Bacterial Infections ; microbiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; beta-Lactamases ; isolation & purification

A collection of neurons in the upper lumbar spinal cord (lumbar segments 3 and 4) of male rats project to the lower lumbar spinal cord (lumbar segments 5 and 6) and release a gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) to the somatic and autonomic regions, which are known to regulate male sexual reflexes. The GRP plays some special functions when bound to the specific GRP receptor (GRPR). The spinal GRP system is regulated by androgens. Accumulating evidence shows that GRP plays an important role in rat penile erection and ejaculation, and pharmacological stimulation of GRPRs with a specific agonist can restore penile reflexes and ejaculation in castrated male rats. Therefore, the GRP system appears to be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or ejaculatory dysfunction. The present paper briefly reviews the recent studies on the role of the spinal GRP system in regulating the sexual function of males.
Androgens ; metabolism ; Animals ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide ; metabolism ; physiology ; Male ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Rats ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism

Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Dermatofibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Lipoma ; pathology ; Neurofibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study possible mechanisms of Shangjuxu (ST37) and the large intestine.

METHODSTotally 40 SD rats were selected. The distension of end colon was used as injured afferent stimulus. Activities of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons were recorded by extracellular microelectrode technique. Shangjuxu (ST37) and Hegu (L14) were needled to observe general features of discharge reactions, distention of colon induced discharge reactions of LC, and its effects on distention of colon induced discharge reactions of LC.

RESULTSDistention of colon could induce incrased discharge of LC neurons by 127.33% ± 45.48%. But needling at Shangjuxu (ST37) and Hegu (L14) could inhibit this injured response by 38.24% ± 7.69% and 21.29% ± 13.16% respectively (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNeedling at Shangjuxu (ST37) and afferent signals of colon distension converged and interacted with each other. Needling at Shangjuxu (ST37) could significantly inhibit colon distension induced discharge of LC neurons, which might be one of mechanisms for Shangjuxu (ST37) and the large intestine relationship.

Epiglottis ; pathology ; Humans ; Palatine Tonsil ; Tissue Adhesions ; diagnosis ; Tonsillar Neoplasms ; radiotherapy

BACKGROUND:Accumulative evidence supports that vitreous cryopreservation can improve the cel survival rate. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of vitreous cryopreservation on the tenocytes co-cultured with the porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) scaffold. METHODS:Tenocytes were co-cultured with the porous PDMS scaffold for 9-14 days, and then preserved and resuscitated in the 10%dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 21%DMSO and VS55, respectively. One hour later, the survival rate of post-resuscitated tenocytes versus pre-resusciated tenocytes was analyzed by live/dead double color fluorescent staining and flow cytometry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Live/dead double color fluorescent staining revealed that tenocytes in the 10%DMSO group appeared to be irregular and double stained, and a large number of cel s shedding from the scaffold. The VS55 and 21%DMSO groups showed some spindle and hemispherical cel s single stained for green fluorescence and few double stained irregular cel s. Additional y, the cel density in the two groups was significantly lower than that in the control group. Flow cytometry results found that there were homogenous cel s in the control group;the number of cel s in the 10%DMSO group was too low to undergo flow cytometry;smal cel particles were visible in the VS55 group;in the 21%DMSO group, the cel volume was similar with the control group, and smal particles also existed. The survival rate in the VS55 group (64.9%) was significantly lower than that in the 21%DMSO group (76.2%;P<0.05). Conversely, the survived cel s were rare in the 10%DMSO group. To conclude, 21%DMSO vitreous cryopreservation improves the cel survival rate and is beneficial for tenocyte adherence to the scaffold.

Objective To compare the treatment effect of autologous blister skin grafting with ReCell autologous chromocyte grafting on cicatricial depigmentation caused by deep burn.Methods Thirty-four patients with cicatricial depigmentation caused by deep burn who were admitted into hospital from May 2012 to February 2015 were included in this study.The total 61 depigmentation areas were randomly divided into two groups;32 areas from 18 patients were treated with autologous blister skin grafting,and the other 29 areas from 16 patients were trea-ted with ReCell autologous chromocyte grafting.In the autologous blister skin grafting treated group,epidermis from the depigmentation area was removed by grinding with a BY-II AM type epidermal graft vitiligo treatment equipment.Then the autologous blister skin was harvested with the suction blistering method and grafted onto the wound of depigmentation area.In the ReCell autologous chromocyte grafting treated group,split-thickness skin flap was harvested by electric dermatome.Then the donor skin was processed into chromocyte suspension with the ReCell assay kit and evenly sprayed onto the depigmentation areas.The wound healing time and the pigment recovery 3 months after surgery were observed.Results The wound healing time of autologous blister skin grafting treated group was significantly shorter than that of ReCell autologous chromocyte grafting treated group (P <0.05 ).The effective rate of pigment recovery 3 months after surgery in autologous blister skin grafting treated group was markedly higher than that of ReCell autologous chromocyte grafting treated group(P <0.05 ). Conclusion The autologous epidermal grafting treatment using grinding and suction blistering method is simple and easy to perform,marked-ly effective,with no suture scar and low surgical risk,thus serving as a promising and ideal therapeutic method for burn scar depigmentation.

Objective To develop a standard and procedural protocol for the perioperative management of thymectomy for myasthenia gravis(MG) patients and thus to reduce the incidence of MG crisis.Methods From June 1996 to March 2016,466 MG cases received thymectomy we continuously explored key technologies of surgical treatment for MG 466 patients,there were 209 male cases and 259 female cases,with age ranging from 5 to 77 years and chief complaint history ranging from 12 days to 18 years.Symptoms included drooping eyelids,double vision,weakness,shortness of breath,coughing,dysarthria,and difficulties in swallowing and chewing.According to the modified Osserman classification,there were 248 type Ⅰ MG cases,58 type Ⅱa MG cases,66 type Ⅱb MG cases,71 type Ⅲ MG cases,and 23 type Ⅳ MG cases respectively.116 cases received thymecotomy via full sternotomy,204 cases via J type semi-sternotomy,and 146 case via thoracoscopy (including 13 cases via sub-xiphoid approach).Results Perioperatively one case died of sudden death,another patient died of respiratory failure after the second operation for metastatic thymoma,with a mortality rate of 0.42％ (2/466);13 cases had M G crisis (13/466);Six cases underwent tracheotomy (6/466);2 cases had plasmapheresis hypotonic syndrome (accounting for 3.4％ in plasmapheresis cases) and were reoperated to stop bleeding.Postoperatively pathological diagnosis was made,including three thymic atrophy cases,272 thymic hyperplasia cases,178 thymoma cases,and 13 thymic cyst cases.Conclusion A standard and procedural protocol for the perioperative management of thymectomy for MG patients can be developed,which can reduce the morbidity of MG crisis and the incidence of tracheotomy.

Objective To observe the effects of low-intensity(650 nm,5 mW)laser irradiation on the pathological changes associated with aortic atherosclerosis using a rabbit model.Methods Thirty-six male Zelanian rabbits were randomly divided into 4 equal groups:a control group,a laser irradiation group,a simvastatin treatment group and a laser plus simvastatin group,and were treated accordingly.After being fed the basic diet for a week,all the animals were fed a high fat diet during the experiment.Blood samples were taken for lipid assay at the 60th day. The animals were sacrificed at the 61st day and their aortas removed for gross and microscopic examination.Any pathological changes were graded as mild,intermediate or severe according to the indicators of atherosclerosis observed.Results There were no significant differences in blood fat levels among the four groups before the experi- ment,but significant differences in serum triglyceride prevailed after the treatments.Low-density lipoprotein(LDL)- C level in the control group was significantly higher than those in the laser irradiation,simvastatin treatment and laser plus simvastatin groups.There was also a very significant difference in high-density lipoprotein(HDL)-C levels among the laser irradiation group,the laser plus simvastatin group and the control group.The pathological changes observed were correlated with blood fat levels.Mild atherosclerosis was found in the treated groups,but severe or in- termediate atherosclerosis was more prevalent in the control group.Conclusion Low-intensity laser irradiation a- lone or combined with simvastatin can significantly decrease blood lipid levels and the severity of pathological changes associated with aortic atherosclerosis in this animal model.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) plus Tanbo-plucking the trigger points for scapulohumeral periarthritis (SP). Methods:A total of 80 patients with SP were randomized into an observation group and an EA group by the random number table, with 40 cases in each group. The EA group was treated with EA therapy, and the observation group was treated with EA therapy plus Tanbo-plucking the trigger points. After treatment, the visual analog scale (VAS) and Melle scores of the two groups were compared to evaluate the improvement of shoulder pain and functional activity, and meanwhile the clinical efficacy was observed. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was 95.0％ and the cure and markedly effective rate was 72.5％. The total effective rate of the EA group was 87.5％ and the cure and markedly effective rate was 42.5％. There was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups (P>0.05). The cure and markedly effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the EA group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the intra-group differences in VAS and Melle scores of both groups were statistically significant (bothP<0.001). The inter-group differences in the changes of the VAS and Melle scores after treatment were statistically significant (bothP<0.001). Conclusion: EA plus Tanbo-plucking the trigger points has a better curative effect than EA therapy alone in the treatment of SP.