A collection of neurons in the upper lumbar spinal cord (lumbar segments 3 and 4) of male rats project to the lower lumbar spinal cord (lumbar segments 5 and 6) and release a gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) to the somatic and autonomic regions, which are known to regulate male sexual reflexes. The GRP plays some special functions when bound to the specific GRP receptor (GRPR). The spinal GRP system is regulated by androgens. Accumulating evidence shows that GRP plays an important role in rat penile erection and ejaculation, and pharmacological stimulation of GRPRs with a specific agonist can restore penile reflexes and ejaculation in castrated male rats. Therefore, the GRP system appears to be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or ejaculatory dysfunction. The present paper briefly reviews the recent studies on the role of the spinal GRP system in regulating the sexual function of males.
Androgens ; metabolism ; Animals ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide ; metabolism ; physiology ; Male ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Rats ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the acceptability and feasibility of the “HAPPY ME”, a smartphone application (app) for guiding healthy eating habits and physical activities to prevent childhood obesity, through in-depth interviews of 5th and 6th grade students of an elementary school. METHODS: A total of 25 students were recruited from grades 5 and 6 of an elementary school in Gimpo. They were asked to participate in in-depth interviews about expectations regarding the “HAPPY ME”, smartphone usage behaviors, perceptions and attitudes towards health, and satisfaction with the “HAPPY ME”, before and after the 4-week trial of the “HAPPY ME”. RESULTS: Study participants reported a high level of satisfaction regarding gamification elements such as awarding points as rewards for completing missions and using closed social networking services with friends. They also reported that their eating habits had improved after the 4-week trial. However, some students felt that the app was complicated to use and recommended that it should have prompts as notifications. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the “HAPPY ME” is acceptable and feasible for use with children. However, the app needs to be modified based on the results of this study.
Awards and Prizes ; Child ; Child Nutrition Sciences ; Eating ; Friends ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Mobile Applications ; Motor Activity ; Obesity ; Pediatric Obesity* ; Religious Missions ; Reward ; Smartphone*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of emodin on apoptosis induction and proliferation inhibition in human apoptosis and on c-myc protein and mRNA expression in human myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60 cells.

METHODSHL-60 cells were exposed to emodin at different dosages. Growth inhibition was detected by MTT assay and colony formation assay, and cell apoptosis by flow cytometry, TUNEL labeling method, DNA fragmentation and MitoCapture apoptosis detection. The expression of c-myc was detected by RT-PCR and Western-blot.

RESULTSEmodin remarkably inhibited the cell proliferation, with an IC(50) value of 20 micromol/L. HL-60 cells apoptosis could be efficiently induced by emodin in a dose dependent manner. The c-myc protein and mRNA expressions on HL-60 cells were decreased after emodin treatment.

CONCLUSIONEmodin could efficiently induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in HL-60 cells. c-myc may be involved in this process.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Emodin ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

Objective To construct a new conditionally replicative adenovirus (CRAds) targeting carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) positive colorectal cancer cells. Methods The DNA fragment of the CEA gene promoter was amplified through PCR and cloned into the vector carrying fusion reporter gene EGFP-Luc to construct expression plasmid pCEA-EGFPLuc. The constructed plasmid pCEA-EGFPLuc was transfected into CEA positive and negative cells by liposome. The activity of CEA gene promoter was evaluated by detecting the expression of EGFP and luciferase activity. The conditionally replicative adenovirus Ad.CEA-E1A/CMV-TK carrying suicide gene HSVtk was constructed, in which the E1A gene was controlled under CEA promoter. CEA positive(Lovo and SW620)and negative tumor cells(HeLa) were infected with Ad.CEA-E1A/ CMV-TK. The selective cytotoxicity of Ad.CEA-E1A/CMV-TK and the synergistic effect of the virus with GCV in CEA positive tumor cells were evaluated by the expression of E1A, cytopathic effect and cell survival rate. Results CEA promoter possesses a good specificity as well as high activity. The expression of E1A only presented in CEA positive tumor cells. After infection with Ad. CEA-E1A/CMV-TK, the cell survival rates of Lovo and SW620 were (36.72±2.49)% and (39.82±4.76)%, respectively, significantly lower than that of Hela[(87.44±2.76)%1 (P<0.01). When combined with GCV, Ad.CEA-E1A/CMV-TK had better oncolytic effect on Lovo and SW620 cells, with cell survival rates of (17.26±3.65) % and (23.93±5.40) %, respectively, significantly lower than those without GCV[(36.72±2.49) % and (39.82±4.76) %, respectively] (P<0.01). Conclusion Ad. CEA-E1A/CMV-TK under the control of CEA promoter has selective cytotoxic effect on CEA positive colorectal cancer cells, and the effect can be enhanced when combined with GCV.

Objective To investigate the effect of interventional embolization on the clinical outcome and cognitive function of patients with anterior communicating artery aneurysm rupture .Methods The data of 120 patients with anterior communicating artery aneurysm rup-ture in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed ,in which 71 cases were treated by the spring coil emboli-zation,21 cases received balloon-assisted coiling,23 cases received stent-assisted coil embolization .At the same time,50 healthy people were collected as control group .The preoperative , postoperative cognitive function and the clinical effect of the patients were evaluated .Results Coil embolization group completed embolism in 29 cases,40 cases of most embolism ,2 cases of partial embolization;balloon-assisted coiling group completed embolism in 16 cases,4 cases of most embolism ,1 cases of partial embolization;17 cases of stent assisted coil embolization group completed embolism ,3 cases of most embolism ,3 cases of partial embolism .There was statistically significant difference in embolization rate of coil embolization group(χ2 =6.8862,P=0.0320),balloon-assisted coiling group(χ2 =15.900,P=0.0004) and stent assisted coil embolization group(χ2 =7.280,P=0.0262).After the treatment,the difference in cognitive function of coil embolization group (24.0 ± 0.2) and balloon-assisted coiling group(24.3 ±0.2) was statistically significant (t=86.0386,P=0.0000);the difference between coil embolization group(24.0 ±0.2) and balloon-assisted coiling group(24.3 ±0.2) was statistically significant(t=46.3848,P=0.0000);the difference between balloon-assisted coiling group(24.3 ±0.2) and stent assisted coil embolization group (21.5 ±0.2) points was statisti-cally significant(t=52.1002,P=0.0000).Conclusion Different interventional embolization techniques can improve the cognitive func-tion of patients with ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm ,which has more obviously effect on the cognitive function of patients with stent assisted coil embolization .

Background: Hypertrophic scarring represents an aberrant response to wounds in certain individuals, manifesting with symptoms such as itching, tenderness, pain, and pigmentation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a silicone-based gel on the healing of hypertrophic scars, particularly those originating from deep tissue wounds. Methods: A rat model of wound healing and scarring was established, and 12 rats were randomly assigned to three groups: Dermatix Ultra group, SFG-100 silicone-gel group, and non-treated group. Rats in the treated groups (Dermatix Ultra and SFG-100 silicone-gel) received twice-daily applications for 8 weeks. Histologic analysis, including biopsy, was conducted to evaluate the scar elevation index, epidermis thickness, and the number of granulation veins. Results: Overall, both the Dermatix Ultra and SFG-100 silicone-gel groups exhibited improvements in hypertrophic scar healing, accompanied by a significant reduction in skin pigmentation. Histopathologically, scars in both treated groups displayed a notable decrease in scar elevation index, epithelial thickness, and collagen disorganization compared to the non-treated group. However, no significant difference was observed between the Dermatix Ultra and SFG-100 silicone-gel groups. Conclusion The results suggest that SFG-100 silicone-gel is an effective therapeutic agent for hypertrophic scars. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying its efficacy and to optimize its application for clinical use.

Background: Hypertrophic scarring represents an aberrant response to wounds in certain individuals, manifesting with symptoms such as itching, tenderness, pain, and pigmentation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a silicone-based gel on the healing of hypertrophic scars, particularly those originating from deep tissue wounds. Methods: A rat model of wound healing and scarring was established, and 12 rats were randomly assigned to three groups: Dermatix Ultra group, SFG-100 silicone-gel group, and non-treated group. Rats in the treated groups (Dermatix Ultra and SFG-100 silicone-gel) received twice-daily applications for 8 weeks. Histologic analysis, including biopsy, was conducted to evaluate the scar elevation index, epidermis thickness, and the number of granulation veins. Results: Overall, both the Dermatix Ultra and SFG-100 silicone-gel groups exhibited improvements in hypertrophic scar healing, accompanied by a significant reduction in skin pigmentation. Histopathologically, scars in both treated groups displayed a notable decrease in scar elevation index, epithelial thickness, and collagen disorganization compared to the non-treated group. However, no significant difference was observed between the Dermatix Ultra and SFG-100 silicone-gel groups. Conclusion The results suggest that SFG-100 silicone-gel is an effective therapeutic agent for hypertrophic scars. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying its efficacy and to optimize its application for clinical use.

Background: Hypertrophic scarring represents an aberrant response to wounds in certain individuals, manifesting with symptoms such as itching, tenderness, pain, and pigmentation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a silicone-based gel on the healing of hypertrophic scars, particularly those originating from deep tissue wounds. Methods: A rat model of wound healing and scarring was established, and 12 rats were randomly assigned to three groups: Dermatix Ultra group, SFG-100 silicone-gel group, and non-treated group. Rats in the treated groups (Dermatix Ultra and SFG-100 silicone-gel) received twice-daily applications for 8 weeks. Histologic analysis, including biopsy, was conducted to evaluate the scar elevation index, epidermis thickness, and the number of granulation veins. Results: Overall, both the Dermatix Ultra and SFG-100 silicone-gel groups exhibited improvements in hypertrophic scar healing, accompanied by a significant reduction in skin pigmentation. Histopathologically, scars in both treated groups displayed a notable decrease in scar elevation index, epithelial thickness, and collagen disorganization compared to the non-treated group. However, no significant difference was observed between the Dermatix Ultra and SFG-100 silicone-gel groups. Conclusion The results suggest that SFG-100 silicone-gel is an effective therapeutic agent for hypertrophic scars. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying its efficacy and to optimize its application for clinical use.

Background: Hypertrophic scarring represents an aberrant response to wounds in certain individuals, manifesting with symptoms such as itching, tenderness, pain, and pigmentation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a silicone-based gel on the healing of hypertrophic scars, particularly those originating from deep tissue wounds. Methods: A rat model of wound healing and scarring was established, and 12 rats were randomly assigned to three groups: Dermatix Ultra group, SFG-100 silicone-gel group, and non-treated group. Rats in the treated groups (Dermatix Ultra and SFG-100 silicone-gel) received twice-daily applications for 8 weeks. Histologic analysis, including biopsy, was conducted to evaluate the scar elevation index, epidermis thickness, and the number of granulation veins. Results: Overall, both the Dermatix Ultra and SFG-100 silicone-gel groups exhibited improvements in hypertrophic scar healing, accompanied by a significant reduction in skin pigmentation. Histopathologically, scars in both treated groups displayed a notable decrease in scar elevation index, epithelial thickness, and collagen disorganization compared to the non-treated group. However, no significant difference was observed between the Dermatix Ultra and SFG-100 silicone-gel groups. Conclusion The results suggest that SFG-100 silicone-gel is an effective therapeutic agent for hypertrophic scars. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying its efficacy and to optimize its application for clinical use.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of falsely elevated risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) in a group of women with pathologically confirmed endometrioma and to investigate the associated factors. METHODS: One hundred premenopausal women surgically diagnosed with ovarian endometrioma were selected. Preoperative clinical, laboratory, and surgical characteristics were compared between the elevated-risk group (ROMA-premenopausal value, ≥7.4%) and normal-risk group (ROMA-premenopausal value, <7.4%). RESULTS: Elevated ROMA was observed in 15 women (false positive rate, 15%). Excluding one woman with known chronic renal failure, we compared the characteristics of 99 women between the elevated-risk group (n=14) and the normalrisk group (n=85). None of the clinical and surgical variables distinguished the two groups. Serum level of CA 125 >82.3 U/mL and serum level of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) >46 pmol/L could predict an elevated ROMA test with a statistical significance. When serum level of HE4 ≤46 pmol/L, none of the women showed an elevated ROMA test, regardless of serum level of CA 125; however, 55.6% of the women showed an elevated ROMA test when serum level of HE4 >46 pmol/L and CA 125 ≤82.3 U/mL and all women showed an elevated ROMA test when serum level of HE4 >46 pmol/L and CA 125 >82.3 U/mL. CONCLUSION: The incidence of falsely elevated ROMA was 15% in the group of women with pathologically confirmed endometrioma. Interpretation of the ROMA results should be cautious when serum level of HE4 >46 pmol/L and CA 125 >82.3 U/mL in women with suspicious ovarian endometrioma.
Endometriosis* ; Epididymis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Male ; Roma