OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors 1-3 (S1P1- 3) in the corpus cavernosum of castrated male rats and its relationship with the NOS/NO/cGMP and RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathways.

METHODSWe equally randomized 18 eight-week-old healthy male SD rats into a sham-operation control, a castration, and a testosterone replacement (TR) group and harvested the bilateral testes and epididymides from the rats in the latter two groups, followed by 4 weeks of subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate at 3 mg per kilogram of the body weight per day for those in the TR group and that of plant oil for those in the control and castration groups. At the age of 12 weeks, we measured the serum testosterone (T) level and maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICPmax/MAP) of the animals and determined the expressions of SlP1-3, eNOS, P-eNOS, ROCK1, and ROCK2 in the corpus cavernosum by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe serum T level was significantly decreased in the rats of the castration group as compared with those of the control and TR groups ([0.41 ± 0.04] vs [16.01 ± 1.02] and [15.84 ± 1.32] nmol/L, P < 0.01), with no statistically significant difference between the latter two groups. The ICPmax/MAP at 0 V, 3 V, and 5 V electric stimulation was remarkably lower in the rats of the castration group (0.088 ± 0.014, 0.323 ± 0.014, and 0.432 ± 0.012) than in those of the control group (0.155 ± 0.011, 0.711 ± 0. 010, and 0.819 ± 0.024) and TR group (0.153 ± 0.012, 0.696 ± 0.017, and 0.763 ± 0.027) (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the latter two groups. With GAPDH as internal control, the animals of the castration group showed markedly reduced expressions of S1P1 ([49.99 ± 3.39]%), eNOS ([46.82 ± 3.81]%) , and P-eNOS ([45.42 ± 4.35]%) in comparison with those in the control group ([72.57 ± 3.06], [89.76 ± 3.98], and [82.53 ± 8.92] and TR group ([71.77 ± 4.43], [87.19 ± 4.23], and [79.82 ± 7.38]%) (P < 0.01) , while the expressions of S1P2, S1P3, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were significantly upregulated in the castration group ([82.35 ± 4.13], [61.03 ± 5.14], [74.50 ± 4.02], and [69.83 ± 5.75]%) as compared with those in the control group ([41.67 ± 1.68], [31.66 ± 2.67], [35.69 ± 5.56], and [39.85 ± 7.17]%) and TR group ([42.80 ± 3.87], [32.25 ± 4.22], 38.06 ± 5.21], and [42.36 ± 4.44]%) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAndrogen deficiency induces significant reduction of ICPmax/ MAP in male rats, which is possibly associated with the decline of S1P1 in the corpus cavernosum, inhibition of the eNOS/NO/cGMP signaling pathway, increased expressions of S1P2 and S1P3, and activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway.

Animals ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Orchiectomy ; Penis ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood ; pharmacology ; rho-Associated Kinases ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for syphilis seroconversion amomg drug addicts during methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).Methods A retrospective study was performed on drug addicts receiving MMT at MMT clinics in Maanshan,who were seronegative for syphilis before the treatment and followed up by serological tests for syphilis for more than two years.The incidence of and risk factors for syphilis seroconversion during the two years of follow up were analyzed in all the subjects.Results A total of 161 drug addicts were included in this study,of whom,15 experienced seroconversion for syphilis with the average seroconversion rate being 4.66 per 100 person-years.The seroconversion tended to occurr in the early stage of MMT.Both Chi-square analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that syphilis seroconversion was independently associated with nonuse of condoms during the last sexual behavior before receiving MMT.Conclusions Interventions should be undertaken as early as possible to promote safe sexual behaviors among drug addicts at methadone clinics,and to promote condom use is especially important for blocking sexual transmission of diseases.

OBJECTIVE:To study the targeting of folic acid(FA)-modified docetaxel(DOC)nano-liposome(L-DOC-FA)to hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402 cells in vivo and in vitro. METHODS:The cell viability and survival rate of Bel-7402 cells was tested by CCK-8 kit after treated with 0,1,2,5,10 and 20 μg/ml DOC,L-DOC and L-DOC-FA for 24 h. And then,the fluores-cein isothiocyanate was used to label L-DOC and L-DOC-FA nano-liposome,and the rate of L-DOC and L-DOC-FA absorbed by hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402 cells were detected. 125I was used to label L-DOC and L-DOC-FA nano-liposome,and then the contents of them in the subcutaneous tumor tissues were detected. 28 Balb/c naked mice were selected and given liver cell suspen-sion via back ih to induce tumor model. After modeling,naked mice were divided into blank control group(normal saline),DOC group(3 mg/kg),L-DOC(3 mg/kg,by DOC)and L-DOC-FA(3 mg/kg,by DOC). They were given relevant medicine intrave-nously once a day for consecutive 30 d. The relative tumor volume in naked mice was detected. RESULTS:DOC,L-DOC and L-DOC-FA all inhibited the cell viability of Bel-7402 cells,the survival rate of cells decreased in concentration-dependant manner;compared with DOC and L-DOC,the cell viability decreased after treated with L-DOC-FA,the survival rate of cells decreased (P<0.01). The rate of L-DOC and L-DOC-FA absorbed by Bel-7402 cells in descending order as L-DOC-FA(69.5%)>L-DOC (31.2%),with statistical significance (P<0.01). The content of L-DOC-FA in tumor was significantly more than that of L-DOC (P<0.01). In addition,3 mg/kg L-DOC-FA showed better inhibitory effect than 3 mg/kg L-DOC and DOC on tumor,and the rela-tive tumor volume was smaller(P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:L-DOC-FA has obvious targeting to Bel-7402 cells in vivo and in vi-tro,and shows good inhibitory effect on tumor in vivo and in vitro.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Melanoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; diagnosis ; pathology

Anemia ; chemically induced ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pyrophosphatases ; genetics ; Ribavirin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; adverse effects ; methods ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Hematoma ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Thyroid Nodule ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective To clarify the human and animals brucellosis epidemic trends of ABa Prefectufe of Sichuan Province during 2000-2007,to strengthen the prevention and control and determine the strategy for its prevention and cure of brucellosis.Methods According to the National Surveillance of Brucella Document,serology[tube agglutination test(SAT)and plate agglutination test(PAT)]method was used to test the key people,SAT and rose Bengal plate test(RBPF)method to test the yaks and sheep in monitoring sites.Results There were 2 new human brucellosis during 2000-2007.Two thousand and eighty-eight human blood serum were detected.36 people were serohlogie positive,the detection rate was 1.72%(36/2088);the highest rate was in 2003.up to 2.65%(9/339).One hundred and eighty-two thousand,nine hundred and sixty-four cattle and sheep were quarantined.7368 were serologic positive,the detection rate was 4.03%(7368/182 964),4.16%(4844/116 356)for vak and 3.79%(2524/66 608)for sheep;the highest rate being 5.74%(195/3396)in 2001.Conclusions These general trends of human brucellosis is stable,while animals brucellosis has increased in ABa prefecture during 2000-2007.Effective prevention and cure should be adopted to prevent its outbreak.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, S-methyl thiocarbamate (SMT), on proteoglycan metabolism in repaired articular cartilage in rabbits.

METHODSTwenty-four male New Zealand white rabbits, aged 8 months and weighing 2.5 kg+/-0.2 kg, were used in this study. Cartilage defects in full thickness were created on the intercondylar articular surface of bilateral femurs of all the rabbits. Then the rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=8 in each group). The defects in one group were filled with fibrin glue impregnated with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2, BMP group), in one group with fibrin glue impregnated with rhBMP-2 and hypodermic injection with SMT (SMT group) and in the other group with nothing (control group). All the animals were killed at one year postoperatively. The tissue sections were stained with safranine O-fast green and analyzed by Quantiment 500 system to determine the content of glycosaminoglycan through measuring the percentage of safranine O-stained area, the thickness of cartilages and the mean gray scale (average stain intensity). Radiolabelled sodium sulphate (Na(2)(35)SO(4)) was used to assess the proteoglycan synthesis.

RESULTSAt one year postoperatively, the percentage of safranine O-stained area, the mean gray scale and the cartilage thickness of the repaired tissues in SMT group were significantly higher than those of BMP group (P<0.01) and the control group (P<0.05). Result of incorporation of Na(2)(35)SO(4) showed that the proteoglycan synthesis in SMT group was higher than those of BMP group and the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSMT, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, can significantly increase the content of glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan synthesis, and computer-based image analysis is a reliable method for evaluating proteoglycan metabolism.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Biopsy, Needle ; Cartilage Diseases ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cartilage, Articular ; drug effects ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Immunohistochemistry ; Isothiuronium ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Probability ; Proteoglycans ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Reference Values ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To investigate the prevalence and determinants of depressive symptoms among ‘empty-nest' and ‘non-empty-nest' elderly in four cities/provinces.Methods 4265 elderly aged 60 and over,were recruited with cluster sampling method in Shanghai,Heilongjiang,Guangdong and Shanxi province and interviewed,using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule and self-developed related questionnaire.Results ( 1 ) The prevalence of depressive symptoms for ‘empty-nest' elderly was (8.18％),significantly higher than that for ‘non-empty-nest' eldcrly (P=0.019) ; (2) the ‘empty-nest' elderly had a significantly higher proportion of the following factors:being male,married,with higher income ( ≥ 15 000 Yuan/year),living in city,with high education background,under employment etc.than the ‘non-empty-nest' elderly (P＜0.0001) ; (3)the ‘empty-nest' elderly had significantly higher proportions on good self-rated health status and life (P=0.0001,P＜0.0001 ) as well as heavier health problems and economic difficulties (P=0.00 1,P=0.002 ) ; (4) there were significantly negative associations between depressive symptoms and the following 10 factors:being female,single,having bad self-rated health and life status,having somatic disease ≥3,with big health problems in the last two years and loss of dearest persons,community engagement and involvement of religious activities.Conclusion The ‘empty-nest' elderly showed higher prevalence of having depressive symptoms than the ‘non-empty-nest' elderly.The ‘empty-nest' elderly had characteristics as being single,female,having adverse event etc.and should be under greater attention for care.

OBJECTIVETo determine the associations of socio-economic and psychosocial factors with active and passive smoking in older adults.

METHODSUsing a standard interview method, we examined random samples of 6071 people aged⋝60 years in 5 provinces of China during 2007-2009.

RESULTSWorld age-standardised prevalence for current and former smoking in men was 45.6% and 20.5%, and in women 11.1% and 4.5%. Current smoking reduced with older age but increased with men, low socioeconomic status (SES), alcohol drinking, being never-married, pessimistic and depressive syndromes. Former smoking was associated with men, secondary school education, a middle-high income, being a businessman, being widowed, less frequencies of visiting children/relatives and friends, and worrying about children. Among 3774 never-smokers, the prevalence of passive smoking was 31.5%, and the risk increased with women, low SES, alcohol drinking, being married, having a religious believe, and daily visiting children/relatives. There were sex differences in the associations, and an interaction effect of education and income on smoking and passive smoking.

CONCLUSIONOlder Chinese had a higher level of smoking and passive smoking than those in high income countries, reflecting China's failures in controlling smoking. The associations with low SES and different psychosocial aspects and sex differences suggest preventative strategies for active and passive smoking.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Smoking ; economics ; psychology ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; economics