60 years). Statistical analyses were mainly conducted by Student t-test, Chi-squared test, logistic regression, and Cox proportional-hazards regression. Results:: The H-HCY group had more males (84.6% vs. 75.4%, P=0.018), and a lower prevalence of diabetes (20.2% vs. 35.5%, P < 0.001), compared with the L-HCY group. During hospitalization, there were seven mortalities in the L-HCY group and 10 in the H-HCY group (3.3% vs. 4.8%, P= 0.440). During the median follow-up period of 35.8 (26.9–46.1) months, 33 (16.2%) patients in the L-HCY group and 48 (24.2%) in the H-HCY group experienced major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (P=0.120). History of hypertension (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.881, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.178–3.005, P=0.008) and higher Killip class (HR: 1.923, 95% CI: 1.419–2.607, P < 0.001), but not HCY levels (HR: 1.007, 95% CI: 0.987–1.027, P=0.507), were significantly associated with long-term outcomes. However, the subgroup analysis indicated that in older patients, HCY levels were significantly associated with long-term outcomes (HR: 1.036, 95% CI: 1.011–1.062, P=0.005). Conclusion: Serum HCY levels did not independently predict in-hospital or long-term outcomes in patients with STEMI; however, among elderly patients with STEMI, this study revealed a risk profile for late outcomes that incorporated HCY level.

BACKGROUND: The mortality of cardiovascular disease is constantly rising, and novel biomarkers help us predict residual risk. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of serum homocysteine (HCY) levels on prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: The 419 consecutive patients with STEMI, treated at one medical center, from March 2010 to December 2015 were retrospectively investigated. Peripheral blood samples were obtained within 24 h of admission and HCY concentrations were measured using an enzymatic cycling assay. The patients were divided into high HCY level (H-HCY) and low HCY level (L-HCY) groups. Short- and long-term outcomes were compared, as were age-based subgroups (patients aged 60 years and younger vs. those older than 60 years). Statistical analyses were mainly conducted by Student t-test, Chi-squared test, logistic regression, and Cox proportional-hazards regression. RESULTS: The H-HCY group had more males (84.6% vs. 75.4%, P = 0.018), and a lower prevalence of diabetes (20.2% vs. 35.5%, P < 0.001), compared with the L-HCY group. During hospitalization, there were seven mortalities in the L-HCY group and 10 in the H-HCY group (3.3% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.440). During the median follow-up period of 35.8 (26.9-46.1) months, 33 (16.2%) patients in the L-HCY group and 48 (24.2%) in the H-HCY group experienced major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (P = 0.120). History of hypertension (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.881, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.178-3.005, P = 0.008) and higher Killip class (HR: 1.923, 95% CI: 1.419-2.607, P < 0.001), but not HCY levels (HR: 1.007, 95% CI: 0.987-1.027, P = 0.507), were significantly associated with long-term outcomes. However, the subgroup analysis indicated that in older patients, HCY levels were significantly associated with long-term outcomes (HR: 1.036, 95% CI: 1.011-1.062, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION Serum HCY levels did not independently predict in-hospital or long-term outcomes in patients with STEMI; however, among elderly patients with STEMI, this study revealed a risk profile for late outcomes that incorporated HCY level.
Aged ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Coronary Angiography ; Female ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Infarction ; blood ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction ; blood ; pathology

Objective To analyze the relevant risk factors for Chinese adult urinary lithiasis.Methods We searched the PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library databases,the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database,VIP Database,China Knowledge Network (CNKI) database,Wanfang database by computer.The search was set for all case-control studies on urinary lithiasis with Chinese patients.Two authors independently screened the literature,extracted literature data,and evaluated the quality of the literature.The software Revman 5.3 was used to perform meta-analysis in this study.Results A total of 25 studies in this study were case-control studies,with a total of 8 524 cases of urinary lithiasis and 42 239 cases of non-urinary lithiasis.A total of 9 risk factors of urinary lithiasis were screened:low intake of water [OR =2.64(95％CI 2.00-3.48),P ＜0.001],overweight [OR =2.36(95％ CI 1.31-4.23),P =0.004],tobacco consumption[OR =2.10(95％ CI 1.26-3.48),P =0.004],high salt diet [OR =1.88 (95％ CI 1.21-2.91),P =0.005],alcohol consumption [OR =1.85 (95％ CI 1.57-2.17),P ＜ 0.001],low vegetable consumption [OR =1.64 (95 ％ CI 1.05-2.54),P =0.03]、high protein diet [OR =1.49(95％ CI 1.23-1.82),P ＜0.001],low fruit consumption [OR =1.39(95％ CI 1.26-1.53),P ＜0.001] and tea consumption [OR=1.23(95％CI1.10-1.37),P＜0.001].Conclusions Lowintake of water,overweight,tobacco consumption,high salt diet,alcohol consumption,low vegetable consumption,high protein diet,low fruit consumption and tea consumption could be the risk factors for chinese adult urinary lithiasis.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health problem and people are generally susceptible to HCV.Main routes of transmission include blood transmission,sexual transmission,and mother-to-child transmission.Anti-HCV screening of blood products has substantially red uced the blood transmission of HCV.Remarkable breakthrough has been made in the treatment of hepatitis C with direct-acting antiviral agents and the trend of HCV transmission has been significantly curbed.Since HCV infection is occult,hepatitis C vaccine has not been successfully developed,and there lack effective blocking measures for mother-to-child transmission,which will become one of the major route of HCV transmission.Reducing the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HCV is very important in preventing neonatal HCV infection and reducing the incidence rate of HCV infection.In recent years,many researchers have concentrated on the detailed mechanisms and risk factors of mother-to-child transmission of HCV and made great achievements;however,there are still controversies over some issues.This article reviews the research advances in the specific mechanisms of mother-to-child transmission of HCV in China and other countries.