Peyronie's disease is characterized by local fibrosis of the tunica albuginea and relatively rare clinically. Few relevant basic researches could be retrieved, which might be attributed to the absence of a robust animal model of the disease as well as to its rareness. At present, some animal models available for Peyronie's disease have their own merits and demerits. TGF-β1-induced and Fibrin-induced models are lack of penile curvature and calcification/ossification. A surgical model might be established for the acute phase of the disease. The characteristic of a widespread fibrotic process involving many organs in the spontaneous model is quite different from that of human Peyronie's disease. Therefore, choosing the right model is essential for researches. This paper presents an overview of the animal models of Peyronie's disease, meant to provide some reference for the basic research of the disease.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibrin ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Induration ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Penis ; pathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Objective To measure the serum selenium levels in patient with Keshan disease(KSD)and in healthy controls in Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia KSD areas,to monitor the long-term dynamic changes of hair and serum selenium levels in Shandong KSD areas,and to provide scientific basis for preventing KSD.Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in KSD areas of Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia in 2009.The research subjects which come from KSD areas were 77 cases and 63 healthy controls from Shandong;35 patients and 36 healthy controls from Sichuan;and 17 patients and 18 healthy controls from Inner Mongolia.Additional 33 healthy people from Jinan city were selected as controls of non-KSD areas.Blood and hair samples were collected and selenium levels were measured by 2,3-diaminonaphthalene fluorescence spectrometry.Retrospective method was used to analyze the hair and serum selenium data collected between 1976 and 2004 in Shandong KSD areas.and these data were eompard with the data of 2009 to observe the long-term dynamic changes.Results ① The serum selenium levels of KSD patients in Shandong and Inner Mongolia were significantly lower than that of healthy subjects of KSD areas[(0.0773±0.0113)vs(0.0895±0.0256),(0.0347±0.0107)vs(0.0469±0.0161),t=3.52,3.87,all P<0.01].No significant difference was found between KSD patients and healthy people in Sichuan[(0.0792±0.0162)vs(0.0774±0.0103),t=0.55,P>0.05].②The serum selenium levels of KSD patients in Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia KSD areas were lower than that of non-KSD area[(0.0988±0.0231)mg/L,q=6.74,5.83,19.47,all P<0.01].The serum selenium levels of healthy people in Sichuan and Inner Mongoha KSD areas were significantly lower than that of non-KSD area(q=6.68,16.36,all P<0.01).The serum selenium levels of healthy controls in Inner Mongolia were lower than that of in Shandong and Sichuan(q=13.63,14.74,13.62,1.46,all P<0.01).③From 1976 to 2009,the hair and serum selenium levels of Shandong resident were increased 1.68 times(0.343/0.128-1)for hair and 0.98 times(0.091/0.046-1)for serum,respectively.But there was no significant difference between the average growth rate of hair and serum selenium levels(χ2=1.38,P>0.05).Conclusions ①The hair and serum selenium levels of KSD patients are lower than that of healthy controls in non-KSD area.②The serum selenium levels of Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia are different between KSD patients and healthy controls in the diseased areas.③The hair and serum selenium data of Shandong resident show an upward vend over the past 30 years.We suggest to continue the comprehensive measures of adding selenium in KSD areas.

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect and safety of the no-flip method versus the external method in Shang Ring circumcision.

METHODSWe searched relevant randomized controlled trials published in China and abroad comparing the no-flip method and external method of Shang Ring circumcision. Based on the Cochrane Handbook for systematic review, two reviewers independently eval- uated the quality of the included studies and abstracted relevant data, followed by a meta-analysis using the statistical software Review Manager 5.1.0.

RESULTSTotally 7 studies with 1 200 cases were included. Compared with the external method, the no-flip method was associated with a lower total rate of complications (RR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.87, P = 0.02), a lower incidence of postop- erative edema (RR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.81, P = 0.02), and a lower 24 h postoperative pain score (MD = -0.35, 95% CI: -0.55, -0.14, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe no-flip method of Shang Ring circumcision was superior to the external method for its advantages of fewer complications, lower incidence of postoperative edema, and mild postoperative pain. However, our findings need further support by more high-quality randomized controlled trials.

China ; Circumcision, Male ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Edema ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; epidemiology ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Objective To observe the incidence and clinical characteristics of chronic Keshan disease in recent years, and to provide evidence for diagnosis of the disease. Methods From March to August 2009, 163 patients with chronic Keshan disease were chosen from Shandong, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia and Cansu. Of these patients, 62 cases were from Shandong, 34 cases from Sichuan, 37 cases from Inner Mongolia, and 30 cases from Gansu. All of the subjects underwent detailed natural history of the disease, careful physical examination and electrocardiogram (ECG), X-ray chest radiography and cardiac ultrasound examination. The incidence and clinical features were analyzed. Results Adults accounted for 98.8%(161/163) and children for 1.2%(2/163) in 163 cases of chronic Keshan disease, with an average age of 45.8 years. Slow onset accounted for 62.6%(102/163), other types that evolved into chronic-type accounted for 37.4%(61/163). Low blood pressure( 116.5/72.4 mmHg),often with cardiac function grade Ⅱ accounted for 65.6%(107/163). Common symptoms were: palpitation[86.5%(141/163)], asthma [76.7% (125/163)], fatigue[76.1%(124/163)], precordial discomfort [54.6% (89/163)], dizziness[50.3%(82/163)], edema of lower limbs[44.8%(73/163)], and anorexia[38.0%(62/163)]. Common signs were: low-weak first heart sound[66.9%(109/163)], heart enlargement[64.4%(105/163)], apical pulse dispersion[42.3%(69/163)], arrhythmia[40.5%(66/163)], hepatomegalia[39.3%(64/163)], systolic murmur [25.2%(41/163)], and edema[20.9%(34/163)]. Abnormal ECG detection rate was 93.9%(153/163), with common types followed by ST-T changes[ST-T changes, ST segment changes, Tchange, 36.2%(59/163)], ventricular premature [occasional and frequent ventricular premature, 26.4% (43/163)], complete right bundle branch block [25.8% (42/163)], atrial fibrillation[19.0%(31/163)], and atrioventricular conduction block[8.6%( 14/163)]. X-ray results showed that significant and moderate heart enlargement were common, accounting for 73.4%( 105/143), followed by mild enlargement of 25.2%(36/143). Color doppler ultrasound examination results showed that the atrio-ventricular cavity diameter increased, followed by left ventricular end-systolic diameter increased[81.3%(52/64)], left ventricular end-diastolic diameter increased[65.6%(42/64)], left atrial enlargement[51.6%(33/64)], right atrial enlargement [43.8%(28/64)], and right ventricular enlargement[32.8%(21/64)]. Left ventricular wall and interventricular septum thinning accounted for 15.6%( 10/64) and 7.8%(5/64), respectively. Conclusions In recent years, most cases of chronic Keshan disease occur as natural chronic type, and at older age at onset with low blood pressure.Main clinical features of the disease are cardiac enlargement, inadequate tissue perfusion, and venous stasis performance caused by cardiac decompensation. Correct diagnosis of chronic Keshan disease can be made based on these clinical features.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an almost unavoidable complication of radical prostatectomy. At present, though the concept of penile rehabilitation (PR) is accepted by most clinicians, the outcomes of erectile function recovery vary widely. Prostacyclin (PGI2) is a prostanoid and a main vasoprotectant which induces smooth muscle relaxation, but not used for replacement therapy because of its high unstability. SuperEnzyme is capable of continuous, specific and targeted promotion of PGI2 synthesis, and helps PR in ED patients after radical prostatectomy. SuperEnzyme gene therapy has a promising prospect for PR and the management of ED. This review updates SuperEnzyme gene therapy in PR.
Enzyme Therapy ; Epoprostenol ; Erectile Dysfunction ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate and analyze the traumatic conditions of Longnan area of Gansu in Wenchuan earthquake, and to explore the measures coping with unexpected disasters.

METHODSA sample survey including questionnaire survey, interviews and other methods was adopted to investigate the conditions of affected population of Longnan area in earthquake, especially on the traumatic conditions, the injured causes, treatment methods.

RESULTSIn the sample survey of a total of 1652 earthquake casualties, the dead were 16 and the patients with extremities fractures were 750 (45.4%). Organized and timely rescue of the wounded could reduce the complications and the mortality .

CONCLUSIONStrengthening the prevention and treatment of earthquake trauma can effectively decrease the death rate and disabled rate.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Data Collection ; Disasters ; statistics & numerical data ; Earthquakes ; mortality ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Wounds and Injuries ; mortality ; psychology ; surgery ; therapy

To express and secrete native HBscFv (anti-HBsAg single-chain Fv) in P. pastoris, HBscFv was amplified from plasmid pGEM-HBscFv, and then sub-cloned into expression vector pPICZalphaA. The resulting plasmid pPIC-HBscFv was linearized and transformed into P. pastoris GS115. The recombinant Pichia strains, identified by direct PCR and Zeocin-resistant screening of Pichia transformants, were cultured and induced with methanol. It was found that recombinant HBscFv, lead by alpha-factor, could be secreted into the culture supernatant to a level of 80mg/L. The bioactivity of Pichia produced HBscFv was confirmed by indirect ELISA, which also suggested that the bioactivity of HBscFv in the culture supernatant reached its peak in 72h and decreased in the late-stage of the induction. PAS staining suggests that HBscFv produced by yeast is poorly glycosylated or none-glycosylated protein.
Blotting, Western ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Humans ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Single-Chain Antibodies ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Spirituality has been an important part of Transpersonal Psychology and is believed to have a large effect on the mental health because it has been systematized. The aim of this study was to determine the level of spiritual disposition on human beings along with its effects on one's mental health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study targeted 400 women residing in Youn-Gil city of JiLin Prov., which is a district of the Cho-Sun tribe in China. Their spiritual well-being was studied using the Spiritual Well-being Scale-Korean Version. The spiritual well-being scale consists of 2 sub-scales of religious well-being and existential well-being. The study was evaluated using a lie scale, psychotic trend, and a combined anxiety-depression scale. The results were considered to be factors of one's mental health. The correlation between the spiritual well-being and each tendency was analyzed by regression analysis. RESULTS: The total score of the Cho-Sun tribal women according to the spiritual well-being scale was 68.29 which was much less than the 100.65 of Korean Christian women. There was no significant correlation between the spiritual well-being and the Lie trend. However, it was found that 86% (344) of Cho-Sun tribal women scored above 70 in the Lie trend with a mean score of 74.57 which is higher than normal populations. Regarding the correlation between the spiritual well-being and psychotic trend, the psychotic trend became significantly higher when the religious well-being was at a high level. On the other hand, the psychotic trend became significantly lower when the existential well-being was at a high level. Regarding the correlation between the spiritual well-being and anxiety, the anxiety was significantly higher when the religious well-being was at a high level. However, the anxiety level was significantly low when the existential well-being was at a high level. Regarding the correlation between the spiritual well-being and depression, the depression level was somewhat significantly high when the religious well-being was at a high level. However, the depression level was significantly low when the existential well-being was at a high level. CONCLUSION: This study evaluated the effects of spiritual well-being on a person's mental health among Cho-Sun tribal women in Youn-Gil city of JiLIn Prov., P.R. of China. The results found that the religious well-being, which is a sub-scale of spiritual well-being, had negative effects while the existential well-being had positive effects on the mental health. These results proved that a person's religious disposition had negative effects on their mental health in a communitarian society.
Anxiety ; China* ; Depression ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Mental Health* ; Psychology ; Spirituality

OBJECTIVETo study the toxicity features of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle and the influence of Dan Gua-Fang, a Chinese herbal compound prescription, on the reproductive cycle of vascular endothelial cells cultivated under a high glucose condition; to reveal the partial mechanisms of Dan Gua-Fang in the prevention and treatment of endothelial injury caused by hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus (DM); and offer a reference for dealing with the vascular complications of DM patients with long-term high blood glucose.

METHODSBased on the previous 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (z-y1)-3-5-diphenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) experiment, under different medium concentrations of glucose and Dangua liquor, the endothelial cells of vein-304 (ECV-304) were divided into 6 groups as follows: standard culture group (Group A, 5.56 mmol/L glucose); 1/300 herb-standard group (Group B); high glucose culture group (Group C, 16.67 mmol/L glucose); 1/150 herb-high glucose group (Group D); 1/300 herb-high glucose group (Group E); and 1/600 herb-high glucose group (Group F). The cell cycle was assayed using flow cytometry after cells were cultivated for 36, 72 and 108 h, respectively.

RESULTS(1) The percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase was significantly increased in Group C compared with that in Group A (P<0.05), while the percentage of S-phase (S%) cells in Group C was significantly reduced compared with Group A (P<0.05); the latter difference was dynamically related to the length of growing time of the endothelial cells in a high glucose environment. (2) The S% cells in Group A was decreased by 30.25% (from 40.23% to 28.06%) from 36 h to 72 h, and 12.33% (from 28.06% to 24.60%) from 72 h to 108 h; while in Group C, the corresponding decreases were 23.05% and 21.87%, respectively. The difference of S% cells between the two groups reached statistical significance at 108 h (P<0.05). (3) The percentage difference of cells in the G2/M phase between Group C and Group A was statistically significant at 72 h (P<0.01). (4) 1/300 Dan Gua-Fang completely reversed the harmful effect caused by 16.67 mmol/L high glucose on the cell cycle; moreover it did not disturb the cell cycle when the cell was cultivated in a glucose concentration of 5.56 mmol/L.

CONCLUSIONSHigh glucose produces an independent impact on the cell cycle. Persistent blocking of the cell cycle and its arrest at the G0/G1 phase are toxic effects of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle. The corresponding variation of the arrest appears in the S phase. 1/300 Dan Gua-Fang completely eliminates the blockage of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; pharmacology ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Flow Cytometry ; Glucose ; adverse effects ; Humans

Sleep has attracted extensive attention due to its significance in health. However, its association with erectile dysfunction (ED) is insufficiently investigated. To investigate the potential causal links between sleep traits (insomnia, sleep duration, and chronotype) and ED, this study was performed. The single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with insomnia, sleep duration, and chronotype were retrieved from previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS). A conventional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to estimate the causal links between sleep traits and ED. The summary statistics of ED were from individuals of European ancestry (6175 cases vs 217 630 controls). As shown by the random effect inverse-variance-weighting (IVW) estimator, genetically predicted insomnia was causally associated with a 1.15-fold risk of ED (95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.23, P < 0.001). Sleep duration and morningness were not causally associated with ED, as indicated by the IVW (all P > 0.05). These findings were consistent with the results of sensitivity analyses. Based on genetic data, this study provides causal evidence that genetically predicted insomnia increases the risk of ED, whereas sleep duration and chronotype do not.
Male ; Humans ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/genetics* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Erectile Dysfunction/genetics* ; Sleep/genetics* ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide