BACKGROUND:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is classified into four types, and the major treatment is to tonify kidney and nourishyin, clear blood stasis and toxin by the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Even though, there are stil many patients with poor efficacy. Mesenchymal stem cels have the capacity of multiple differentiation, hematopoietic support and immune regulation, thus having been used for the treatment of refractory, recurrent SLE and achieving good effects. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cel transplantation on SLE patients with different patterns of syndromes. METHODS: Twenty-one SLE patients were clustered to four syndrome types of TCM, including heat-toxin,yin deficiency of liver and kidney,yang deficiency of spleen and kidney, andqi stagnation and blood stasis. The changes in clinical and laboratory indicators were analyzed statisticaly before and after cel transplantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The level of 24-hour proteinuria and SLE disease activity index scores in SLE patients were significantly decreased at 1, 3, 6 months after cel transplantation (P < 0.01). Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cel transplantation could significantly reduce the 24-hour proteinuria in SLE patients withyin deficiency of liver and kidney at 1, 3 and 6 months (P < 0.01), while slightly reduce the 24-hour proteinuria in SLE patients with heat-toxin andqi stagnation and blood stasis at 1, 3 months (P < 0.05) as wel as in SLE patients withyang deficiency of spleen and kidney at 1 month (P < 0.05). Additionaly, umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cel transplantation could increase the serum albumin levels in al the SLE patients (P < 0.01), although the changes in patients with heat-toxin were moderate (P < 0.05). Al the SLE patients of four types had an increasing trend of their platelet counting after cel transplantation, but there was no statistical difference before and after cel transplantation. Taken together, umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cel transplantation is effective for treatment of SLE, but has different therapeutic efficacy on SLE patients with different syndrome types of TCM.

This study was aimed to investigate the influence of coital frequency and masturbation on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Chinese patients. A total of 332 male outpatients with or without ED and volunteers were recruited from Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, China. ED was assessed by using the five-item International Index of Erectile Function scale and the frequency of intercourse by patients' self-report. After adjusting for lifestyle factors and diseases-related factors, the analyses showed that coital and masturbation in a certain frequency tended to decrease the risk of ED. Men reporting intercourse once a week had lower risk of ED than those did less than once a week, with age, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, smoking, and drinking as covariates (P=0.67, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37-1.88). For those reporting coital frequency two times per week and three or more times per week, there were 63% (adjusted OR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.18-0.77) and 85% (adjusted OR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07-0.35) lower risk of ED than those reporting intercourse frequency less than once per week, respectively (P<0.05). Results indicated that maintaining a regular frequency of intercourse can reduce the risk of ED for males aged among 30 to 75 years.

OBJECTIVETo seek a new method for reconstructing bilateral intemrnal jugular vein invaded by metastasis lymph node in advanced oral cancer patients.

METHODSA combination of microvascular anastomosis and longitudinal constriction suture venoplasty was performed to reconstruct internal jugular vein. We resected the part of the bilateral internal jugular vein of advanced oral cancer patients invaded by metastasis lymph node and used the external carotid vein to reconstruct the internal jugular vein. A part of the vessel wall of the internal jugular vein could also be resected to reconstruct the vein. Longitudinal constriction suture venoplasty could slowly narrow the lumen diameter of the internal jugular vein. Thus, difference in anastomosis diameter should be avoided because it generates eddy currents and subsequently causes blood clots. A total of five advanced cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma were involved in this study. We performed bilateral radical neck dissection on all patients to reconstruct the internal jugular vein and observed their postoperative conditions.

RESULTSPostopera-tive follow-up of 5 months to 19 months was performed on all patients. Doppler or CT angiography and related tests showed no internal jugular vein thrombosis. No patient with facial edema, throat swelling, cerebral edema, and high intracranial pressure or other serious complications caused by blocked venous blood was observed. The one-year survival rate of five patients was 60% (3/5).

CONCLUSIONMicrovascular anastomosis combined with longitudinal constriction suture venoplasty is a new method for reconstructing internal jugular vein. This method was proved successful and clinically feasible.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Constriction ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Neck Dissection ; Postoperative Period ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Sutures

This study was aimed to investigate the influence of coital frequency and masturbation on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Chinese patients. A total of 332 male outpatients with or without ED and volunteers were recruited from Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, China. ED was assessed by using the five-item International Index of Erectile Function scale and the frequency of intercourse by patients' self-report. After adjusting for lifestyle factors and diseases-related factors, the analyses showed that coital and masturbation in a certain frequency tended to decrease the risk of ED. Men reporting intercourse once a week had lower risk of ED than those did less than once a week, with age, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, smoking, and drinking as covariates (P=0.67, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37-1.88). For those reporting coital frequency two times per week and three or more times per week, there were 63% (adjusted OR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.18-0.77) and 85% (adjusted OR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07-0.35) lower risk of ED than those reporting intercourse frequency less than once per week, respectively (P<0.05). Results indicated that maintaining a regular frequency of intercourse can reduce the risk of ED for males aged among 30 to 75 years.
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Coitus ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Assessment ; Sexual Behavior ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo examine the benefits of anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps in reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects.

METHODSPatients were recruited from February 2002 to June 2013 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Central South University. All patients (1,185 patients, 1,212 transferred flaps) underwent reconstructive surgery employing anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps. Basic information for all patients including defect side, flap size and type, recipient vessel processing method, donor complications, and postoperative quality of life were recorded and statistically analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 1 212 transferred flaps, 1 176 survived and 36 showed necrosis, for a survival rate of about 97.0%. No cases presented with local serious complications, and 90% of patients achieved good functional recovery and aesthetically acceptable results after reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects at various locations using anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps. The time for anastomosis of one vein was significantly less than that for two veins (P=-0.000 3), which indicated one vein anastomosis could significantly reduce the operating time. The incidence of venous crisis, the survival rate after treatment, and the rate of venous crisis resulting in flap necrosis were comparable between the groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONAnterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps can be easily obtained and provide a good amount of muscle for filling dead space and fascia lata. These flaps can meet the various requirements of oral and maxillofacial defects. Therefore, the anterolateral thigh myocutaneous free flaps are more suitable for oral and maxillofacial defects than other flaps.

Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Maxillofacial Abnormalities ; surgery ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Necrosis ; Quality of Life ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Surgery, Oral ; Thigh ; Wound Healing