OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical value of Paroxetine combined with mid-frequency electrical pulse acupoint stimulation (EPAS) in the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE).

METHODSTotally 69 PE patients were equally assigned to receive oral Paroxetine 20 mg/d, mid-frequency EPAS, or oral Paroxetine 10 mg/d combined with mid-frequency EPAS (P + EPAS) , all for 8 weeks. We obtained the intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) and Chinese Index of Premature Ejaculation (CIPE-5) scores of the patients before and after treatment, and compared adverse reactions among the three groups of patients.

RESULTSOne patient of the Paroxetine group gave up treatment because of abdominal pain and nausea. Compared with the baseline, the patients in the Paroxetine, EPAS, and P + EPAS groups all showed markedly increased IELT ([0.92 ± 0.11] vs [4.07 ± 0.11] min, P < 0.01; [0.92 ± 0.12] VS [2.78 ± 0.17] min P < 0.05; [0.91 ± 0.09] vs [5.31 ± 0.13], P < 0.01) and decreased CIPE-5 scores (12.5 ± 3.0 vs 22.0 ± 2.1, P < 0.01; 12.8 ± 2.9 vs 19.5 ± 1.9, P > 0.05; 13.1 ± 2.8 vs 25.2 ± 2.1, P 0.01), with statistically significant differences between the P + EPAS group and the other two (P < 0.05). The total effectiveness rate was 95.7% in the P + EPAS group, remarkably higher than in the Paroxetine (72.7%, P < 0.05) and the EPAS group (47.8, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOral Paroxetine combined with mid-frequency EPAS has a higher safety and efficacy than either Paroxetine or EPAS alone in the treatment of PE.

Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; methods ; Ejaculation ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Paroxetine ; therapeutic use ; Premature Ejaculation ; therapy ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of the magnetic c-erbB-2 antisense probe of different concentrations on the morphology and expression of SK-Br-3 cancer cells in vitro.

METHODSBreast cancer SK-Br-3 cells were transfected for 24 h by antisense probe at an iron concentration of 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L, respectively. The distribution and content of iron particles in SK-Br-3 cells was determined by Prussian blue staining, electron microscopy, and atomic absorption spectrometry. Cell viability was observed by trypan-blue exclusion and CCK-8 test. The protein expression of c-erbB-2 was assessed by the Western blot analysis. The changes of the signal strength were considered by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

RESULTSc-erbB-2 antisense probe was uptake by SK-Br-3 cells in a concentration-dependence manner within a certain range (5, 10, and the Medicine Scientific Research Project of Chongqing Health Bureau (062025)25 mg/L). When the probe concentration was 25 mg/L, iron content in cells was (18.38±0.28) pg, the cell vitality, survival, and c-erbB-2 protein expression were reduced significantly (all P<0.05), and the T2 value was lower significantly (P<0.05). However, the results of 50 mg/L or 100 mg/L group showed no significant difference with the 25 mg/L group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe magnetic c-erbB-2 antisense probe can effectively transfect and specifically inhibit the expression of SK-Br-3 cell lines at the iron concentration of 25 mg/L.

Antisense Elements (Genetics) ; genetics ; Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Magnetics ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo observe the improvement effects of puerarin on glycated brain damages in rat model induced by D-galactose.

METHODThe model rats of protein glycation were induced by intraperitoneal administration of D-galactose (150 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for 8 weeks, and all rats were treated with puerarin (high dose 300 mg x kg(-1), middle dose 150 mg x kg(-1), low dose 75 mg x kg(-1)) for 6 weeks. The activity of aldose reductase in red blood cells, the amount of glycated products (fructosamine in serum, glycohaemoglobin, advanced glycation end-products) and AGEs in brain tissue, calcium ion in brain cells were measured. Moreover, mitochondria in brain hippocampus cells were observed under electronic microscope.

RESULTHigh dose and middle dose of puerarin can decrease the activity of aldose reductase in red blood cells (P < 0.01), and inhibit the formation of glycation products significantly in model rats induced by D-galactose (P < 0.01). Also, puerarin can decrease the content of AGEs in brain and the level of calcium ions in brain cells (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and decrease lesions degree in mitochondria in brain hippocampus cells.

CONCLUSIONPuerarin can produce the protective effects on glycated brain damages through inhibiting the glycation reaction in rats induced by D-galactose.

Aldehyde Reductase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Erythrocytes ; enzymology ; Female ; Fructosamine ; blood ; Galactose ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; metabolism ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; ultrastructure ; Isoflavones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mitochondria ; ultrastructure ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo find out potential molecular targets for gallbladder carcinoma diagnosis and treatment by analyzing and comparing the proteins expressed in human gallbladder carcinoma tissue and benign gallbladder tissue.

METHODSProteomic analysis of 6 human gallbladder carcinoma tissues and 6 benign gallbladder tissues was carried out. Total proteins of the carcinoma tissue and benign gallbladder tissue were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The differentially expressed proteins were analyzed and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of PEBP1 protein in an independent series of samples.

RESULTSProtein extracts of individual samples in each type of tissues were separated on two-dimensional gels. There were forty six differentially expressed proteins in the gallbladder carcinom tissues. Seventeen proteins were successfully identified by MS, in which nine proteins were overexpressed in tumors while the other eight proteins were underexpressed. The increased level of PEBP1 protein in gallbladder carcinoma was further confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis.

CONCLUSIONSeventeen differentially expressed proteins were successfully characterized by comparative proteomic analysis. Those results may provide scientific foundation for screening the molecular biomarkers which can be used in diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder carcinoma, as well as to improve its prognosis and provide a new clue for carcinogenesis research of gallbladder carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gallstones ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Middle Aged ; Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

BACKGROUNDResection of sacral chordomas is challenging. The anatomy is complex, and there are often no bony landmarks to guide the resection. Achieving adequate surgical margins is, therefore, difficult, and the recurrence rate is high. Use of computer navigation may allow optimal preoperative planning and improve precision in tumor resection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of computer navigation-aided resection of sacral chordomas.

METHODSBetween 2007 and 2013, a total of 26 patients with sacral chordoma underwent computer navigation-aided surgery were included and followed for a minimum of 18 months. There were 21 primary cases and 5 recurrent cases, with a mean age of 55.8 years old (range: 35-84 years old). Tumors were located above the level of the S3 neural foramen in 23 patients and below the level of the S3 neural foramen in 3 patients. Three-dimensional images were reconstructed with a computed tomography-based navigation system combined with the magnetic resonance images using the navigation software. Tumors were resected via a posterior approach assisted by the computer navigation. Mean follow-up was 38.6 months (range: 18-84 months).

RESULTSMean operative time was 307 min. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 3065 ml. For computer navigation, the mean registration deviation during surgery was 1.7 mm. There were 18 wide resections, 4 marginal resections, and 4 intralesional resections. All patients were alive at the final follow-up, with 2 (7.7%) exhibiting tumor recurrence. The other 24 patients were tumor-free. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score was 27.3 (range: 19-30).

CONCLUSIONSComputer-assisted navigation can be safely applied to the resection of the sacral chordomas, allowing execution of preoperative plans, and achieving good oncological outcomes. Nevertheless, this needs to be accomplished by surgeons with adequate experience and skill.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chordoma ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sacrum ; surgery ; Spinal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the potential molecular targets for diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder cancer by analyzing and comparing the proteomes expressed in human gallbladder cancer and benign gallbladder tissues.

METHODSThe proteins expressed were analyzed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The differentially expressed proteins in tumors were also analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). AnnexinA3 expression was examined by streptavidin peroxidase immunohistochemical technique on paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 50 patients of gallbladder cancer and 38 cases of chronic eholecystitis.

RESULTSProtein extracts of individual sample in each type of tissues were separated on two-dimensional gels. There were forty six differentially expressed proteins in the tissue samples of gallbladder cancer. Seventeen proteins were successfully identified by MS, in which nine proteins were overexpressed in tumors and the other eight proteins were underexpressed. The positive expression rates of annexinA3 in gallbladder cancer was significantly higher than that in chronic cholecystitis, and the difference was statistically significant (74.0% vs 21.1%, P < 0.01). In the gallbladder cancer, no correlation was obtained between annexinA3 and age, gender or histologicl type (P > 0.05), but overexpression of annexinA3 correlated significantly with those cases with a lower histological grading (40.0% vs 82.5%, P < 0.05); lymph node or distant metastasis (40.9% vs 100%, P < 0.05); or a shorter survival time after operation (50.0% vs 93.8%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSignificant discrepancies in protein expression exist among gallbladder cancer and benign gallbladder tissues. AnnexinA3 plays an important role in the initiation and progression of human gallbladder cancer.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Annexin A3 ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cholecystitis ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Female ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Proteome ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; Survival Rate

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of finger reconstruction in child with second toe transplantation,and evaluate the postoperative appearance and function regarding the reconstructed donor feet.Methods From June 2002 to May 2011,sixteen cases were reconstructed in sub-emergency with second toe transplantation.Two thumbs,eight index fingers,and 6 middle fingers were reconstructed.All patients were followed-up from 12 to 24 months.The functions of reconstructed fingers were analysed.Results All the reconstructed fingers survived.Vascular crisis occurred in 1 patient,and survived after re-anastomosis.Necrosis of skin grafts at the domon site with exposed tedons was seen in 1 ease,and healed after changing dressings.All the reconstructed fingers showed good in growth and development,and performed good functions as grabbing,grasping and nipping.Two-point discrimination was between 6 mm and 10 mm.The donor site of the foot had normal gait,without obvious influence on walking.Also,no pain was complained.Conclusion The method of transplanting the second toe can reconstruct the appearance and function of the finger defects in child,and has little effect on the appearance and motion of feet.It is an effective treatment method.

OBJECTIVETo compare the complications of direct and antirefluxing techniques of ureterointestinal anastomosis in continent urinary diversion.

METHODSSixty-three patients underwent continent urinary diversion. Twenty-four patients were treated by the direct ureteroenteric anastomosis and the others treated by the antirefluxing technique. The follow up studies included following-up the information of ureteric stricture, ureteric reflux, renal function and acute urinary infection. It was assessed for 3 months to 6 years with a mean follow up of 26 months after operation.

RESULTSOf 78 ureters reimplanted using antirefluxing technique. A total of 12 ureters had anastomotic stricture formation postoperatively. Only one of 48 ureters reimplanted using direct anastomoses had anastomotic stricture. The difference between the direct and antirefluxing technique groups was remarkable (chi2 = 4.375, P < 0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the direct and antirefluxing technique groups in regard to ureteric reflux, renal function and acute urinary infection.

CONCLUSIONSAntirefluxing anastomoses resulted in obviously higher rate of ureterointestinal anastomotic stricture in comparison with the direct anastomosis. The direct ureteroenteric anastomosis may be the suitable choice for patients undergoing continent urinary diversion.

Adult ; Aged ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intestines ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureter ; surgery ; Urinary Diversion ; methods

OBJECTIVESTo discuss and evaluate the selection of surgical procedure for the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis according to the location and degree of the deformity.

METHODS175 patients with idiopathic scoliosis underwent surgical treatment with correction and fusion. The patients were divided into four groups according to the location and degree of the deformity and four different procedures were used for each group. For each group, the blood loss, surgery time, correction rate, loss of correction at final follow up and complications were compared and analyzed.

RESULTSAll patients underwent surgery safely and no neurological complication occurred. The correction rate was 81% for Group I, 86% for Group II, 68% for Group III and 72% for Group IV. All patients were followed up at least 2 years and the average time was 38 months (24 approximately 52).

CONCLUSIONProper selection of surgical procedure according to the location and degree of the scoliotic deformity, satisfactory results can be achieved in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To understand the relationships of daily average temperature and relative humidity with outpatient visit frequency of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and whether temperature and relative humidity have a lag effect. METHODS: The effects of daily average temperature, relative humidity, and their interaction in Lanzhou between January 2013 and December 2017 on the outpatient visit frequency of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were analyzed using Poisson generalized linear regression model combined with distributed lag non-linear model. RESULTS: There was a non-linear relationship between the daily average temperature and the outpatient visit frequency of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Between -12 °C and -8 °C, the outpatient visit frequency increased gradually with the decrease of the daily average temperature, and the outpatient visit frequency of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients increased by 11.60% per 1 °C of temperature drop. The daily average relative humidity also presented a non-linear effect on the outpatient visit frequency chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. When the daily average relative humidity was in the range of 15%-28%, the outpatient visit frequency increased gradually with the decrease of relative humidity, and the outpatient visit frequency of COPD patients increased by 37.05% for every 1% decrease of relative humidity. A synergistic effect was found between air temperature and relative humidity on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, that is, under different relative humidity, the effect of air temperature was different. When the daily average relative humidity ≤ 50% and the daily average temperature≤11 °C, the effect of air temperature was the most obvious. For every 1 °C drop in temperature, the daily out-patient visit frequency of the whole population increased by 12.68% (5.62% in males and 7.56% in females; 5.24% in population < 65 years and 14.74% in population ≥ 65 years). When the daily average relative humidity > 50% and the daily average temperature ≤ 11 °C, the daily outpatient visit frequency of the whole population increased by 9.00% for every 1 °C drop in temperature (< 65 years, 7.11%; ≥65 years, 10.93%). When the daily average temperature > 11 °C, the temperature had no effect on the daily outpatient visit frequency of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients under different relative humidity. CONCLUSION The presence of a certain extent of interaction is observed between daily average temperature and relative humidity. Low-temperature and dry environment (relative humidity ≤50%, temperature ≤11 °C) as well as low-temperature and high-humidity environment (relative humidity > 50%, temperature ≤11 °C) can both increase the risk of outpatient visit in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
Aged ; Air Pollution ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Humidity ; Male ; Outpatients ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Temperature