Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common male sexual disorder with an incidence rate of 20-30%. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i), as the first-line drug for erectile dysfunction (ED), can improve ejaculatory function probably by acting on the peripheral and central adrenergic nerves. The possible action mechanisms of PDE5i may involve lessening of the central sympathetic output, modulation of the contractile responses from the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and urethra, induction of peripheral analgesia, and prolonging of the total erectile duration, increasing the confidence of ejaculation control, and reducing the post-ejaculation refractory time. This review discusses the possible mechanisms and clinical application of PDE5i in the treatment of PE.
Ejaculation ; drug effects ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Premature Ejaculation ; drug therapy ; Seminal Vesicles ; physiology ; Vas Deferens ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the blood enriching effects of Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba, paeoniflorin and albiflorin on mouse model of blood deficiency caused by γ-ray radiation.

METHODBuild mouse model of blood deficiency induced by γ-ray radiation. Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba were given during modeling. The amount of WBC was detected af- ter the treatment. Based on the result of WBC and paeoniflorin content, albiflorin content in Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba, the same model and the same method were used to comparatively study the effect of blood enriching of paeoniflorin and albiflorin.

RESULTOn the 7th day, the amount of WBC in model mice treated with 2 g x kg(-1) Paeoniae Radix Alba and 2 g x kg(-1) Paeoniae Radix Rubra significantly increased compared with that of model group (P < 0.05). In another experiment with the same model, the amount of WBC in model mice treated with 120 mg x kg(-1) paeoflorin and 120 mg x kg(-1) albiflorin significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with that of model group on the 7th day. On the 10th day, the amount of WBC in rats treated with 120 mg x kg(-1) paeoflorin increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with that of model group. Compared with the same dose of paeoniflorin, the amount of WBC in mice treated with albiflorin had no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONAll Paeoniae Radix Alba, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, paeoniflorin and al- biflorin can raise the amount of WBC and have the effect of enriching blood induced by radiation, while paeoniflorin and albiflorin have a similar result in this model. The result indicated that both paeoniflorin and albiflorin are effective constituents in Paeoniae Radix Alba, and paeoniflorin work as the common effective constituent in both Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba.

Animals ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; pharmacology ; Gamma Rays ; adverse effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Male ; Mice ; Monoterpenes ; pharmacology ; Rats

Forearm ; innervation ; Ganglion Cysts ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; innervation ; surgery ; Tendons ; surgery ; Ulnar Nerve ; surgery

Connexin43 has been shown to play a pivotal role in wound healing process. Wound repair is enhanced by acute downregulation of connexin43, by increasing proliferation and migration of keratinocyte and fibroblast. Angiogenesis is also a central feature of wound repair, but little is known about the effects of connexin43 modulation on functions of endothelial cells. We used connexin43 specific small interference RNA (siRNA) to reduce the expression of connexin43 in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC), and investigated the effects of connexin43 downregulation on intercellular communication, viability, proliferation, migration and angiogenic activity of HUVEC. Treatment of siRNA markedly reduced the expression of connexin43 by -80% in HUVEC (P < 0.05), and decreased the intercellular communication by -65% (P < 0.05). The viability, proliferation, migration and angiogenic activity of HUVEC decreased significantly (P < 0.05), compared with that of the normal cells. The results suggest that temporally downregulation of connexin43 expression at early stage of wound to inhibit the abnormal angiogenesis characterized with leaky and inflamed blood vessels, maybe a prerequisite for coordinated normal healing process.
Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; Wound Healing

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) on the treatment of children with hematologic malignancies and nonmalignancies, between August 2001 and June 2004, 32 patients were transplanted by using unrelated umbilical cord blood supplied by Shandong Umbilical Cord Blood Bank. Out of them, 13 patients suffered from ALL, 9 from AML, 3 from AA, 3 from HAL, 2 from CML and 2 from NHL. The median age was 8 years (range 2-15), the median weight was 31.5 kg (range 14-55). All patients received ablative conditioning regiment according to the disease and the disease status. Conditioning regiments Cy/TBI were used for 4 patients and Bu/Cy for 21 patients, other for 7 patients. All patients received cyclosporin A and/or methotrexate for GVHD prophylaxis. The mean number of infused nuclear cells were 5.57 (2.16-12.3) x 10(7)/kg, CD34+ cells 1.78 (0.85-5.59) x 10(5). All of UCB units were tested for HLA-A, -B, and DRB1 using low and high resolution techniques. There were HLA-matched in 10, 5/6 in 16 and 4/6 in 6. The results showed that 20 out of 32 patients achieved complete engraftment. Median time of neutrophil > or = 0.5 x 10(9)/L, and platelet > or = 20 x 10(9)/L were 17 (9-38) and 42 (18-102) days respectively. The incidence of aGVHD II-IV and aGVHD III-IV were 35% and 15% respectively. After a median follow-up of 18 months (1.5-28.5), overall survival rate at one year was 59.4%, overall survival rate at two years was 40.6%. It is suggested that UCBT is promising for children patients who is lack of matched bone marrow donors.
Adolescent ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Cyclosporine ; administration & dosage ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; mortality ; therapy ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; administration & dosage ; Survival Rate ; Transplantation Conditioning

Robust and efficient control of therapeutic gene expression is needed for timing and dosing of gene therapy drugs in clinical applications. Ribozyme riboswitch provides a promising building block for ligand-controlled gene-regulatory system, based on its property that exhibits tunable gene regulation, design modularity, and target specificity. Ribozyme riboswitch can be used in various gene delivery vectors. In recent years, there have been breakthroughs in extending ribozyme riboswitch's application from gene-expression control to cellular function and fate control. High throughput screening platforms were established, that allow not only rapid optimization of ribozyme riboswitch in a microbial host, but also straightforward transfer of selected devices exhibiting desired activities to mammalian cell lines in a predictable manner. Mathematical models were employed successfully to explore the performance of ribozyme riboswitch quantitively and its rational design predictably. However, to progress toward gene therapy relevant applications, both precision rational design of regulatory circuits and the biocompatibility of regulatory ligand are still of crucial importance.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Ligands ; Models, Theoretical ; RNA, Catalytic ; genetics ; Riboswitch ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of late accelerated hyperfractionated conformal radiotherapy (LACF) combined with capecitabine on esophageal carcinoma.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty eight patients of esophageal cancer were randomly divided into 3 groups, including the radiotherapy alone group (CF) which received conventional conformal radiotherapy to a total of 60 - 66 Gy, LCAF group which received conventional fractionated conformal radiotherapy during the first two-thirds of the treatment to a dose about 40 Gy/20F/4W, then followed by late accelerated hyperfractionated conformal radiotherapy, twice daily radiotherapy at 1.3 Gy per fraction to a total dose about 64 - 69 Gy, and LCAF + C group (late accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy combined with capecitabine), in which patients were treated as the same as the LCAF group, except that they were treated with capecitabine (1.5 g po bid) from beginning of the radiotherapy to the end.

RESULTSThe short-term results of the 3 groups were 74.0%, 85.5% and 95.2%, respectively (P = 0.006). The local control rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 64.0%, 30.0%, 24.0% in the CF group, 81.8%, 65.5%, 58.2% in the LCAF group and 90.1%, 77.8%, 74.6% in the LCAF+C group, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of the 3 groups were 58.0%, 20.0%, 8.0%; 78.2%, 36.4%, 17.0% and 85.7%, 55.6%, 30.2%, respectively. The effect of LCAF+C group was better than that of LCAF group and CF group. The incidence of acute tracheitis and acute esophagitis in the LCAF+C group and LCAF group was higher than that in the CF group, but there was no stastistically significant difference between the 2 groups. There was no statistically significant difference in distant metastasis in the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONSCapecitabine, as an effective chemosensitizater combined with late accelerate hyperfractionated radiotherapy can improve the short-term results of treatment of esophageal cancer. The value of this combined treatment in distant metastasis reqires further study in the clinic.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; therapeutic use ; Capecitabine ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; mortality ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Deoxycytidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Dose Fractionation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; therapy ; Esophagitis ; etiology ; Fluorouracil ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Radiation Pneumonitis ; etiology ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate an safe and effective new technology (treatment) to repair maxillofacial region penetrating defect.

METHODSThe lower trapezius musculocutaneous flap is parallel just like as two leaves which is connected to each other, and was folded to provide the liner of oral cavity and external cover.

RESULTSTotally twelve folding lower trapezius musculocutaneous pedicle flap survived. Postoperative follow-up for 1 approximately 3 years, the patients restored the function as well as the shape of maxillofacial region.

CONCLUSIONSThe lower trapezius musculocutaneous pedicle flap is a suitable material for maxillofacial region reconstruction, further more, the successful rate is perfect.

Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mouth Neoplasms ; surgery ; Muscle, Skeletal ; transplantation ; Oral Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of Bcl-2 fusion protein on apoptosis in brain following traumatic brain injury.

METHODSBcl-2 gene was cloned by RT-PCR. Bcl-2 and EGFP genes were linked together and inserted into pAdeno-X vector. This recombinant vector was packaged into infectious adenovirus in HEK293 cells. Ninety Wistar rats were assigned randomly into experimental group (n=45) and control group (n=45). All rats were subjected to traumatic brain injury. Then recombinant adenovirus (for experimental group) or saline (for control group) was injected into the traumatic brain. The expression of Bcl-2 fusion protein was investigated by Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and fluorescence microscopy. Apoptosis in the injured brain was studied by TUNEL. Animals' behavior capacity was evaluated by tiltboard test.

RESULTSIn the experimental group, many fluorescent cells were found around the traumatic locus, which were also proven to be Bcl-2 positive by immunohistochemistry. On the contrary, few Bcl-2 positive cells and no fluorescent cell were detected in the control group. Bcl-2 expression of experimental group was much higher than that of control group, which was illustrated by Western blotting. The apoptosis index of experimental group was 0.027+/-0.005, and that of control group was 0.141+/-0.025 (P < 0.01). Two weeks after injury, animals of the experimental group behaved better than those of the control group.

CONCLUSIONSA recombinant adenovirus vector expressing Bcl-2 fusion protein has been constructed. Bcl-2 fusion protein can suppress apoptosis and promote cell survival. Moreover, the behavior recovery of the injured animal is promoted. Bcl-2 fusion protein provides a way to track the target cells in vivo.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Base Sequence ; Brain Injuries ; therapy ; Cloning, Molecular ; Genes, bcl-2 ; Genetic Therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo detect the effects of vasectomy on the growth and apoptosis of prostatic tissue cells.

METHODSForty-five SD rats were divided at random into three groups of fifteen each. Vasectomy (Vsm) model was established by ligating the bilateral vas deferens of the rats in Group A and testosterone propionate and normal saline were subcutaneously injected in those of Groups B and C, respectively. The area percentage of each part in the prostatic tissue was measured with computer-assisted image analysis system. The apoptotic rate was examined with TUNEL.

RESULTSThe ratio of stromal area to epithelial plus lumen area in the prostatic tissues in Groups A, B and C were (29.20 +/- 6.85), (39.77 +/- 7.58) and (48.90 +/- 6.49), respectively, and the differences were significant statistically (P all < 0.05). The apoptosis rates in Groups A, B and C were (6.39 +/- 0.84)%, (2.62 +/- 0.57)% and (4.58 +/- 0.93)%, respectively, significantly higher in Group A than in Groups B and C (P all < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVasectomy may induce interstitium reduction and cell apoptosis in the prostatic tissues of rats, which may help prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Prostate ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testosterone Propionate ; administration & dosage ; Vasectomy