OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Yijing Huoxue Cuyun Decoction (YHCD) in adjusting hypoestrogenemic response induced by clomiphene.

METHODSInfertile patients caused by ovulation disturbance were randomly divided into 2 groups. The 60 patients in the observed group were treated with clomiphine plus YHCD, and the 58 patients in the control group were given clomiphine plus estradiol valerate.

RESULTSBy scoring on the cervical relaxation and improvement of cervical mucus, 38 patients (63.3%) in the observed group had Insler score of more than 8 points, while that in the control group was only 25 (43.1%), comparison between the two groups showed significant difference (P < 0.05). The endometrium thickening in the observed group was 0.98 +/- 0.19 cm, significantly different to that in the control group (0.85 +/- 0.21 cm, P < 0.01). Twenty-five patients in the observed group (41.7%), and fourteen patients in the control group (24.1%), respectively got pregnancy, the pregnant rate in the former was obviously higher than that in the latter (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONYHCD can ameliorate hypoestrinemia induced by clomiphene and increase the pregnant rate in patients.

Adult ; Clomiphene ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Estrogens ; blood ; deficiency ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; drug therapy ; Ovulation ; drug effects ; Ovulation Induction ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo gain a deeper insight into the benefits of oral tadalafil for patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSFrom January 2008 to June 2009, we conducted a nationwide survey on the quality of male erectile function among the outpatients under the direction of the Chinese Association of Andrology. A total of 205 ED patients were prescribed oral tadalafil and accomplished a questionnaire investigation after 4 weeks of medication. We compared various parameters of the patients before and after the treatment.

RESULTSFour weeks of oral tadalafil medication achieved a total rate of effectiveness of 85.9% (176/205). The proportion of those with moderate to severe ED was decreased from 67.8% (139/205) before medication to 16.6% (34/205) after it. Those who enjoyed sexual life were increased from 21.5% (44/205) before medication to 84.9% (174/205) after it. Only 1.0% (2/205) of the patients could achieve grade 4 penile hardness before the treatment, as compared with 60.5% (124/205) after it. And the frequency of sexual intercourse was significantly increased, over 4 times in 90.2% (159/205) of the patients.

CONCLUSIONOral tadalafil, with its sure effectiveness on ED, can bring great benefits to the sexual life of ED patients.

Adult ; Carbolines ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tadalafil ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological changes of erectile dysfunction (ED) patients in the past five years.

METHODSIn 2003 and 2008, we conducted two questionnaire investigations on the epidemiological changes of ED outpatients in 11 Chinese cities in such aspects as age, disease course, ED severity, smoking and drinking habits, accompanying hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease (CHD), and sexual intercourse satisfaction.

RESULTSAccording to the valid copies of the questionnaire collected (808 in 2003 and 858 in 2008), the age pattern of the ED patients hardly changed in the past five years, over 60% aged 30 - 50 years. Compared with the results obtained in 2003, the second investigation showed obvious increases in the following numbers of the ED patients: by 13% in those with longer disease courses (5 - 10 yr), from 24.1 to 42.9% in those with moderate ED, from 20.4 to 29.9% in those with severe ED, by at least 10% in those with smoking and drinking habits, from 11.5 to 16.2% in those with hypertension, from 9.4 to 13.5% in those with diabetes, and from 57.6 to 73.3% in those without sexual satisfaction, while the number of those with CHD did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONIncreased unhealthy living habits and erectile function impairing diseases have added to the incidence and severity of ED. There is still much work to be done in the prevention and early treatment of ED.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Outpatients ; Penile Erection ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population

BACKGROUNDErectile dysfunction (ED) is a common impairment among older men, and the prevalence rates increase sharply after age of 60 years. Most studies have focused on the prevalence rate or dangerous factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the basic epidemiologic data about ED patients with different ED courses. The purpose of this research was to understand the therapeutic effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5-I) and see how and why the ED course impact the progress of ED and the therapeutic effect of PDE5-I treatment.

METHODSFrom June 2008 to June 2009, 4252 questionnaires (Quality of Erection Questionnaire, QEQ) were gathered from 46 centers by urology or andrology doctors all around China. Patients with ED (age ≥ 20 years) filled in first half of the questionnaires when they came for the first time, and then completed the second half 4 weeks after PDE5-I therapy.

RESULTSED courses of most patients were less than 5 years (< 5 years, 74.0%; 5 - 10 years 20.8%; > 10 years, 5.2%). As ED course increasing, the incidence of the risk factors of ED, such as smoking, drinking, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and hyperlipidemia also increase (P ≤ 0.01). PDE5-I was effective in improving the quality of sexual activities (P ≤ 0.01). Administration of PDE5-I improves satisfaction, enjoyment and frequency of sexual activities. The longer the ED course, the worse the therapeutic effect (< 5 years, 96.1%; 5 - 10 years, 94.9%; > 10 years, 89.0%) (P ≤ 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe ED course greatly affected the therapeutic effect of PDE5-1, the patients with ED should consult doctor at early stage of the disease. Administration of PDE5-I effectively improves the penile erection and the quality of sexual life of the patients hence should be considered as first-line medicine in the treatment of ED.

Adult ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study is to investigate the osteogenic potential and possibility of combination application of mimetic osteoinductive periosteum with tissue-engineered bone.

METHODSThe three-dimensional construction of tissue-engineered bone was made by implantation of adipose derived stromal cells (ADSCs) into rhBMP-2 mediated bio-derived carrier, and mimetic periosteum was constructed by loading ADSCs into Cs-Col-beta3-TCP with rhBMP-2. 10 mm defects of right radiuses were established in adult New Zealand rabbits, group A was transplanted by tissue-engineered bone with mimetic periosteum, group B was implanted by tissue-engineered bone, and group C was implanted by mimetic periosteum, group D was transplanted by bio-derived compound bone as blank scaffold. X-ray, histology, immunohistochemistry stain, dural energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examinations were performed at different periods.

RESULTSGroup A played a predominant role in process of new tissue regeneration and mature bone reconstitution, defect completely healed at 12 weeks. Group B showed primary repair, group C also existed in modeling stage. While, group D displayed retard regeneration with poor osteogenic capacity. DEXA result showed that group A had statistical significance over control group according to data of BMC and BMD ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEnhanced osteogenic potential can be obtained by using tissue-engineered bone with mimetic osteoinductive periosteum. Defect can be healed with concord pattern of osteoinductive and osteopromotive and osteoconductive effects.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone Substitutes ; Male ; Periosteum ; Rabbits ; Radius ; pathology ; surgery ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

Objective To investigate effect of global nursing care on rehabilitation effect of gynecologic cancer patients receiving laparoscopic surgery.Methods 115 cases of laparoscopic surgery in gynecologic cancer patients were randomly divided into two groups.the intervention group is 58 and the control group 57.Two groups with the laparoscopic surgery received a same routine care,in the intervention group patients received an intervention care consisted of cognitive behavioral intervention before surgery,postoperative pain,intervention and follow-up intervention after discharge as one of the whole individual nursing intervention model;In the control patients received traditional routine care before and after laparoscopic surgery.Intervention effects were observed in two groups.Results The intervention group at different times after the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) was significantly lower than the control group.72 h VAS in intervention group was ( 1.35 ±1.02),and was (2.76 ± 1.20) in control group,and the difference was significant ( t =6.79,P ＜ 0.01 ) ;days in hospital in intervention group was (7.15 ±2.15)d and (9.89 ±2.18) in control group,and the difference was significant ( t =6.79,P ＜ 0.01 ) ; The recurrence rate in intervention group ( 1.72％ ) was significantly lower than the control group ( 14.03％ ),and the difference was significant ( x2 =4.45,P ＜0.05).Conclusions Whole course of individualized nursing intervention care has promoted rehabilitation,increased the postoperative quality of life and improve the effect of laparoscopic surgery of patients.

Objective To evaluate the effect of continued nursing support on the quality of life of postoperative patients with gynecologic malignancies.Methods A total of 125 patients with gynecologic malignancies were randomly divided into two groups according to random number method:63 patients in the intervention group and 62 patients in the control group.All patients received the same preoperative routine nursing following doctors' orders.At the same time,the patients in intervention group received the continued nursing intervention of rehabilitation after discharge.Intervention effects were observed in two groups by using Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ).Results There were not statistically significant difference between the two groups of patients in the scores of anxiety,positive response and negative response before intervention (P ＞ 0.05).The scores of anxiety,positive response and negative response after intervention in the intervention group were (23.52 ±4.15),(47.85 ± 3.52) and (18.15 ± 3.18),which were (38.92 ± 4.22),(33.59 ± 3.57) and (25.70 ± 3.25) in the control group,respectively,and these difference were statistically significant (t =20.570,22.486,13.127,respectively; P ＜0.01).The postoperative recurrence rate in patients in the intervention group was significantly lower than in the control group,1 patient with recurrence in the intervention group and 7 patients in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =3.425,P ＜ 0.05).There were statistically significant difference between the two groups of patients in the life quality score at 6 months after operation and the treatment adherence score at one year after operation (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The implementation of continued nursing support can promote early recovery of physical function in patients,reduce the recurrence rate,improve the quality of life of postoperative patients,and increase the effect of surgical treatment,which should be worthy of clinical promotion and application.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of beta1-integrin, fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LN) on the invasive behavior of human gliomas.

METHODSFunctional impacts of beta1-integrin, fibronectin and laminin on cell adhesion, migration and metastasis of U251 malignant glioblastoma cells were investigated by in vitro adhesion, migration and invasion assays. The amount and distributions of cellular microfilaments and pseudopodia were studied by fluorescent cytochemistry, confocal laser scanning microscope and scanning electron microscope. Lastly, beta1-integrin, fibronectin and laminin were investigated for their roles in cellular microfilament skeleton.

RESULTS(1) Fibronectin did not affect cell adhesion of U251MG cells, but anti-beta1 integrin antibodies inhibited cell adhesion (P < 0.01); Laminin stimulated cell adhesion of U251MG cells (P < 0.01) but anti-beta1 integrin antibodies had little effect on the laminin-mediated cell adhesion. (2) The migration of U251MG cells on dishes coated with FN was inhibited by anti-beta1 integrin antibodies (P < 0.05). (3) F-actins formed strong and dense stress fibers in U251MG cells on dishes coated with FN and LN. Anti-beta1 integrin antibodies disrupted the microfilament network and F-actin aggregation. (4) FN and LN increased the number of pseudopodia on cell surface, whereas anti-beta1 integrin antibodies reversed this function. (5) FN and anti-beta1 integrin antibodies had little effects on the invasive ability of U251MG cells in vitro. The invasion was increased by LN, but inhibited by anti-beta1 integrin antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS(1) The interaction between beta1-integrin, FN may stimulate U251MG cell migration via changing the structures of microfilament skeleton and the number of pseudopodia. (2) beta1-integrin may play a role in the LN-mediated in vitro invasion of U251MG cells.

Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Fibronectins ; pharmacology ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Glioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Integrin beta1 ; pharmacology ; Laminin ; pharmacology ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Neoplasm Invasiveness

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of the Chk1 gene in human sperm and its clinical significance.

METHODSWe collected 80 semen samples and divided them into 4 groups of equal number: normal, oligospermia, asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia. The Chk1 expression and its relative level were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR, sperm DNA damage and gradient changes assessed by DNA ladder analysis, and sperm apoptosis determined by Annexin V/PI double staining in each group.

RESULTSThe Chk1 gene was expressed in all the four groups, but with significant differences (P < 0.01); the relative levels of CHK1 protein were similar to those of Chk1 mRNA in the normal, oligospermia, asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia groups, which were 1.00 +/- 0.22, 0.76 +/- 0.10, 0.45 +/- 0.08 and 0.37 +/- 0.07, respectively. DNA ladder analysis showed a marked DNA ladder in the asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia groups. Sperm apoptosis was markedly increased in the oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia and 100% graded sperm groups ([ 8.3 +/- 0.60]%, [11.6 +/- 0.92]%, [12.5 +/- 1.43]% and [17.0 +/- 1.98]%), as compared with the normal group ([7.6 +/- 0.34]%) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChk1 is expressed in human sperm, but differently in different semen quality groups. And its expression is correlated with sperm DNA damage and apoptosis; its reduction may lead to declined sperm repair and increased sperm apoptosis and thus affect semen quality.

Apoptosis ; Checkpoint Kinase 1 ; DNA Damage ; Humans ; Male ; Protein Kinases ; genetics ; Semen Analysis ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Tadalafil combined with behavior therapy in helping obtain semen from infertile men in whom masturbation has failed.

METHODSSixty male infertile patients from whom masturbation had failed to obtain semen were equally assigned to receive Tadalafil combined with behavior therapy (combination group) or Tadalafil only (control group). All the patients took Tadalafil 20 mg orally the night before the day of semen collection by masturbation. Before this procedure, the patients of the combination group practiced masturbation 16 - 24 times at home.

RESULTSThe average ages of the patients were (37.0 +/- 5.1) yr and (37.5 +/- 5.2) yr and their IIEF-5 scores were 16.50 +/- 1.25 and 16.90 +/- 1.09 in the combination and the control group, respectively, neither with statistically significant difference between the two groups. Semen was successfully obtained from 9 patients (30.0%) of the combination group and 1 patient (3.33%) of the control group, with statistically significant difference between the two groups (chi2 = 7.680, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBy training the patients and establishing a conditioned response to masturbation, Tadalafil combined with behavior therapy can significantly increase the success rate of semen collection from the male infertile patients in whom masturbation fails.

Adult ; Behavior Therapy ; Carbolines ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Masturbation ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Semen ; Tadalafil ; Treatment Failure ; Treatment Outcome