GAO Shu-zhong's clinical experience in "seeking yin from yang needling method" based on "qi street" and "four seas" theories / 中国针灸

The paper introduces professor GAO Shu-zhong's understanding on "seeking yin from yang needling method" and its clinical application on the basis of "qi street" and "four seas" theories. Through professor GAO's clinical practice for years, he integrates and extendes the theories of "seeking yin from yang", "qi street" and "four seas" in Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic). In this specific acupuncture method, in reference with the theories of "qi street" and "four seas", acupuncture is exerted on yang part of body, e.g. the back and lumber region to treat the diseases of yin parts, e.g. the chest and abdomen, which is differentiated as yin-yang imbalance in pathogenesis. In order to fully explain the clinical curative effect of "seeking yin from yang needling method", the common diseases in clinic, e.g. the disorders of heart, spleen and stomach systems, as well as the gynecology are taken as examples in the paper.

Preparation and physicochemical characterization of levofloxacin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Conventional formulation of levofloxacin is rapidly and completely metabolized after administration. Fortunately, nanoparticle provides a new way to solve this problem. OBJECTIVE:To prepare a levofloxacin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticle that can reduce administration frequency, maintain a stable and effective plasma concentration, and also can be combined with tissue-engineered scaffold materials. METHODS:Levofloxacin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation method. Twenty-four rabbits were taken to investigate the effect of nanoparticle formulation on the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin and randomized into three groups (n=8 per group): general formulation group received an injection of levofloxacin (20 mg/kg)via ear vein; non-loaded nanoparticle group received an injection of blank nanoparticles; and levofloxaxin-loaded nanoparticle group received an injection of the corresponding levofloxacin-loaded nanoparticles. At different times, blood samples were collected to analyze the drug concentration of levofloxaxin. The antimicrobial activity of the levofloxacin-loaded nanoparticle was evaluated based on the rabbit model of Escherichia coli-induced urinary tract infection. Forty-five New Zealand white rabbits were used to establish urinary tract infection models and randomly divided into three groups (n=15 per group). In negative control group, rabbits received only an injection of normal salinevia ear vein. In conventional formulation group, rabbits received an injection of levofloxacin (20 mg/kg). In nanoparticle group, rabbits received an injection of the corresponding levofloxacin nanoparticles. Subsequently, blood samples were obtained, and white blood cell (WBC) count and neutrophil percentage was tested; at the same time, the middle segment morning urine was collected to detect bacteriuria and urine WBC positive rates. At 9 days, the histopathologic analysis of the bladder mucosa was done. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In vivo the pharmacokinetics: Compared with the conventional formulation group, the ideal levofloxacin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles prepared under optimal conditions significantly reduced the fluctuations in plasma concentration and frequency of administration. (2) Antimicrobial activity:Escherichia coli-induced urinary tract infection was gradualy in control in the conventional formulation group and levofloxacin-loaded PLGA nanoparticle group, and basically cured at 9 days after injection. In addition, the number of cured patients was basically higher in the levofloxacin-loaded PLGA nanoparticle group than the conventional formulation group at the same time point, but there was a significant difference between the two groups only at 5 days after treatment. It can be concluded that levofloxacin-PLGA nanoparticles provide a well-sustained delivery system for treatment or prevention of urinary tract infections and provide a foundation for further investigations on tissue-engineered urethral reconstruction.

Reinforcing the continent mechanism of continent cutaneous diversions by wrapped rectus abdominis muscle flap: a preliminary experimental study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Continent cutaneous diversion (CCD) has been widely used in almost any lower urinary reconstruction. We have been continually trying to modify this procedure because of the high complications rate, especially as they relate to the efferent tube. In this study, we reported a modified procedure with a tapered ileum wrapped by the rectus abdominalis flap (RAMF) and assessed the feasibility of this new technique to achieve urinary continence.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A procedure in which two ileal segments were tapered and connected to a U-shaped reservoir was performed in ten dogs. A RAMF with its blood supply was wrapped around one of the tapered ileum. In control groups, the tapered ileum was brought to the abdominal skin. Urodynamic studies were conducted In the 1st, 3rd and 6th months post-operatively. The data of maximum inner pressure (MIP) and functional pressure length (FPL) in every group at each phase were recorded. Retrograde radiograms of the efferent limbs were performed before sacrifice.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MIP in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group at each phase (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences in MIP or FPL were found in the study group between an empty and full reservoir. In the control group, MIP increased (P < 0.05) and FPL decreased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with an empty and full reservoir. Retrograde radiograms confirmed that efferent limbs were positioned straigh beneath the abdominal wall. Histological examination of the study group demonstrated a layer of striated muscle around the outside surface of the ileum.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The continent mechanism of tapered ileum can be enhanced by extra support from wrapped RAMF.</p>

Etiopathogenesis and management of seminal vesicle enlargement / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the etiopathogenesis and management of seminal vesicle enlargement.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-six cases of seminal vesicle were selected, of which 36 were vesiculitis, treated by antibiotics through a catheter indwelt in the seminal vesicle for 1 week, 3 were cystic vesicular seminalis, given anti-inflammatory treatment by catheter administration and hydatid fluid inhalation, 1 was calculus at the orifice of the ejaculatory duct, taken out by transurethral resection of the verumontanum, 1 was polypous at the orifice of the verumontanum, removed by transurethral resection, 2 were posterior urethritis, treated by fulguration, and 3 were prostatic carcinoma, treated by radical prostatectomy and spermatocystotomy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hemospermia disappeared in 32 cases of vesiculitis during the 6-24 months follow-up, 4 cases experienced recurrent hemospermia 3 months after the treatment. No recurrence was observed in any other case of cystic vesicular seminalis, calculus, polypous, posterior urethritis and prostatic carcinoma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Seminal vesicle enlargement has intricate etiopathogenesis, but can be treated with satisfactory results if managed properly.</p>

Reconstructive surgery for male urethral stricture affects erectile function and sexual life quality / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the influence of reconstructive surgery for male urethral stricture on erectile function and sexual life quality.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We analyzed retrospectively the clinical data of 326 male patients who underwent urethroplasty for urethral stricture in our department and evaluated their erectile function and sexual life quality.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 172 groups of valid data were collected, with the mean follow-up of 28.5 months. The mean scores on IIEF-5 (P=0.002) and sexual life quality (P=0.026) were statistically significantly reduced after surgery. Erectile dysfunction was found in 88 (51.2%) of the patients after urethroplasty, as compared with 56 (32.6%) preoperatively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The location of urethral stricture, surgical method and urethral stricture recurrence may affect the erectile function and sexual life quality of the patient, but both can be gradually improved with the time after urethroplasty.</p>

The treatment of complex urethral stricture greater than 8 cm long / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the selection of different procedures and the feasibility for the treatment of long segment urethral stricture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-six patients with complex urethral stricture greater than 8 cm long underwent different procedures of urethroplasty. Of them various mucosa grafts urethral reconstruction were adopted in 42 cases (colonic mucosal graft, n = 26; buccal mucosal graft, n = 10; bladder mucosal graft, n = 6); One-stage pedicle flaps urethroplasty in 20; two-stage urethroplasty of Johanson procedure in 12; and penile urethra-prostatic urethra anastomosis, three-stage urethroplasty in 2.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In early followed up (within 6 months postoperatively), 67 patients (88%) voided well and complications developed in 10. Among the 70 patients who lasted more than 1 year after operation, 51 cases were followed up. Forty-four patients voided well, and complications developed in 8. Of the 8 cases urethral restructure developed in 2 (18%) for pedicle flaps urethroplasty, 2 for colonic mucosal urethroplasty (9%), 1 for buccal mucosal graft (1/7), 1 for bladder mucosal graft (1/3); penile chordee in 2 (2/5), and one of them was accompanied by hair bearing neourethra for two-stage urethroplasty of Johanson procedure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Colonic mucosal and buccal mucosal grafts urethroplasty are feasible procedures for the treatment of long segment urethral stricture, and Colonic mucosal graft urethroplasty may be considered when more conventional procedures fail or complicated urethral strictures greater than 10 cm long.</p>