OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of hyperglycemia on the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) signaling pathway in rat penile tissue and its relationship with erectile function.

METHODSTwenty healthy male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into groups A (4-week healthy control), B (4-week diabetes mellitus model), C (6-week healthy control) and D (6-week diabetes mellitus model). The rats in groups B and D were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin at 50 mg/kg to induce diabetes mellitus, while those in groups A and C with the same volume of normal saline. The animals were killed at 4 (groups A and B) and 6 weeks (groups C and D) after treatment for measurement of the maximal intracavernous pressure/mean arterial blood pressure (ICP(max)/MAP) by electrostimulation, determination of the H2S concentration in the plasma and penile tissue, and detection of the expressions of cystathionine-beta-synthetase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) in the penile corpus cavernosum by immunohisto- chemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSWith electrostimulation of the pelvic ganglia at 5V and 7 V, ICP(max)/MAP was significantly reduced in groups B (0.19 +/- 0.03 and 0.29 +/- 0.04) and D (0.14 +/- 0.04 and 0.25 +/- 0.04) as compared with A (0.46 +/- 0.07 and 0.68 +/- 0.09) and C (0.43 +/- 0.07 and 0.65 +/- 0.16) (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the level of serum testosterone either between groups A and B ([469.19 +/- 126.46] ng/dl vs [359.08 +/- 60.06] ng/dl, P > 0.05) or between C and D ([470.44 +/- 209.28] ng/dl vs [297.01 +/- 96.58] ng/dl, P > 0.05). Groups B and D showed remarkable reduction in the H2S concentration (P < 0.05) and the expressions of CBS and CSE (P < 0.05) in comparison with A and C, and the CBS and CSE expressions were even more significantly decreased in D than in B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe reduced concentration of H2S and decreased expressions of CBS and CSE in the penile corpus cavernosum of the diabetic rats suggested that the H2S signaling pathway might be involved in hyperglycemia-induced erectile dysfunction.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Electric Stimulation ; methods ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; Hyperglycemia ; metabolism ; Lyases ; metabolism ; Male ; Penis ; enzymology ; physiology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Testosterone ; metabolism

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To observe the morphologic alterations of retina pigment epithelial around fluorescein leakage site using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) before and after laser coagulation.Methods Twenty-four eyes of 24 consecutive patients with unilateral acute CSC who underwent laser photocoagulation (wave length:561 nm,energy:80-100 mW,spot diamteter:100 μm,exposure time:0.1 s) were enrolled in this retrospective study.The patients included 22 males and 2 females,with an average age of (39.2± 7.2) years and an average duration of (1.1 ± 0.6) months.The fluorescein leakage outside the foveal avascular zone and serous retinal detachment were found in all the eyes by fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) and SD-OCT.Twenty-six leakage sites were observed in 24 eyes on FFA.There were 5 smoky leakage points (19.2％),21 inky leakage points (80.8 ％).The retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) layer at leakage points were scanned by SD-OCT before and at 2 weeks,2 months after treatment.SD-OCT showed that the RPE abnormalities were detected at all of the fluorescein leakage points,including serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in 16 leakage points (64.5％),protruding RPE in 5 leakage points (19.5％),and irregular RPE in 5 leakage points (19.2％).The morphologic alterations of RPE around fluorescein leakage point before and after laser coagulation were observed.Results At 2 weeks after laser photocoagulation,PED existed in 7 leakage points (26.9％),protruding RPE in 3 leakage points (11.5％),and irregular RPE in 16 leakage points (61.5％).At 2 months after laser photocoagulation,protruding RPE existed in 3 leakage points (11.5％),and irregular RPE in 5 leakage points (19.2％),including RPE defect in 2 leakage points.And there were undetectable RPE abnormalities in other 16 leakage points (61.5％).Conclusions In acute CSC,SD-OCT shows that morphologic features of the RPE layer are changed,including PED,protruding RPE,irregular RPE around the leakage point.After laser photocoagulation the abnormalities of RPE can also be altered from PED to irregular RPE,and RPE defect is observed in restricted regions.

Objective To investigate clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of multiple primary colorectal carcinoma (MPCC). Methods A retrospective analysis was made on 37 patients with MPCC admitted from 1974 to 1998. ResultsThe incidence of MPCC was 2 74%(37/1 348) with 15 cases being synchronous carcinoma (SC) and 22 cases diagnosed as metachronous carcinomas (MC). Most tumors were located in right colon and rectum. Twelve out of twenty-two (55%) of MC were diagnosed within 3 years from the primary operation and 41% (9/22) of MC occurred after 8 years. JP2Radical resections were performed in all patients except for 1 case. The 5 year survival rate of SC was 5/9 and that of MC after the first cancer or second cancer were 15/21 and 7/18, respectively. Conclusions The results indicated the importance of complete preoperative examination, careful intraoperative exploration and periodic postoperative surveillance. Early diagnosis and active radical resection can increase survival rate of MPCC.

Objective There is little population-based data on the prevalence and the environmental or genetic determinants of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in China. The purpose of this paper is to study LVH in relation to systolic blood pressure and the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion(I/D) polymorphism in Chinese. Methods We recorded 12-lead ECG (CardioSoft, v4.2) in 1365 residents in the Jingning County, Zhejiang Province, China. LVH was defined according to the gender-specific Sokolow-Lyon and Comell product ECG criteria. Results Regardless of whether the Sokolow-Lyon or Comell product ECG criteria was used, the prevalence of LVH (20.7% and 4.8%, respectively) significantly (P<0.0001) increased with male gender (odds ratio [OR] 2.33 and 7.15) and systolic blood pressure (per 10 mm Hg increase, OR 1.46 and 1.33). If the Sokolow-Lyon criteria was used, the prevalence of LVH was also influenced by alcohol intake (OR 1.44, P=0.03) and body mass index (OR 0.83, P=0.0005). The association between the Sokolow-Lyon voltage amplitude and the ACE I/D polymorphism was dependent on antihypertensive therapy (P=0.01). In 1262 untreated subjects, but not 103 patients on antihypertensive medication, the ACE DD compared with Ⅱ subjects had significantly higher Sokolow-Lyon voltage amplitudes (29.8±0.6 vs. 28.0±20.5 mV, P=0.02) and higher risk of LVH (OR 1.74, 95% CI: 1. 12-2.69, P=0.01). Conclusion LVH is prevalent in Chinese, and is associated with systolic blood pressure and the ACE D allele. The genetic association might be modulated by antihypertensive therapy.

Objective To establish a method for amplification of immature dendritic cells(DC) from murine bone marrow in vitro and investigate correlations between maturation degree of DC and varying dosages of granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF).Methods Dendritic cells from murine bone marrow were cultured with different dosages of rm GM-CSF.The suspension cells were examined with scanning electronic microscope,and the non-sensitized T lymphocyte proliferation was observed by mixed lymphocyte reaction.Results DC cultured in lower dosage of rmGM-CSF(GMlow DC) exhibited typical characteristics of DC,and had immature characteristics in cell phenotype and cell functions with high expression of CD11c and low expression of CD80,CD86 and MHC II on the surface of the cells.The ability of GmlowDC to stimulate the proliferation of non-sensitized T lymphocyte in vitro was weaker than that of GmhighDC.Conclusions The methods of immature DCs culturing establised by allthors was feasible.The dosage of rm GM-CSF has a direct relationship with the maturation degree of DC.

Objective To construct and implement the training model of eight-year medical education with characteristics of Shanghai Jiaotong University. Methods Based on survey,discussion and consultation,the experiences of long schooling medical education in Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine were summarized.Training plan and education reform scheme were established. Results Training objective,guideline and major reform measures had been clarified.The training plan and reform scheme were under process of implementation. Conclusion The training objective of eight-year medical education should be further confirmed.The curriculum should be in accordance with the training objective,and education reform is important and necessary for the eight-year medical education.

Artemisia lactiflora is an important medicinal plant in China. The antitumor and antioxidant activities of the extracts of 54 endophytic fungi from the plant were screened via MTT assay and DPPH scavenging radical assay, respectively. The bioactive strains were identified based on similarity of 5.8S gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. The results showed that extracts from ten (18.5%) isolates exhibited antitumor activity, and which from two (3.7%) isolates exhibited antioxidant activity. The Alternaria sp. GYBH47 strain was simultaneously having antagonistic activity against HL-60 leukemia, MCF-7 breast and COLO205 colon cell lines, and Phomopsis sp. GYBH42 strain having cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. The results indicated that endophytic fungi from Artemisia lactiflora are potential resources to find valuable bioactive components.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Artemisia ; microbiology ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Endophytes ; chemistry ; classification ; physiology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Fungi ; classification ; physiology ; Humans ; Picrates ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo analyze therapeutic effects of conservative treatment and the causes of malunion of intertrochanteric fracture in elderly patients, and try to find the way to deal with the problems. MethodsFifteen cases aged 75 to 101 years with intertroehanterie fracture treated conservatively were included.Their average age was 88.8 years.All fractures were classified according to Evens-Jensen.Because of the medical complication or other reasons, they were conservatively treated by methods of traction, wearing shoes et al. X-ray examination was taken at regular time and their final functions were assessed. ResultsTwo cases were died 1-3 months after admission, and the fractures were only partially healed. The remaining thirteen cases got complete healing. Among the fifteen cases, the deformity did not happen in 4 cases of IA without fixation and 1 case of IIB with bone traction. All others got the deformity of varus, shorting and external rotation in different degree, which interfered the lower extremity motor function. ConclusionsThe fracture position not kept and fixed satisfactorily during treatment would lead to more joint deformity and deteriorated hip joint function for the displaced intertroehanterie fractures in elderly patients.