AIM To explore the effect of Heidihuang Pills on renal fibrosis in a rat model of chronic renal failure(CRF)and its mechanism.METHODS Wistar rats were randomly divided into the blank group for normal feeding and the model group for the establishment of CRF rat models by 5/6 nephrectomy.Subsequently,the successfully established rat models were randomly divided into the model group,the Heidihuang Pills group(10.43 g/kg),and the Heidihuang Pills+IGF-1R blocker(JB1)group for a regimen of 7-day subcutaneous injection of 18 μg/kg JB1 followed by gavage of 10.43 g/kg Heidihuang Pills.Eight weeks after the administration,the rats had their serum levels of Scr and BUN detected;their pathological changes of renal tissue observed by HE and Masson staining;their renal protein expressions of TGF-β,HIF-1α and α-SMA detected by immunohistochemistry;their renal protein expressions of IGF-1R and TGF-β detected by Western blot;and their renal mRNA expressions of IGF-1R and TGF-β detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the model group displayed increased serum levels of Scr and BUN(P＜0.05);increased,degree of renal fibrosis,and renal fibrosis area(P＜0.05);increased renal expressions of TGF-β,HIF-1α,α-SMA proteins and TGF-β mRNA(P＜0.05);and decreased expressions of IGF-1R mRNA and protein(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the Heidihuang Pills group displayed decreased serum Scr and BUN levels(P＜0.05);decreased inflammatory cells in renal interstitium and the fibrosis degree(P＜0.05);decreased renal expressions of TGF-β,HIF-1α,α-SMA proteins and TGF-β mRNA(P＜0.05);and increased expressions of IGF-1R mRNA and protein(P＜0.05).However,the administration of JB1 could weaken the improvement effect of Heidihuang Pills on renal fibrosis in CRF rats(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Heidihuang Pills can inhibit the renal fibrosis in CRF rats,and the inhibition process is related to up-regulated IGF-1 expression and promoted combination of IGF-1 and IGF-1R.

Objective:To investigate the effects of visualized precision electrophysiological diagnosis and transcutaneous low-frequency electrical stimulation(TES)on hypoxia-induced ED in high-altitude areas.Methods:This study included 152 ED pa-tients from high-altitude hypoxic areas treated by TES based on the parameters obtained from visualized precision electrophysiological diagnosis.We followed up the patients for 1 to 3 months and compared their ⅡEF-5 scores,nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity(NPTR)and infrared thermal metabolic technology(TMT)-based temperature of the whole body and diseased parts before and after treatment.Results:All the patients successfully completed 1 to 3 courses of TES.There were no statistically significant differences in the ⅡEF-5 scores(P＜0.05)and penile tip optimal erection rigidity and duration(P＜0.01)of the patients before and after treat-ment.TMT images indicated a temperature change of＞1.5 ℃ in the penis and bilateral inguinal regions after treatment,suggesting the effectiveness of electrical stimulation.No recurrence was observed during the follow-up.Conclusion:TES based on the parame-ters obtained from visualized precision electrophysiological diagnosis has a definite effect on hypoxia-induced ED by enhancing oxygen supply to the penile corpus cavernosum and improving its function and structure.

Objective: To investigate the quality of life and associated factors in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 25 provinces and cities in China was performed from June to September 2020. A questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic and clinical information of patients with CHD, while the European Five-dimensional Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D) was used to assess the quality of life. Multiple linear regression model was performed to analyze the associated factors. Results: The median age of the 1 075 responders was 60 (52, 67) years, and 797 (74.1%) were men. The EQ-5D and EQ-VAS indices were 0.7 (0.5, 0.8) and 60.0 (40.0, 80.0). Among the five dimensions in the quality of life scale, the frequency of anxiety/depression was the highest (59.8%), while problems in self-care was the lowest (35.8%). In the multiple linear regression model, female, increasing age, obesity, comorbidity(ies), anxiety/depression, social media channels, and receiving the CABG therapy were associated with the lower EQ-5D index (all P<0.05). In addition, increasing age, obesity, comorbidity (ies), depression, anxiety and depression, social media channels, and receiving the CABG therapy were associated with lower EQ-VAS index (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Over half of the patients with CHD in China have a low quality of life, which is related to gender, age, obesity, treatment pathway, the presence or absence of comorbidity (ies), and psychological state. In addition to managing the adverse effects of traditional socio-demographic factors on the quality of life, clinical practices should pay attention to the psychological state of patients. Moreover, establishing a WeChat group for doctor-patient communication could improve the quality of life of CHD patients.
Male ; Humans ; Female ; Quality of Life/psychology* ; Self Report ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Coronary Disease ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Obesity

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and its risk factors in very preterm infants (VPIs) during hospitalization in China. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was performed on the medical data of 2 514 VPIs who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 28 hospitals from 7 areas of China between September 2019 and December 2020. According to the presence or absence of EUGR based on the evaluation of body weight at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the VPIs were classified to two groups: EUGR group (n=1 189) and non-EUGR (n=1 325). The clinical features were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of EUGR and risk factors for EUGR were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of EUGR was 47.30% (1 189/2 514) evaluated by weight. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher weight growth velocity after regaining birth weight and higher cumulative calorie intake during the first week of hospitalization were protective factors against EUGR (P<0.05), while small-for-gestational-age birth, prolonged time to the initiation of total enteral feeding, prolonged cumulative fasting time, lower breast milk intake before starting human milk fortifiers, prolonged time to the initiation of full fortified feeding, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were risk factors for EUGR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS It is crucial to reduce the incidence of EUGR by achieving total enteral feeding as early as possible, strengthening breastfeeding, increasing calorie intake in the first week after birth, improving the velocity of weight gain, and preventing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VPIs.
Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gestational Age ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

As an effective antipyretic medicine,Indigo Naturalis has a long history of application in the field of Chinese medicine.The content of organics,mainly indigo and indirubin,is about 10%. However,the active ingredients and mechanism of its antipyretic effect have not yet been fully elucidated. In view of this,they were investigated in this study with the rectal temperature change as an indicator and 2,4-dinitrophenol-induced fever rats as subjects. The content of PGE2 and c AMP in the hypothalamus and the serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were determined by ELISA. Moreover,the plasma samples of fever rats were analyzed by metabonomics in combination with UPLC-Q-TOF-MS for the exploration of potential biomarkers and the discussion on the antipyretic mechanism of Indigo Naturalis and its active ingredients. The results showed that the rising trend of rectal temperature in rats was suppressed 0. 5 h after the treatment with Indigo Naturalis,organic matter,indigo or indirubin as compared with the rats of model group( P < 0. 05),among which Indigo Naturalis and organic matter had better antipyretic effect. ELISA results showed that organic matter and indigo can inhibit the expression of PGE2 and c AMP( P<0. 01),while Indigo Naturalis and organic matter were effective in curbing the increase in TNF-α( P<0. 05). A total of 21 endogenous metabolites were identified from the plasma samples of the Indigo Naturalis,organic matter,indigo and indirubin groups,which were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism.
2,4-Dinitrophenol ; Animals ; Antipyretics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Indigo Carmine ; Indigofera ; Rats

Anal Canal ; Endoscopy ; Hemorrhoids/therapy* ; Humans ; Ligation ; Sclerotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, affecting about 0.6% of the Chinese population. Many patients are not well controlled by conventional treatments, thus there is need for new treatment regimens. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of secukinumab in Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. METHODS: This study was a 52-week, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, Phase 3 trial. A sub-population of study participants (≥18 years) of Chinese ethnicity were randomized to receive subcutaneous injections of 300 or 150 mg secukinumab, or placebo. The co-primary endpoints were psoriasis area severity index (PASI) 75 and Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) 0/1 at Week 12. RESULTS: A total of 441 Chinese patients were enrolled in this study. Co-primary outcomes were achieved; 300 and 150 mg secukinumab were superior to placebo as shown in the proportion of patients that achieved PASI 75 (97.7% and 87.2% vs. 3.7%, respectively; P < 0.001), and IGA 0/1 (82.3% and 69.7% vs. 2.7%; P < 0.001) at Week 12. Treatment efficacy was maintained until Week 52. There was no increase in overall adverse events with secukinumab relative to placebo throughout the 52-week period. CONCLUSION: Secukinumab is highly effective and well tolerated in Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03066609; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT03066609.
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; China ; Double-Blind Method ; Humans ; Psoriasis/drug therapy* ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical significance of laparoscopic extraperitoneal para-aortic lmphadenectomy(PAL)in high para-aortic lymphadenectomy.METHODS: A non-randomized controlled method was used to analyze the clinical data of laparoscopic extraperitoneal PAL in 35 patients(extraperitoneal group)and laparoscopic transabdominal PAL in 40 patients(transabdominal group)in the Gynecological Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from March 2018 to April 2019.RESULTS: All the 35 cases of laparoscopic extraperitoneal PAL reached the level of renal vein.Endometrial cancer accounted for the largest proportion,with an average age of 47.57 years and an average body mass index of 23.77.The average operation time was 109 minutes in the first 6 cases and 74.73 minutes in the other 29 cases.The amount of hemorrhage was 15.19 mL,and the average number of para-aortic lymph nodes(PALN)resected was 17.87.There were 5 cases of positive PALN metastasis,and the average gastrointestinal recovery time was13.43 hours.The average postoperative pelvic drainage was 76.57 hours and the average postoperative hospital stay was8.24 days.Intraoperative and postoperative complications included 1 case of inferior vena cava rupture,1 case of chyle leakage,and 1 case of vulvar edema.None of the 40 cases of laparoscopic transabdominal PAL reached the level of renal vein,and endometrial cancer accounted for the largest proportion,with the average age of 46.78 years and the average body mass index of 24.03.The average operation time was 90.55 min;the average intraoperative blood loss was 67.40 mL The average number of para-aortic lymph nodes was 3.30.There was one case of PALN metastasis.The average gastrointestinal recovery time was 22.35 hours,and the average postoperative pelvic drainage time was 75.75 hours.The average length of hospital stay was 8.90 days.There were 2 cases of rupture of the inferior mesenteric artery,3 cases of chyle leakage,and 2 cases of vulvar edema.The number of PALN resection,intraoperative blood loss,and operation time in the extraperitoneal group were not related to the body mass index,but the number of PALN in obese patients in the laparoscopic transabdominal group was significantly reduced,the operation time was longer,the intraoperative blood loss was more,and postoperative gastrointestinal recovery time is longer(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic extraperitoneal PAL can solve the problems of laparoscopic transabdominal PAL lymph node resection,which is difficult to reach the level of renal vein,intraoperative intestinal tube interference,and the number of lymph nodes resected.It is especially suitable for obese patients.Laparoscopic extra-peritoneal high-grade PAL is safe,feasible,and recommended.

Objective To investigate the effect and its mechanism of targeted inhibition of the expression of chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4) gene by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the invasion and proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.Methods Forty-two nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue and its adjacent tissues in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2014 to December 2016 were collected.The expression of CXCR4 mRNA and protein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue and its adjacent tissues were detected by real time-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.The human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2Z were divided into blank control group,negative control group and CX-CR4 transfection group.The cells in blank control group were not given any treatment;the cells in negative control group were transfected nonsense siRNA sequence;the cells in CXCR4 transfection group were transfected CXCR4 targeting siRNA sequence.The protein expression of CXCR4,matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2),MMP-9,β-catenin,Cyclin D1 were detected by Western bloting after 48 h of transfection.The proliferation and invasion ability of the cells were detected by cell counting kit and Transwell chamber.Results The expression of CXCR4 mRNA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue and adjacent tissues was 5.526 ±0.143,0.953 ±0.091 respectively;the expression of CXCR4 protein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue and adjacent tissues was 0.522 ± 0.047,0.053 ± 0.011 respectively.The expression of CXCR4 mRNA and protein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues (P ＜ 0.05).The protein expression of CXCR4,MMP-2,MMP-9,β-catenin,Cyclin D1 in cells,cell survival rate and the number of cell invasion in CXCR4 transfection group were significantly lower than those in the blank control group and negative control group (P ＜ 0.05);however,there was no significant difference in above indexes between the blank control group and negative control group (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Inhibiting of CXCR4 gene expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells can significantly decrease the proliferation and invasion ability of cancer cells,and the mechanism may be related to down regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.