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

Objective·To compare the stress distribution at abutments, edentulous ridge, and peri-implant tissue under the vertical load between the RPI-type removable partial denture supported by implants with different diameter and the conventional RPI-type removable partial denture using a three-dimensional photoelastic method. Methods·The mandibular Kennedy I type denture defect models were fabricated according to the standard mandibular model. Four Straumann system soft tissue level implants with different diameters (two 4.1 mm implants and two 3.3 mm implants) were implanted into the bilateral first molar areas. Planting nails and epoxy resin teeth were inversely put into the mandibular silicone rubber molds to fabricate the epoxy resin photoelastic models and the regular neck (RN) healing abutments were screwed into the implants. A simulated alveolar mucosa with thickness of 2mm and a conventional RPI-type removable partial denture were placed on the epoxy resin models with or without implants. Then a force of 1 kg was vertically applied by a bite force loading device which fixed the model and denture in the centric occlusion. After the stress was frozen, model slices at different areas were cut and the stress fringes were observed. The stress was calculated according to the fringe value of per unit thickness. Results·For the conventional RPI-type removable partial denture, the maximum stress of distal abutment was mainly concentrated on the apical regions and the maximum stress of edentulous ridge was concentrated on the first molar area, particular on the lingual side of alveolar bone. For the implant-supported RPI-type removable partial denture, the maximum stress of distal abutment was lower than that of the conventional RPI-type removable partial denture, and the maximum stress of edentulous ridge (without the implants) was similar to that of abutment and supporting tissues and was lower than that of the conventional RPI-type removable partial denture. The stress around the implant was the largest and the peri-apical stress of implant was greater than the neck stress of implant. Meanwhile, the maximum stress around the implant was increased with the decrease of implant diameter. Conclusion·Compared to the conventional RPI-type removable partial denture, removable partial dentures supported by implants are more stable with a more balanced stress distribution in supporting tissues, thus benefit the health of abutments and supporting tissues.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine for ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block in elderly patients undergoing inguinal her-nia surgery.Methods Sixty elderly patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery were randomly divided into dexmedetomidine group (group D)and control group (group C),30 patients in each group.All patients received ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block by the same anesthesiologist. 0.375% ropivacaine and dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg 20 ml were used in ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block in group D,while 0.375% ropivacaine 20 ml were used in ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block in group C.Sensory block onset time and blockade duration were recorded.Side effects were recorded in both groups.Results Sensory block onset time in group D was significantly shorter than that in group C (10.6±4.3 min vs 14.4±5.1 min,P <0.05).Sensory block durations in group D was significantly longer than that in group C (832.7±136.6 min vs 669.8±140.1 min,P <0.05). There were two bradycardia cases in group D.No adverse reactions or anaesthesia complications oc-curred in all patients following postoperative follow-up.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine can be used in ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block safely,and dexmedetomidine shortens the onset time and prolonged the duration of sensory block.

AlM: To observe the clinical effect of micro-incision phacoemulsification combined with silicone oil removal from pars plana in eyes with silicone oil tamponade after vitrectomy.
METHODS:Forty-three patients (43 eyes) with cataract and silicone oiltamponade after vitrectomy underwent micro-coaxial phacoemulsification combined with silicone oil removal from pars plana between February 2013 and November 2013. lntraocular lens was implanted at stage l in all cases. The best corrected visual acuity was observed at 3mo after operation, and the complications were recorded.
RESULTS: The best corrected visual acuity in 39 cases (91%) was improved at 3mo after operation, and the best outcome was 0. 6. There were still 4 cases (9%) without improvement of visual acuity. There was no incidence of complications such as posterior capsular rupture, residual silicone oil, corneal endothelial decompensation, hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage, intraocular lens dislocation, secondary glaucoma and ora serrata mutilation after operation in all patients.
CONCLUSlON: Micro - invision phacoemulsification combined with silicone oil removal from pars plana is an effective and safe method for eyes with cataract and silicone oil tamponade after vitrectomy.

Objective To investigate the clinical features and treatment ofBrucellosis disease in children in recent years.Methods The clinical data of 24 children withBrucellosis disease admitted during January 2011 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.Results In 24 children, 18 was male and 6 was female and average age was 9.8±3.13 years (4-14 years). Twenty-four children were diagnosed withBrucellosis disease by positive tiger red plate agglutination tests and their antibody titer was 1:800-1:100. The children lived mainly in the pastoral areas; four cases (16.67%) had sick family members and cattle and sheep; three cases (12.5%) had histoty of contact only with sick family members; 12 cases (50.00%) had cattle and sheep exposure history; 3 cases (12.5%) had raised cattle or sheep at home in the past 2 years; 2 cases (8.33%) had not have clear transmission route. The onset of the disease occurred year round, with the highest incidence in June and July. The common clinical symptoms were fever, arthralgia, weak, sweat, and anorexia, combined with hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Patients younger than 8 years old were treated with rifampin and sulfamethoxazole. Patients equal to or older than 8 years old were treated with doxycycline and rifampin. Twenty-three children had been cured after treatment. Only one child stopped taking the drugs 3 weeks after discharge, which resulted in recurrence.Conclusion For children living in pasturing area suffered with unexplained recurrent fever, brucellosis disease should be considered and ruled out.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with single spinal metastasis of thoracic, lumbar or sacral vertebra treated with microwave ablation in situ.Methods:For 28 patients with single spinal metastasis of thoracic, lumbar or sacral vertebra, detailed and personal surgical plans were carried out. Instead of en bloc resection, hyperthermia ablation in situ was performed followed by strengthening procedures under the guidance of G-arm fluoroscopy machine. Intraoperatively, spinal cord and nerve root were properly protected. The bone defects were reconstructed by bone cement after the diseased lesions were revomed. All patients were followed up for almost 1 year postoperatively. During follow-up, X-ray and MRI images were obtained, and the level of pain and neurologic outcomes were also examined.Results:All 28 patients successfully received microwave ablation in situ. The average ablation time was approximately 8 minutes and the average amount of bone cement implanted was approximately 10.5 ml. The pain scores of digital pain classification before and 3 months after operation were 7.86±1.58 and 3.07±1.89( P<0.05). The postoperative neurological function of 22 patients was improved than that before operation. No significant changes were observed in 5 patients. The neurological function of the affected limb was relieved, whereas the symptoms of the healthy limb were slightly worse in the remaining case. Conclusions:Microwave ablation in situ is a feasible and effective surgical method for single spinal metastasis of thoracic, lumbar or sacral vertebra. It might possess many advantages, such as clear surgical field, smaller incisions, less bleeding, and safe margins during the operations. Further more, it could significantly relieve pain, restrict tumor growth, and improve the quality of life of patients. It is an innovative and distinctive therapeutic alternative for single spinal metastasis, which deserves widespread application.

The voltage-gated sodium channel subtype Nav1.7 is highly expressed in nociceptive sensory neurons and is a key pathogenic target in several human hereditary pain syndromes. In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that Nav1.7 plays an important role in inflammatory, neuropathic, and nociceptive pain. Therefore, targeting Nav1.7 is a new strategy and hotspot for the development of novel analgesics. This review introduces the structure and function of Nav1.7, its regulatory role in pain, highlights the development progress of small-molecule Nav1.7 inhibitors in clinical trials, and analyzes the preclinical development of highly specific Nav1.7 inhibitors, with a view to providing reference for the development of Nav1.7 analgesic drugs.

Objective To verify whether early growth response-3(EGR3) gene is targeted by microRNA-181b using molecular biology methods so as to provide guidance for the subsequent study on microRNA-181b`s role in the molecular mechanisms of schizophrenia.Methods Bioinformatic methods predicted that EGR3 gene is targeted by microRNA-181b.PCR methods amplified the fragment in EGR3 gene 3`UTR including the putative microRNA-181b binding site.Then the sequence was cloned into the pmirGLO luciferase vector.The DNA sequences of the amplified fragments were identified by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing, and were consistent with the reference sequence from UCSC.This constructed vector was marked as pmirGLO-EGR3 vector.Finally, the pmirGLO vector, the pmirGLO-EGR3 vector, microRNA-181b mimics and negative control (NC) were divided into 5 groups and transfected into HEK393T cells;the luciferase activity was tested by dual luciferase reporter gene assay.Results The results of restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing demonstrated that the PCR fragmentwas successfully cloned into pmirGLO vector.The transfection results showed that the recombinant plasmid was successful transfected into HEK293T under the fluorescence microscope, with transfection efficiency being about 90％.The results of dual luciferase activity assay demonstrated that microRNA-181b significantly decreased the reporter gene`s activity compared with the NC.Conclusion At the cellular level, the schizophrenia susceptibility gene EGR3 was verified to be targeted by micorRNA-181b, which provides a new clue for the subsequent study on microRNA-181b`s role in the molecular mechanisms of schizophrenia.

Objective To investigate the effects of angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) on the expression of TLR4 and its role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NF-κB activation and CD40 expression in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMCs). Methods RPMCs were harvested from Spragne-Dawley rat peritoneal cavity and maintained under defined in vitro condition. The cells were treated with Ang Ⅱ at different concentrations (10-9, 10-8, 10-7, 10-6 mol/L) and exposed to Ang Ⅱ (10-7 mol/L) for different times (1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 h for mRNA and 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 h for protein, respectively). Meanwhile, the influence of AT1 receptor antagonist (AT1R, losartan, 10-5 mol/L) and AT2 receptor blocker (AT2R, PD123177, 10-5 mol/L) on the TLR4 induced by Ang Ⅱ was observed. After synchronization for 24 hours, the cells were randomly assigned to four groups: the control group, the Ang Ⅱ (10-7 tool/L) group, the LPS (1 mg/L) group, the Ang Ⅱ (10-7 mol/L) plus LPS (1 mg/L) group, which were used to investigate the effects of Ang Ⅱ on the NF-κB activation and CD40 expression induced by LPS. The mRNA expression of TLR4 and CD40 was measured by RT-PCR and the protein abundance of TLR4, NF-κB p65, phospho-p65, IKBα and phospho-IκBα were analyzed by Western blot. Immunofluorescence was performed to determine the subcellular localization of p65 subunit of NF-κB. Results (1) Treatment of RPMCs with Ang Ⅱ resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in the expression of TLR4. Ang Ⅱ at 10-9, 10-8, 10-7 and 10-6 mol/L increased TLR4 mRNA expression by 70.5%, 89.5%, 102.9%, and 121.9%, respectively and protein expression by 12.1%, 27.7%, 51.2%, and 41.6%, respectively (P<0.01). Treatment of RPMCs with 10-7 mol/L Ang Ⅱ resulted in a time-dependent increase in the expression of TLR4, with the peak of mRNA expression at 8 and 12 h (P<0.01) and the protein expression at 12 and 24 h (P<0.01). (2) Losartan antagonized Ang Ⅱ-stimulated expression of TLR4 by 33.5% (P<0.05), PD123177 had no such effect (P0.05). (3) Treatment of RPMCs with LPS (1 mg/L) for 60 rain significantly increased the ratio of phospho-IκBα to IκBα by 362.6% (P< 0.01) , phospho-p65 to p65 by 67.4% (P<0.05), and LPS (1 mg/L) for 4 h significantly increased the expression of CD40 mRNA by 299.9% (P<0.01) compared to the control group. In comparison to the LPS (1 mg/L) group, preincubation of RPMCs with AngⅡ (10-7 mol/L) for 24 h then treated with LPS (1 mg/L) for 60 rain significantly increased the ratio of phospho-IκBα to IκBα by 49.1% (P<0.01), phospho-p65 to p65 by 29.3%(P<0.05), and LPS (1 mg/L) for 4 h significantly increased the expression of CD40 mRNA by 56.8%(P<0.01). (4) The p65 subunit of NF-κB was dominantly distributed in the cytoplasm in the control and Ang Ⅱ group. Following exposure to LPS for 60 min, p65 subunit labeling was upregulated and translocated into the nuclei. A significantly increased nuclear staining of p65 in ceils treated with Ang Ⅱ plus LPS were observed. Conclusions Ang Ⅱ induces the expression of TLR4 in dose- and time-dependent manner in RPMCs, resulting in enhanced NF-κB signaling and induction of CD40 expression, Locally produced Ang Ⅱ in the peritoneum may play an amplified role in LPS-induced peritoneal inflammation.

OBJECTIVE To study the antidepressant effects of ammoxetine(AMX)and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS Two behavioral despair models,the tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swimming test(FST),were used to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of AMX 2.5-20 mg · kg-1 following oral administration. Monoamine neurotransmitter p-chloro-phenylalanine(p-CPA)andα-methyl-p-tyrosine(AMPT) depletion models in mice were used to investigate the effects of AMX on levels of 5-serotomin(5-HT)and norepinephrine(NE)in the brain. RESULLTS The results of behavioral study showed that compared with normal control group,AMX(10 and 20 mg · kg-1)reduced the immobility time of mice by 51.4% and 80.7% in the TST(P<0.05,P<0.01) or by 48.0% and 66.2% in the FST (P<0.05),respectively. Locomotion activity test indicated that AMX did not increase or decrease the movement distance of mice,demonstrating that AMX had no excitatory or inhibitory actions on the central nervous system. Moreover,AMX(5,10 and 20 mg·kg-1)exerted antidepressant effects in the p-CPA induced 5-HT depletion model and AMPT induced NE depletion model,as evidenced by the significantly reduced immobility time,ie,63.9%,93.4%,90.5% and 61.9%,77.2%,100% reduction in the TST (P<0.01),respectively,and AMX at the dose of 20 mg·kg-1 significantly increased the concentrations of 5-HT and NE by 144.7% and 57.2% in the mouse brain(P<0.05) ,respectively. CONCLUSION AMX has strong antidepressant-like effects in behavioral despair models and monoamine neurotransmitter depletion models in mice,which is involved in the increased levels of 5-HT and NE in the brain.