Objective To observe the clinical effects of hyaluronidase iontophoresis in the treatment of in- fants with congenital muscular torticollis(CMT).Methods Fifty infants with congenital muscular torticollis were divided randomly into a treatment group and a control group.Manual stretching was performed with both groups,while hyaluronidase iontophoresis was also administered to those in the treatment group.The range of side-flexion and rota- tion of the neck was examined at the beginning of and after 1 and 2 months of treatment.At the end of the treatment, the overall outcome was assessed according to a scoring system.Results There was no significant difference be- tween the two groups at admission.Compared with the control group,the range of side-flexion and rotation of the neck,and the overall treatment outcome were all significantly better in the treatment group after treatment.Conclu- sion Hyaluronidase iontophoresis can effectively improve function in infants with CMT and alleviate their symptoms.

AIMTo investigate the expression and distribution of the members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel members of TRP melastatin (TRPM) and TRP vanilloid (TRPV) subfamilies in rat prostatic tissue.

METHODSProstate tissue was obtained from male Sprague-Dawley rats. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to check the expression of all TRPM and TRPV channel members with specific primers. Immunohistochemistry staining for TRPM8 and TRPV1 were also performed in rat tissues.

RESULTSTRPM2, TRPM3, TRPM4, TRPM6, TRPM7, TRPM8, TRPV2 and TRPV4 mRNA were detected in all rat prostatic tissues. Very weak signals for TRPM1, TRPV1 and TRPV3 were also detected. The mRNA of TRPM5, TRPV5 and TRPV6 were not detected in all RT-PCR experiments. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR showed that TRPM2, TRPM3, TRPM4, TRPM8, TRPV2 and TRPV4 were the most abundantly expressed TRPM and TRPV subtypes, respectively. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry indicated that TRPM8 and TRPV1 are highly expressed in both epithelial and smooth muscle cells.

CONCLUSIONOur results demonstrate that mRNA or protein for TRPM1, TRPM2, TRPM3, TRPM4, TRPM6, TRPM7, TRPM8, TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3 and TRPV4 exist in rat prostatic tissue. The data presented here assists in elucidating the physiological function of TRPM and TRPV channels.

Animals ; Clusterin ; genetics ; physiology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Prostate ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; TRPV Cation Channels ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of GreenLight 120-W laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) versus transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, CNKI, and VIP for randomized control trials and their references addressing 120-W PVP versus TURP in the treatment of BPH. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two reviewers independently accomplished the screening, quality assessment, and data extraction of the identified studies and performed meta-analyses using RevMan 5.2.

RESULTSTotally, 6 randomized control trials were included in this analysis, involving 703 cases, 351 treated by PVP and 352 by TURP. Compared with TURP, PVP showed significantly decreased time of catheterization (by 32. 55 hours, 95% CI 15.3 -49.8, P < 0.01), hospital stay (by 1.85 days, 95% CI 1.2-2.5, P < 0.01), and intraoperative blood loss (by 15.6 g/L, 95% CI 10.0-21.2, P < 0.01), but increased time of operation (by 9.37 minutes, 95% CI 5. 1-13.6, P < 0.01). There was also a significant reduction in blood transfusion, TUR syndrome, and capsular perforation in the PVP group. At 12 months after surgery, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in the improvement of maximum urinary flow rate, IPSS, postvoid residual, and sexual function.

CONCLUSIONGreenLight 120-W laser PVP is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of BPH, with similar effectiveness to TURP but less blood loss, shorter time of catheterization and hospital stay, and lower incidences of blood transfusion, TUR syndrome and capsular perforation.

Blood Loss, Surgical ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Prostate ; surgery ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of the Chinese medicine Yiqigushen Capsule combined with levofloxacin on type III A prostatitis.

METHODSA total of 180 patients with type III A prostatitis were equally randomized into a treatment group, which received Yiqigushen Capsule combined with levofloxacin, and a control group, which was given Yiqigushen Capsule only, both for 4 weeks. NIH-CPSI scores and leukocyte counts in the expressed prostatic secretions of all the patients were analyzed before and after the treatment.

RESULTSAfter the treatment, NIH-CPSI scores and leukocyte counts in the expressed prostatic secretions of both the groups were significantly decreased compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.05 or 0.01), with statistic differences in NIH-CPSI scores but not in leukocyte counts (P < 0.05) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONYiqigushen Capsule combined with levofloxacin is highly effective for type III A prostatitis.

Adult ; Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary ; therapeutic use ; Capsules ; Chronic Disease ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Levofloxacin ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Ofloxacin ; therapeutic use ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome

Sildenafil is an orally effective therapy for the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction (ED). It is a specific and selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). This paper reviews the researches on the pharmacokinetics, the onset and duration of the action of Sildenafil.
Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Piperazines ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Purines ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Sildenafil Citrate ; Sulfones ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use

Growth factors have a universal bioactivity. Gene therapy is a new strategy in dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED). This paper presents an overview on the value of growth factors, particularly the vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), in the treatment of ED.
Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction ; therapy ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; genetics ; Male ; Rats ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of combined testing of urinary bladder cancer antigen(UBC),hyaluronic acid(HA)and survivin in the detection of bladder cancer.Methods This study included 64 bladder cancer patients and 20 urinary benign disease patients.The examinations of urine UBC by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),HA by radioimmunology assay,survivin by RT-PCR and urine cytology were performed in them.Results The sensitivity of UBC(85.9%,55/64),HA (89.1%,57/64)and survivin(93.8%,60/64)was significantly higher than that of urine cytology (40.6%,P＜0.01).The specificity of UBC,HA,survivin and urine cytology was 85.0%(17/20),80.0% (16/20),95.0%(19/20)and 95.0%(19/20),respectively;there was no significant difference among these 4 methods(P＞0.05).The sensitivity of UBC,HA and survivin was also significantly higher than that of urine cytology in different histologic stages and grades(P＜0.05).The sensitivity of UBC and survivin was not significantly different among different histologie stages and grades(P＞0.05).With regard to HA test, the sensitivity in G_2 and G_3 groups was significantly higher than G_1 group(P＜0.01),but there was no differ- ence between G_2 and G_3 groups(P＞0.05);and no difference among different histologic stages(P＞0.05). However,the sensitivity of cytology was improved with the higher grade of bladder cancer(P＜0.01);there was no difference among histologic stages(P＞0.05),By combined use of UBC,HA and survivin,both the sensitivity and specificity were 100%.Conclusions The study indicates that UBC,HA and survivin are better diagnostic markers for the early detection of urinary bladder cancer.These tests are simple,feasible and noninvasive with higher sensitivity and specificity.In addition,combined use of them can improve the diag- nostic sensitivity and specificity.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of the mRNAs of transient receptor potential (TRP) gene subfamily TRPV and TRPM in rat testes.

METHODSNormal SD rat testes were collected and the expression of TRPV and TRPM mRNAs were detected by routine RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe TRPV4, TRPV5, TRPV6, TRPM3, TRPM4 and TRPM8 mRNAs were detected in the rat testes, but the other members of TRPV and TRPM family were not detected.

CONCLUSIONSTRPV4, TRPV5, TRPV6, TRPM3, TRPM4 and TRPM8 are expressed in rat testes. This finding provides the basis for exploring the functions of TRPV and TRPM in the testes and the relation between testis diseases and the TRP family.

Animals ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; TRPM Cation Channels ; genetics ; metabolism ; TRPV Cation Channels ; genetics ; metabolism ; Testis ; metabolism

AIMTo determine whether adenoviral gene transfer of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to the penis of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats could improve erectile capacity.

METHODSTHE STZ diabetic rats were transfected with AdCMV-betagal or AdCMV-IGF-1. These rats underwent cavernous nerve stimulation to assess erectile function and their responses were compared with those of age-matched control rats 1 to 2 days after transfection. In control and transfected STZ diabetic rats, IGF-1 expression were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and histology. The penis beta-galactosidase activity and localization of the STZ diabetic rats were also determined.

RESULTSOne to two days after transfection, the beta-galactosidase was found in the smooth muscle cells of the diabetic rat penis transfected with AdCMV-betagal. One to 2 days after administration of AdCMV-IGF-1, the cavernosal pressure, as determined by the ratio of maximal intracavernous pressure-to-mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) and total intracavernous pressure (ICP), was increased in response to cavernous nerve stimulation. Transgene expression was confirmed by RT-PCR, Western blot and histology.

CONCLUSIONGene transfer of IGF-1 significantly increased erectile function in the STZ diabetic rats. These results suggest that in vivo gene transfer of IGF-1 might be a new therapeutic intervention for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in the STZ diabetic rats.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Body Weight ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; physiopathology ; Erectile Dysfunction ; prevention & control ; Genetic Therapy ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; genetics ; Male ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Penis ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reference Values ; beta-Galactosidase ; metabolism

We investigated the effects of transient receptor potential M8 (TRPM8) channel on the proliferation and motility of androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells. After being permanently transfected with an empty vector and cDNA encoding the TRPM8 protein, cells were analysed for cell cycle distribution and motility using flow cytometry and scratch assay. Immunocytochemistry and Ca2+ imaging analysis revealed the overexpression of functional TRPM8 channel on both endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane of PC-3-TRPM8 cells. Cell cycle distribution and scratch assay analysis revealed that TRPM8 induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 stage (P < 0.05) and facilitated the cell apoptosis induced by starvation (P < 0.05). Furthermore, TRPM8 inhibited the migration of PC-3-TRPM8 cells (P < 0.01) through the inactivation of focal-adhesion kinase. It appears that TRPM8 was not essential for the survival of PC-3 cells; however, the overexpression of TRPM8 had negative effects on the proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells. Thus, TRPM8 and its agonists may serve as important targets for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Apoptosis ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Cytosol ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Starvation ; pathology ; TRPM Cation Channels ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection