AIM: To help clarifying the possibility of connective-tissue diseases in men with penile or testicular prostheses. METHODS: Eight patients underwent inflatable penile prostheses and 15, testicular prostheses consented...AIM: To help clarifying the possibility of connective-tissue diseases in men with penile or testicular prostheses. METHODS: Eight patients underwent inflatable penile prostheses and 15, testicular prostheses consented to the study. Their medical records were reviewed and a follow-up interview and physical and serological examinations were performed. RESULTS: In patients with penile prostheses, there was no abnormal antinuclear antibody (ANA) or IgM elevation. The serum levels of the rheumatoid factor (RF), C4, IgA and IgG were abnormal in one patient, and the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C3, abnormal in two. Four had elevated IgE. In patients with testicular prostheses, there was no abnormal RF, ANA or IgM. The serum levels of ESR and IgA were abnormal in two, and three had abnormal C4, ten abnormal C3, and eleven decreased IgG. All had increased IgE. Men with penile prostheses had higher serum levels of IgG and IgM than those with testicular prostheses (P=0.001, P=0.016, respectively). The rates of abnormal values of IgE and IgG were higher in men with testicular prostheses than in men with penile prostheses (P=0.008, P=0.009, respectively). Physical examination was normal in all patients and nobody had documented symptoms pertinent to connective-tissue diseases. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the risk of connective-tissue diseases is not higher in patients wearing prostheses as the ANA is negative and there is no apparent manifestation suggestive of connective-tissue diseases.展开更多
<b>Background: </b>Many inflammatory cells, cytokines, acute phase reactants as well as platelets are recruited in the battle against the invading mycobacterium. As a result, alterations in the hematologic...<b>Background: </b>Many inflammatory cells, cytokines, acute phase reactants as well as platelets are recruited in the battle against the invading mycobacterium. As a result, alterations in the hematologic profile of infected patients are anticipated.<b> Objectives: </b>The primary objective was to investigate the various hematologic characteristics of patients with active tuberculosis. The secondary objective was to study the correlation between such hematologic characteristics and the type of tuberculosis including pulmonary, extra-pulmonary, and disseminated. <b>Methods: </b>This was a retrospective, descriptive study investigating the hematological findings in adult patients (aged 18 years or older) with active, bacteriologically-confirmed tuberculosis infection. <b>Results: </b>Among the 605 confirmed active tuberculosis cases, 465 (78.8%) were pulmonary, 104 (17.6%) extra-pulmonary, and 21 (3.6%) disseminated type. The mean age at diagnosis was 33.4 ± 11.4 years and males constituted 80.2% of cases. Peripheral leukocytosis was observed in 177 (30.1%) and leukopenia in 7 (1.2%) (Pulmonary type of tuberculosis was significantly associated with leukocytosis (P = 0.000)). Neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, monocytosis, eosinophilia, and basophilia were observed in 15.3%, 3.1%, 10.4%, 6.3% and 4.7% respectively. Thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis were observed in 3.9% and 26.7% respectively. Anemia was observed in 44.8% of all cases with 4.4% had severe anemia and 60.3% had anemia of chronic diseases. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was high in 77.2% of cases and ≥100 mm/hr in 5%. C-reactive protein was high in 93.4% and it exceeded 40 mg/L in 69.3%. <b>Conclusion: </b>There is a wide range of variability in the leukocyte and differential leukocyte abnormalities observed in patients with active tuberculosis. Leukocytosis can be seen in one-third of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Anemia of chronic diseases is the most common type of anemia observed in tuberculosis patients. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein are elevated in the majority of patients with active tuberculosis. Levels of the sedimentation rate can be useful indices to determine the extent of the disease.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Sanhuangyilong decoction plus methotrexate(MTX) on Interferon gamma(IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) in the serum and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) p...OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Sanhuangyilong decoction plus methotrexate(MTX) on Interferon gamma(IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) in the serum and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) patients with damp-heat-obstruction symptom pattern, Sanhuangyilong decoction and the role of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the development of RA.METHODS: RA inpatients with damp-heat-obstruction symptom pattern(partly with knee joint effusion) were selected as the research subjects. Before the treatment, healthy subjects and osteoarthritis(OA) patients with knee joint effusion were assigned to the serum control group and the synovial fluid control group, respectively; during the treatment, RA patients with damp-heat-obstruction symptom pattern were divided into two groups:one is combined group that was administered Sanhuangyilong decoction plus MTX; the other group was MTX group that received MTX only. The expression levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the serum and synovial fluid were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) before and after the treatment, and the peripheral blood levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP) and disease activity score in 28 joints(DAS28)were determined.RESULTS: Before treatment, the serum levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the RA patients with dampheat-obstruction symptom pattern were higher than those in healthy control group(P < 0.05).The expression levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the synovial fluid of the RA patients were higher than those in the serum of the RA patients(P < 0.05). The expression levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the synovial fluid of the RA patients were higher than those of the sy-novial fluid of the osteoarthritis patients(P < 0.05).The expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the serum and synovial fluid of the RA patients had no correlation with the inflammatory activity index ESR, CRP,or DAS28(P > 0.05). After 2 weeks of treatment, the expression level of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the combined group had increased, although the difference was not statistically significant(P > 0.05); in contrast, ESR, CRP, and DAS28 decreased, and the difference was statistically significant(P < 0.01). After 4 weeks of therapy, TNF-alpha and IFN-γ, ESR,CRP, and DAS28 in the combined group decreased compared with the before-treatment levels(P <0.01). After 2 w of treatment, the differences in the TNF-α and IFN-γ expression levels in the combined group were not statistically significant(P > 0.05)compared with that in the MTX group, although there were statistically significant differences in the ESR, CRP, and DAS28(P < 0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, differences in TNF-α, IFN-γ, ESR, CRP, and DAS28 in the combined group compared with MTX group were statistically significant(P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: TNF-α and IFN-γ might be involved in the development of RA. The RA patients with damp-heat-obstruction symptom pattern show better benefits from the treatment of Sanhuangyilong decoction plus MTX, and the treatment is superior to that of using MTX only.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Rebixiao(RBX)Chinese herbal tablets(CHT)and Chinese formula granules(CFG)in the treatment of acute gout arthritis(AGA).METHODS:This randomized,multicenter,doub...OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Rebixiao(RBX)Chinese herbal tablets(CHT)and Chinese formula granules(CFG)in the treatment of acute gout arthritis(AGA).METHODS:This randomized,multicenter,double-blind,controlled trial included 165 AGA patients with the damp-heat symptom pattern who were randomly divided into an RBX CHT group and an RBX CFG group and treated for 7 d at three centers.The total effective rates of the joint symptom score,Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)symptoms score,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and C-reactive protein(CRP)were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy.Safety assessments were also performed.RESULTS:Of the 165 enrolled patients,147 completed the clinical observation.There was no difference in baseline between the two groups.The total effective rates of the joint symptom score were 94.36%and 97.36%,and the total effective rates of the TCM symptoms score were 95.77%and 97.36%in the CFG group and CHT group,respectively.No statistical difference was found between the two groups(P>0.05).Additionally,ESR and CRP were similar in both groups(P>0.05).Furthermore,treatment efficacy regarding TCM and joint symptoms,the ESR,and CRP were consistent within each center and among the different centers(P>0.05).In addition,the incidence of adverse events was 4.22%and 2.63%in the CFG group and CHT group,respectively,and no difference was observed between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:RBX CFG and CHT have significant and similar efficacy in the treatment of AGA,and CFG did not increase adverse side effects.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of methotrexate(MTX) combined with Sanhuang Yilong decoction(SYD) on aquaporin(AQP) expression,and to explore the role of AQPs in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis(RA).METHODS:A to...OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of methotrexate(MTX) combined with Sanhuang Yilong decoction(SYD) on aquaporin(AQP) expression,and to explore the role of AQPs in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis(RA).METHODS:A total of 118 dampness-heat blockage type RA patients who were hospitalized in the General Chengdu Military Hospital between January2014 and December 2016 were selected as subjects in this study(30 patient of these patients with knee joint effusion were assigned to the RA synovial fluid group).For the pre-treatment controlgroups,30 healthy volunteers were recruited as the healthy control group and 30 osteoarthritis(OA) patients with knee joint effusion were included as OA synovial fluid control group.The RA dampnessheat blockage syndrome treatment groups were divided into 45 cases in the combined group and 45 cases in the MTX group.The combined group received MTX combined with SYD treatment while the MTX group received MTX alone.AQP1,AQP2 and AQP3 expressions were detected in the serum and synovial fluid.RESULTS:AQP1 had the highest expression,followed by AQP3,and AQP2.The serum levels of AQP1,AQP2 and AQP3 were all significantly lower than those in the healthy volunteers(P < 0.05),while the synovial fluid AQP1,AQP2 and AQP3 expression in the RA group were comparable to these in the OA groups(P > 0.05).After treatment for2 weeks,serum AQP1,AQP2,AQP3 were significantly increased and erythrocyte sedimentation rate,C-reactive protein,disease activity score of 28 joints were decreased in the combined group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Abnormal expression of AQPs inhibits water metabolism in RA dampness-heat blockage syndrome,so liquid is accumulated at the joint,which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA.MTX combined with SYD for the treatment of RA can effectively increase AQP expression.展开更多
Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture plus spinal manipulations on the physical functioning and levels of alkaline phosphatase(ALP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP)and osteoprotege...Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture plus spinal manipulations on the physical functioning and levels of alkaline phosphatase(ALP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP)and osteoprotegerin(OPG)in patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS).Methods A total of 128 AS cases were allocated into a control group and an observation group using random number table method,with 64 cases in each group.Patients in both groups took sulfasalazine and meloxicam.Patients in the observation group received additional acupuncture plus spinal manipulations.The efficacy,Bath AS functional index(BASFI),Bath AS disease activity index(BASDAI),and the levels of ALP,ESR,CRP and OPG were compared between the two groups after eight weeks of treatment.Results After treatment,the symptom scores of traditional Chinese medicine in both groups were decreased(all P<0.05),and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group(all P<0.05);the VAS,BASFI and BASDAI scores in both groups were decreased(all P<0.05),and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group(all P<0.05);and the ALP,ESR,CRP and OPG levels in both groups were decreased(all P<0.05),and these levels in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group(all P<0.05).The total efficacy rate was 92.2%in the observation group,versus 78.1%in the control group,presenting a statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion Conventional medication combined with acupuncture and spinal manipulations can improve clinical symptoms,accelerate the recovery of physical functioning,and reduce the ALP,ESR,CRP and OPG levels.展开更多
文摘AIM: To help clarifying the possibility of connective-tissue diseases in men with penile or testicular prostheses. METHODS: Eight patients underwent inflatable penile prostheses and 15, testicular prostheses consented to the study. Their medical records were reviewed and a follow-up interview and physical and serological examinations were performed. RESULTS: In patients with penile prostheses, there was no abnormal antinuclear antibody (ANA) or IgM elevation. The serum levels of the rheumatoid factor (RF), C4, IgA and IgG were abnormal in one patient, and the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C3, abnormal in two. Four had elevated IgE. In patients with testicular prostheses, there was no abnormal RF, ANA or IgM. The serum levels of ESR and IgA were abnormal in two, and three had abnormal C4, ten abnormal C3, and eleven decreased IgG. All had increased IgE. Men with penile prostheses had higher serum levels of IgG and IgM than those with testicular prostheses (P=0.001, P=0.016, respectively). The rates of abnormal values of IgE and IgG were higher in men with testicular prostheses than in men with penile prostheses (P=0.008, P=0.009, respectively). Physical examination was normal in all patients and nobody had documented symptoms pertinent to connective-tissue diseases. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the risk of connective-tissue diseases is not higher in patients wearing prostheses as the ANA is negative and there is no apparent manifestation suggestive of connective-tissue diseases.
文摘<b>Background: </b>Many inflammatory cells, cytokines, acute phase reactants as well as platelets are recruited in the battle against the invading mycobacterium. As a result, alterations in the hematologic profile of infected patients are anticipated.<b> Objectives: </b>The primary objective was to investigate the various hematologic characteristics of patients with active tuberculosis. The secondary objective was to study the correlation between such hematologic characteristics and the type of tuberculosis including pulmonary, extra-pulmonary, and disseminated. <b>Methods: </b>This was a retrospective, descriptive study investigating the hematological findings in adult patients (aged 18 years or older) with active, bacteriologically-confirmed tuberculosis infection. <b>Results: </b>Among the 605 confirmed active tuberculosis cases, 465 (78.8%) were pulmonary, 104 (17.6%) extra-pulmonary, and 21 (3.6%) disseminated type. The mean age at diagnosis was 33.4 ± 11.4 years and males constituted 80.2% of cases. Peripheral leukocytosis was observed in 177 (30.1%) and leukopenia in 7 (1.2%) (Pulmonary type of tuberculosis was significantly associated with leukocytosis (P = 0.000)). Neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, monocytosis, eosinophilia, and basophilia were observed in 15.3%, 3.1%, 10.4%, 6.3% and 4.7% respectively. Thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis were observed in 3.9% and 26.7% respectively. Anemia was observed in 44.8% of all cases with 4.4% had severe anemia and 60.3% had anemia of chronic diseases. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was high in 77.2% of cases and ≥100 mm/hr in 5%. C-reactive protein was high in 93.4% and it exceeded 40 mg/L in 69.3%. <b>Conclusion: </b>There is a wide range of variability in the leukocyte and differential leukocyte abnormalities observed in patients with active tuberculosis. Leukocytosis can be seen in one-third of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Anemia of chronic diseases is the most common type of anemia observed in tuberculosis patients. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein are elevated in the majority of patients with active tuberculosis. Levels of the sedimentation rate can be useful indices to determine the extent of the disease.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation Project of China(Investigation of the Influence of Functional Polymorphisms in ANAPC4 on Susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis,No.81072455)the Army Medical Research "Twelfth Five Year Plan" Key Project(High Humidity Environment Factors Damage the Establishment of Appropriate Technology Platform and Study Comprehensive Medical Service Safeguard Measures,No.BWS11J06)the Sichuan Provincial Health Department(Study the Regulatory Mechanism of the Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Sanhuangyilong Decoction and its Component united with Methotrexate,No.120573)
文摘OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Sanhuangyilong decoction plus methotrexate(MTX) on Interferon gamma(IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) in the serum and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) patients with damp-heat-obstruction symptom pattern, Sanhuangyilong decoction and the role of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the development of RA.METHODS: RA inpatients with damp-heat-obstruction symptom pattern(partly with knee joint effusion) were selected as the research subjects. Before the treatment, healthy subjects and osteoarthritis(OA) patients with knee joint effusion were assigned to the serum control group and the synovial fluid control group, respectively; during the treatment, RA patients with damp-heat-obstruction symptom pattern were divided into two groups:one is combined group that was administered Sanhuangyilong decoction plus MTX; the other group was MTX group that received MTX only. The expression levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the serum and synovial fluid were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) before and after the treatment, and the peripheral blood levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP) and disease activity score in 28 joints(DAS28)were determined.RESULTS: Before treatment, the serum levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the RA patients with dampheat-obstruction symptom pattern were higher than those in healthy control group(P < 0.05).The expression levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the synovial fluid of the RA patients were higher than those in the serum of the RA patients(P < 0.05). The expression levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the synovial fluid of the RA patients were higher than those of the sy-novial fluid of the osteoarthritis patients(P < 0.05).The expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the serum and synovial fluid of the RA patients had no correlation with the inflammatory activity index ESR, CRP,or DAS28(P > 0.05). After 2 weeks of treatment, the expression level of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the combined group had increased, although the difference was not statistically significant(P > 0.05); in contrast, ESR, CRP, and DAS28 decreased, and the difference was statistically significant(P < 0.01). After 4 weeks of therapy, TNF-alpha and IFN-γ, ESR,CRP, and DAS28 in the combined group decreased compared with the before-treatment levels(P <0.01). After 2 w of treatment, the differences in the TNF-α and IFN-γ expression levels in the combined group were not statistically significant(P > 0.05)compared with that in the MTX group, although there were statistically significant differences in the ESR, CRP, and DAS28(P < 0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, differences in TNF-α, IFN-γ, ESR, CRP, and DAS28 in the combined group compared with MTX group were statistically significant(P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: TNF-α and IFN-γ might be involved in the development of RA. The RA patients with damp-heat-obstruction symptom pattern show better benefits from the treatment of Sanhuangyilong decoction plus MTX, and the treatment is superior to that of using MTX only.
基金grants from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department of Chongqing Municipal Health and Family Planning commission(No.2012-1-16)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant no.81673724)+1 种基金Chongqing Science and Technology Commission(cstc2018jxj1130084 and cstc2017jxjl130033)Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Advantageous Diseases Special Fund(No.cqszyyysbz2018004)。
文摘OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Rebixiao(RBX)Chinese herbal tablets(CHT)and Chinese formula granules(CFG)in the treatment of acute gout arthritis(AGA).METHODS:This randomized,multicenter,double-blind,controlled trial included 165 AGA patients with the damp-heat symptom pattern who were randomly divided into an RBX CHT group and an RBX CFG group and treated for 7 d at three centers.The total effective rates of the joint symptom score,Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)symptoms score,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and C-reactive protein(CRP)were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy.Safety assessments were also performed.RESULTS:Of the 165 enrolled patients,147 completed the clinical observation.There was no difference in baseline between the two groups.The total effective rates of the joint symptom score were 94.36%and 97.36%,and the total effective rates of the TCM symptoms score were 95.77%and 97.36%in the CFG group and CHT group,respectively.No statistical difference was found between the two groups(P>0.05).Additionally,ESR and CRP were similar in both groups(P>0.05).Furthermore,treatment efficacy regarding TCM and joint symptoms,the ESR,and CRP were consistent within each center and among the different centers(P>0.05).In addition,the incidence of adverse events was 4.22%and 2.63%in the CFG group and CHT group,respectively,and no difference was observed between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:RBX CFG and CHT have significant and similar efficacy in the treatment of AGA,and CFG did not increase adverse side effects.
基金the Army Medical Research Twelfth Five Year Plan Key Project(No.BWS11J06)the Sichuan Provincial Health Department(No.120573)
文摘OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of methotrexate(MTX) combined with Sanhuang Yilong decoction(SYD) on aquaporin(AQP) expression,and to explore the role of AQPs in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis(RA).METHODS:A total of 118 dampness-heat blockage type RA patients who were hospitalized in the General Chengdu Military Hospital between January2014 and December 2016 were selected as subjects in this study(30 patient of these patients with knee joint effusion were assigned to the RA synovial fluid group).For the pre-treatment controlgroups,30 healthy volunteers were recruited as the healthy control group and 30 osteoarthritis(OA) patients with knee joint effusion were included as OA synovial fluid control group.The RA dampnessheat blockage syndrome treatment groups were divided into 45 cases in the combined group and 45 cases in the MTX group.The combined group received MTX combined with SYD treatment while the MTX group received MTX alone.AQP1,AQP2 and AQP3 expressions were detected in the serum and synovial fluid.RESULTS:AQP1 had the highest expression,followed by AQP3,and AQP2.The serum levels of AQP1,AQP2 and AQP3 were all significantly lower than those in the healthy volunteers(P < 0.05),while the synovial fluid AQP1,AQP2 and AQP3 expression in the RA group were comparable to these in the OA groups(P > 0.05).After treatment for2 weeks,serum AQP1,AQP2,AQP3 were significantly increased and erythrocyte sedimentation rate,C-reactive protein,disease activity score of 28 joints were decreased in the combined group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Abnormal expression of AQPs inhibits water metabolism in RA dampness-heat blockage syndrome,so liquid is accumulated at the joint,which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA.MTX combined with SYD for the treatment of RA can effectively increase AQP expression.
文摘Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture plus spinal manipulations on the physical functioning and levels of alkaline phosphatase(ALP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP)and osteoprotegerin(OPG)in patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS).Methods A total of 128 AS cases were allocated into a control group and an observation group using random number table method,with 64 cases in each group.Patients in both groups took sulfasalazine and meloxicam.Patients in the observation group received additional acupuncture plus spinal manipulations.The efficacy,Bath AS functional index(BASFI),Bath AS disease activity index(BASDAI),and the levels of ALP,ESR,CRP and OPG were compared between the two groups after eight weeks of treatment.Results After treatment,the symptom scores of traditional Chinese medicine in both groups were decreased(all P<0.05),and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group(all P<0.05);the VAS,BASFI and BASDAI scores in both groups were decreased(all P<0.05),and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group(all P<0.05);and the ALP,ESR,CRP and OPG levels in both groups were decreased(all P<0.05),and these levels in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group(all P<0.05).The total efficacy rate was 92.2%in the observation group,versus 78.1%in the control group,presenting a statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion Conventional medication combined with acupuncture and spinal manipulations can improve clinical symptoms,accelerate the recovery of physical functioning,and reduce the ALP,ESR,CRP and OPG levels.