OBJECTIVETo investigate the penile erectile function of hospitalized male patients with cardiovascular diseases, the incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in this cohort, and the relationship of ED with cardiovascular diseases and its risk factors.

METHODSUsing a self-designed questionnaire, we conducted an investigation among the hospitalized patients in the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases of the First and Second Affiliated Hospitals of Xi'an Jiaotong University. We measured their body height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, and blood pressure, obtained their personal data, past history, metabolic indexes, and erectile function scores by IIEF-5, and analyzed the risk factors of ED using univariate and multivariate logistic regression and OR analyses.

RESULTSTotally, 225 valid questionnaires were included in this investigation, which showed a 66.7% incidence of ED, 15.8% mild, 27.0% mild to moderate, 17.6% moderate, and 6.3% severe. The incident rates of ED in the 18-35 yr, 36-49 yr, 50-65 yr, and > 65 yr age groups were 13.6%, 39.1%, 89.2%, and 91.2%, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis manifested that the risk factors of ED in the patients with cardiovascular diseases included age (OR = 3.122, 95% CI 2.040-4.779), smoking (OR = 1.768, 95% CI 1.209-2.584), BMI (OR = 1.261, 95% CI 1.114-1.427), total cholesterol (OR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.339-2.340), TC/HDL (OR =1.715, 95% CI 1.349-2.181), hypertension (OR = 1.717, 95% CI 1.110-2.658), and coronary heart disease (OR = 2.235, 95% CI 1.169-4.275), while multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the risk factors to be age (OR = 4.99, 95% CI 2.264-10.998), financial condition, (OR = 2.804, 95% CI 1.127-6.976), smoking (OR = 2.109, 95% CI 1.179-3.772), BMI (OR = 1.414, 95% CI 1.136-1.760), and TC/HDL (OR = 2.001, 95% CI 1.016-3.943).

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of ED is high in hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases and rises with the increase of age. Age, smoking, financial condition, BMI, and TC/HDL are the risk factors of both ED and cardiovascular diseases, and financial condition is closely associated with ED.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; complications ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; Imidazoles ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyrimidines ; Regression Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Waist Circumference ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the clinical effects and treatment of thyroid dysfunction induced by PegIFNα-2a therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods 95 patients with chronic hepatitis B received PegIFNα-2a from 2007-2011were selected. Analyzed the clinical manifestations,laboratory results,treatment and clinical outcome of the patients who had thyroid dysfunction induced by PegIFNα-2a therapy.Results During the treatment of PegIFNα-2a,10 patients ( 10/95,10.53％ ) had thyroid dysfunction,in which 4 were of hyperthyroidism and 6 were of hypothyroidism.After appropriate treatment,all the patients who had thyroid dysfunction had satisfactory outcome.Conclusions PegIFNα-2a therapy may induce thyroid dysfunction.Monitor thyroid function regular and have active treatment ensure the interferon therapy to continue.With the end of the interferon therapy,thyroid function can be back to normal.

The rol genes on pRiA4 plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes are potent genes that promote secondary metabolism. Molecular breeding of Atropa belladonna can be conducted by introducing rol genes to increase tropane alkaloids (TAs) content in A. belladonna. In this study, the rolB gene was overexpressed in A. belladonna plants to study the effect of rolB gene on the biosynthesis of TAs. The phenotype, TAs content and expression levels of key enzyme genes in the pathway of TAs biosynthesis of transgenic A. belladonna were analyzed. The results showed that transgenic A. belladonna had developed root system, enlarged leaves, increased leaf fresh weight, deepened leaf color, enlarged flowers, changed flower shape, reduced pistil height and decreased pollen vitality. The content of TAs in the stems of transgenic A. belladonna was significantly higher than that of the control, and the contents of scopolamine, anisodamine, hyoscyamine can reach 2.11-2.91, 1.23-2.37 and 4.88-5.20 times of the control, respectively. Compared with the control group, the expressions of key enzymes putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT), type III polyketide synthase (PYKS), tropinone reductase I (TRI), aromatic amino acid aminotransferase 4 (ArAT4), UDP-glycosyltransferase 1 (UGT1) and hyoscyamine 6-β-hydroxylase (H6H) in the TAs biosynthesis pathway were up-regulated, and the expression of tropinone reductase II (TRII) as a metabolic shunting gene was down-regulated. The results indicated that rolB gene enhanced TAs synthesis ability in roots and accumulation in stems of A. belladonna by enhancing metabolic flow of TAs synthesis pathway and weakening the metabolic shunt of competing pathway. This study laid a foundation for molecular breeding of A. belladonna with high-yield TAs content using rolB gene.

OBJECTIVETo enlarge the ratio of length to width of a prefabricated random skin flap in a short period, in order to meet a special clinical need.

METHODSA white rat and a white mini-pig was chosen for an animal model for the experiment. They were divided into the experimental group and the control. The prefabricated flap was formed as the planned design. In the experimental group, the flaps were treated with a desired pressure in certain intervals at the planned part of the flap. We estimated and inspected the digitized perfusion of flap microcirculation, and made overcong and wide random skin flap survive within 24 hours, and this technique was finally used for the clinical wound treatment.

RESULTSAs expected, the survival area of the flap in the experimental group was significantly larger than the control. This technique was successfully used to repair the defects of the special sites in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

CONCLUSIONThe method of quickly prefabricated random flap could enlarge the ratio of length to width of the flap and put the flap in shape in short time. With the digitized estimating and inspecting, this method could obviously improve the survival area of the random flap and could also be very useful for the clinical treatment.

Adult ; Animals ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin ; metabolism ; pathology ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; supply & distribution ; Time Factors ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Treatment Outcome

Background:Surgical treatment of both-column acetabular fractures is challenging because of the complex acetabular fracture patterns and the curved surface of the acetabulum.Seldom study has compared the application of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology and traditional methods of contouring plates intra-operatively for the surgical treatment of both-column acetabular fractures.We presented the use of both 3D printing technology and a virtual simulation in pre-operative planning for both-column acetabular fractures.We hypothesized that 3D printing technology will assist orthopedic surgeons in shortening the surgical time and improving the clinical outcomes.Methods:Forty patients with both-column acetabular fractures were recruited in the randomized prospective case-control study from September 2013 to September 2017 for this prospective study (No.ChiCTR1900028230).We allocated the patients to two groups using block randomization (3D printing group,n =20;conventional method group,n =20).For the 3D printing group,1:1 scaled pelvic models were created using 3D printing,and the plates were pre-contoured according to the pelvic models.The plates for the conventional method group were contoured during the operation without 3D printed pelvic models.The operation time,instrumentation time,time of intra-operative fluoroscopy,blood loss,number of times the approach was performed,blood transfusion,post-operative fracture reduction quality,hip joint function,and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups.Results:The operation and instrumentation times in the 3D printing group were significantly shorter (130.8 ± 29.2 min,t =-7.5,P ＜ 0.001 and 32.1 ± 9.5 min,t =-6.5,P ＜ 0.001,respectively) than those in the conventional method group.The amount of blood loss and blood transfusion in the 3D printing group were significandy lower (500 [400,800] mL,Mann-Whitney U=74.5,P ＜ 0.001 and 0 [0,400] mL,Mann-Whitney U =59.5,P ＜ 0.001,respectively) than those in the conventional method group.The number of the approach performed in the 3D printing group was significantly smaller than that in the conventional method group (pararectus + Kocher-Langenbeck [K-L] approach rate:35％ vs.85％;X2 =10.4,P ＜ 0.05).The time of intra-operative fluoroscopy in the 3D printing group was significantly shorter than that in the conventional method group (4.2 ± 1.8 vs.7.7 ± 2.6 s;t =-5.0,P ＜ 0.001).The post-operative fracture reduction quality in the 3D printing group was significantly better than that in the conventional method group (good reduction rate:80％ vs.30％;X2 =10.1,P ＜ 0.05).The hip joint function (based on the Harris score 1 year after the operation) in the 3D printing group was significantly better than that in the conventional method group (excellengood rate:75％ vs.30％;x2 =8.1,P ＜ 0.05).The complication was similar in both groups (5.0 ％ vs.25 ％;x2=3.1,P =0.182).Conclusions:The use of a pre-operative virtual simulation and 3D printing technology is a more effective method for treating bothcolumn acetabular fractures.This method can shorten the operation and instrumentation times,reduce Mood loss,blood transfusion and the time of intra-operative fluoroscopy,and improve the post-operative fracture reduction quality.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Ervatamia hainanensis.

METHODThe compounds were separated and purified by column chromatography with silica gel, and identified by IR, MS, NMR and 2D-NMR.

RESULTFive compounds were identified as I (isolariciresinol 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside), II (cycloartenol), III (beta-amyrin acetate), IV (beta-sitosterol), V (daucosterol), respectively.

CONCLUSIONAll the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Apocynaceae ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Phytosterols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Triterpenes

BACKGROUNDGammad-crystallin plays an important role in human cataract formation. Being highly stable, gammaD-crystallin proteins are composed of two domains. In this study we constructed and analyzed protein models of the mutant gammaD-crystallin gene, which caused a special fasciculiform congenital cataract affecting a large Chinese family.

METHODSgammaD-crystallin protein structure was predicted by Swiss-Model software using bovine gammaD-crystallin as a template and Prospect software using human betab2-crystallin as a template. The models were observed with a Swiss-Pdb viewer.

RESULTSThe mutant gammaD-crystallin structure predicted by the Swiss-Model software showed that proline23 was an exposed surface residue and P23T change made a decreased hydrogen bond distance between threonine23 and asparagine49. The mutant gammaD-crystallin structure predicted by the Prospect software showed that the P23T change exerted a significant effect on the protein's tertiary structure and yielded hydrogen bonds with aspartic acid21, asparagine24, asparagine49 and serine74.

CONCLUSIONThe mutant gammaD-crystallin gene has a significant effect on the protein's tertiary structure, supporting that alteration of gamma-crystallin plays an important role in human cataract formation.

Animals ; Cattle ; Computer Simulation ; Hydrogen Bonding ; Models, Molecular ; Mutation ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; gamma-Crystallins ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis.

METHODSForty cases of gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis were randomized into an acupuncture group and a motilium group, 20 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, on the basis of the conventional treatment, electroacupuncture was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) for 30 min, once a day. In the motilium group, on the basis of the conventional treatment, motilium was taken orally 30 min before meals, 10 mg each time, three times a day. The treatment was required for 2 weeks in both groups. The changes in the digestive tract symptom score and liver function Child-Pugh score were observed and the efficacy was assessed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of digestive tract symptoms was 85.0% (17/20) in the acupuncture group and 70.0% (14/20) in the motilium group. The score improvements in abdominal distention, belching and vomiting in the acupuncture group were superior to those in the motilium group (all P < 0.05). In the acupuncture group, the liver function Child-Pugh total score was 8.40 +/- 0.22 before treatment and reduced to 5.36 +/- 0.17 after treatment, in which the scores for ascites, serum bilirubin and albumin were all reduced (all P < 0.05) and the reducing range was increased in tendency with the improvements in digestive tract symptoms. In the motilium group, Child-Pugh score was not changed obviously as compared with that before treatment. CONCLUSION Acupuncture effectively alleviates digestive tract symptoms and improves liver function for the patients of liver cirrhosis, its efficacy on gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis is superior to motilium.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Domperidone ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics,muscle pathological features and pathogenic gene mutation in 4 cases with LMNA-related congenital muscular dystrophy (L-CMD).Methods Clinical data of the probands and the parents were collected.Skeletal muscle specimens were biopsied from the probands for pathological analysis.Genomic DNA and RNA were extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes,and PCR,reverse transcription(RT)-PCR and DNA direct sequencing were employed to analyze the LMNA gene to determine the gene mutation and confirm the pathogenicity.Results Four patients had symptoms from fetal period to several months after birth.They presented with motor retardation,muscle weakness with prominent the proximal upper limbs,distal lower limbs and neck extensor,hypotonia,contractures,with mild to moderate elevation of CK level.The muscle biopsies showed muscular dystrophic and with inflammatory changes,and the abnormal nuclear morphology was observed with transmission electron microscopy.Genetic analysis of them detected 4 dominant de novo mutations.Three of them had unreported pathogenic mutations.The same sites of the LMNA gene were wild type in their parents.Conclusions Four cases of L-CMD are genetically identified.Genetic counseling of the family can be possible.The patients should be considered LMNA gene mutation of they present themselves with muscle weakness with the proximal upper limbs,distal lower limbs and neck extensor,hypotonia,contractures,mild to moderate elevation of CK level,and if the biopsies show muscular dystrophic changes but also with inflammatory changes should be considered LMNA gene mutation.Genetic analysis is the most reliable method for diagnosing L-CMD.

OBJECTIVETo compare the advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy in patients with chronic appendicitis.

METHODSTwo hundred twenty- four patients were divided into laparoscopic group (n=98) and open appendectomy group (n=126) according to individual willing. Prospective non- randomized study was performed to compare the operative time, operative bleeding, hospitalization time, the discovery and management concerned in operation. Abdominal pain in these chronic appendicitis cases was followed up.

RESULTSThe operative time was (54.8+/-21.8) min in open group and (51.8+/-18.0) min in laparoscopic group (t=0.80,P > 0.05). The operative bleeding was (18.6+/-23.3) ml in open group and (9.8+/-4.7) ml in laparoscopic group (t=3.13, P < 0.05). The hospitalization time was (8.9+/-5.3) d in open group and (6.8+/-3.0) d in laparoscopic group (t=2.66,P < 0.05). Twenty- five cases had abdominal adhesion in laparoscopic group, including 9 cases of adhesion around appendix, 6 cases of adhesion between ileocecum and anterior or lateral abdominal wall, 4 cases of adhesion between epiploon and abdominal wall or intestines, 6 cases of adhesion around colon and others. All adhesion had been dissected. Fourteen cases adhesion around appendix had been discovered in 126 cases of open group and dissected (chi(2) =7.95,P < 0.05). In follow- up research, 24 cases still had chronic abdominal pain in 98 case of open group, and 9 cases had chronic abdominal pain in 87 of laparoscopic group, the difference was significant (chi(2)=6.29,P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe laparoscopic appendectomy possesses more advantages in treating chronic appendicitis and can decrease the incidence of chronic abdominal pain after operation.

Abdominal Pain ; etiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Appendectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Appendicitis ; surgery ; Child ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult