Platelets, small pieces of cytoplasm with biological activity, split and fall off the megakaryocytes and mature from the bone marrow. After stimulated, platelets produce nitric oxide to inhibit their own activation and aggregation. Pathologically, the injury of endothelial cells activates platelets and changes their functions. The release of inflammatory mediators and cytokines induces and enhances the development and progression of atherosclerosis, and thereby promotes the occurrence of erectile dysfunction. Besides, platelets and their related functional parameters may serve as important indicators in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis ; etiology ; Blood Platelets ; physiology ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Platelet Activation

Objective To review the causes of exudative retinal detachment(ERD),indications of vitrectomy for ERD and its outcomes.Design Retrospective case series.Participants 57 patients with ERD received vitrectomy in EENT Hospital,Fudan Uni- versity.Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical records were conducted.Main Outcome Measures Etiology,vitrectomy indica- tions and its outcomes.Results 57 cases(62 eyes)with ERD received vitrectomy.The disease distribution of vitrectomy were Coats dis- ease in 23 cases(45.2%),familial exudative vitreoretinopathy in 8 cases(12.9%),uveitis in 7 cases(11.3%),retinal hemangioma in 7 cases(11.3%),bullous retinal detachment in 6 cases(9.7%),endophthalmitis in 4 cases(6.5%)and pit of optic nerve in 2 cases(3.2%). Severe ERD and proliferative change were major indication for treatment with vitrectomy.During follow-up period,most patients gained useful vision in early stage.Follow up rate of 6 months or more was 64.9%.The recurrence of ERD was 5.4% and most patients also gained useful vision.Condusion Coats disease is the prominent cause of being treated with vitrectomy in ERD.When proliferation or vitreous hemorrhage happens or macula is involved,vitrectomy should be performed.Most patients can gain useful vision after vitrecto- my.(Ophthalmol CHN,2008,17:52-55)

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a disease associated with a variety of factors such as age, psychological factors, physical conditions, and lifestyle, and it severely affects the patients quality of life. In the past, some non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) transcribed by genes but not translated into the protein were regarded as the "waste" in the process of gene expression. But in the recent years, ncRNAs have been found to play a crucial role in regulating gene expression and its products, which may affect penile erectile function. This review focuses on the recent progress in the studies of the relationship between ncRNAs and erectile dysfunction.
Erectile Dysfunction ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life ; RNA, Untranslated ; physiology

Penile erection (PE) is a physiological phenomenon involving complex mechanisms. PE may occur as reactive erections, psychogenic erections in the conscious state and spontaneous erections during the sleep. Sleep-related PE refers to the erections occurring spontaneously during the sleep with rapid eye movement. Studies have shown a correlation between sleep and PE as well as between sleep disorders and erectile dysfunction but not yet revealed the exact mechanisms. This paper updates the relationship between sleep and erectile function.
Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Sleep ; physiology ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; complications ; Sleep, REM ; physiology

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) have been used as the first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) in recent years. However, with the increased clinical application of PDE5i, the incidence rate of PDE5i-induced adverse reactions is on the rise, which may involve the cardiovascular, digestive, nervous, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Most of the adverse reactions are mild to moderate, occasionally with serious or rare complications. The probability and severity of the adverse reactions are associated with the dosage and frequency of medication as well as with individual differences. Therefore individualized medication is necessitated and, for the patients with cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, psychosis, or anaphylactic conditions, PDE5i should be cautiously given or avoided. This review provides an overview of PDE5i-induced adverse reactions and countermeasures in the treatment of ED.
Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a large class of RNA molecules that do not encode proteins, regulate gene expressions multifacetedly, and influence the metabolism, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of cells as well as the occurrence and progression of tumors. Some of the ncRNAs act as cancer genes, such as miR-19a, miR-125b, miR-616, miR-7, miR-221, MALAT-1, and PRNCR1, which are upregulated in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) tissues or cell lines, and promote the development and progression of CRPC, some act as tumor suppressor genes, including miR-185, miR-342, miR-15, miR-16, and miR-146, which are downregulated in CRPC tissues or cell lines and inhibit or delay the occurrence of CRPC, and still others, such as miR-7, miR-19a, miR-125b, miR-221, and MALAT-1, are differentially expressed in the serum or tissue and can be used as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prognosis of CRPC. This article presents an overview on the roles of ncRNAs in the occurrence, progression, diagnosis, and prognosis of CRPC and advances in their studies.
Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; genetics ; RNA, Untranslated ; genetics

Penile vascular endothelial damage, vasomotor dysfunction, and blood flow deficiency are the major causes of erectile dysfunction (ED). Current management of ED mostly depends on selective phosphodiesterase type 5- (PDE5) inhibitors, which fail for some ED patients. For Peyronie's disease-induced ED, surgical and physical therapies are used in addition to PDE5I medication, but frequently it is difficult to achieve satisfactory results. Recent studies show that the low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy can promote angiogenesis and improve blood flow to the penis, which promises to be a novel effective therapy for ED and Peyronie's disease.
Erectile Dysfunction ; therapy ; High-Energy Shock Waves ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Induration ; therapy

Erectile dysfunction (ED) results from the interaction of many pathological factors. Studies show that a high incidence of ED is associated with chronic diseases of various systems, and its pathogenesis is not fully understood. This article outlines the progress in recent studies on the impact of chronic diseases on erectile function.
Chronic Disease ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; physiology

Objective To report the preliminary results of Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS) applied in treatment of proximal tibial fractures. Methods 22 patients with acute fractures of proximal tibia were treated with LISS plates from November, 2003 to June, 2004. There were 6 females and 16 males, with a mean age of 41.8 years (ranging from 22 to 69 years). According to AO classification, 7 cases were type 41- A, and 15 cases were type 41- C (9 combined with other fractures). 5 of these were open fractures (3 cases of Gustilo- Anderson type Ⅲ A and 2 cases of type Ⅲ B). Results All fractures were eventually healed. There were 2 cases of superficial infection. No deep infection, failure of fixation or malalignment was found in this group. However, 1 case showed displacement of articular surface 6 months postoperatively. The range of motion was from 2? to 98.6? . The mean time of radiographic healing was 14.5 weeks (ranging from 11 to 17 weeks) and the mean time of full weight bearing was 15.2 weeks (ranging from 12 to 18 weeks). By Johner - Wruhs' evaluation, 13 cases were rated as excellent, 7 as good, 2 as fair 1 year postoperatively. Conclusions LISS is a safe and effective fixation device for proximal tibial fractures, especially for those caused by high- energy injuries. The benefits of this system include less intervention of blood supply, less soft tissue complications and a high union ratio of fractures.

Objective To evaluate minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique in the treatment of humeral shaft fractures using locking compression plate (LCP). Methods Between February 2004 and January 2005, 17 consecutive patients with 17 humeral shaft fractures were treated with LCP by MIPO technique. There were 12 men and 5 women with a mean age of 48 years (range, 18 to 75). According to AO classification, three fractures were type12-A, 10 type 12-B, and four type 12-C. Results The mean duration of follow-up was 19. 1 months (range 14 to 25) . Union occurred in all patients with a mean healing time of 11. 3 weeks (range 9 to 14) . With regard to ROM of the shoulder, the mean flexion was 174 degrees (range, 135 to 180 ), the mean extension was 38 degrees (range, 20 to 40), and the mean abduction was 87 degree (range, 70 to 90). For the elbow, the mean flexion was 133 degree (range, 115 to 135), the mean extension was -1 degree(range, - 10 to 0). Using the patient-rated functional questionnaire, the mean DASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand) score of 11 points (range, 6 to 44) at the latest follow-up indicated a mild to moderate impairment. There were three postoperative complications. One superficial infection occurred in a Custilo type MB open fracture and was uneventfully healed with conservative managements. One patient experienced transient radial nerve palsy which showed complete remission within 3 months. The third one demonstrated a dysfunction of shoulder and elbow. There were no cases of secondary malalignment or late hardware failure in this cohort. Conclusions Internal fixation using LCP in MIPO can attain a stable fixation, a high union rate as well as a low complication rate. The neurovascular structures may be at less risk of iatrogenic injuries through the anterior approach. It may be considered a reliable and efficient method for humeral shaft fractures, especially for comminuted ones and those with poor bone quality.