BACKGROUND:Due to the much higher requirement of biocompatibility and anticoagulant of smal-diameter vascular grafts than those of large-diameter ones, in situ blood vessel regeneration occurs as a new research direction. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the recent research development of electrospun smal-diameter scaffolds and to explore the application of in situ blood vessel regeneration and the development tendency. METHODS:The first author retrieved China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, Wanfang data and ISI Web of Knowledge foreign database to retrieve literatures addressing the fabrication of electrospun smal-diameter nanofibrous vascular grafts, surface modification and mimicking extracel ular matrix, as wel as the evaluation of biocompatibility and security after grafting. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Electrospun smal-diameter nanofibrous vascular grafts have emerged as promising candidates in vascular tissue engineering. By using both natural and synthetic polymers, the scaffolds can achieve a good balance between mechanical property and biocompatibility. Meanwhile, the fabrication of multi-layered vascular scaffolds, functional surface modification and mimicking extracel ular matrix structural y and functional y are now becoming attractive research directions. However, at current stage, electrospun vascular scaffolds used clinical y are basical y formed by synthetic materials, which have limited biocompatibility and anticoagulant activity. In this case, more efforts should be paid to find an optimal ratio between natural and synthetic materials for the improvement of biocompatibility and anticoagulant ability of smal-diameter vascular grafts.

Vasectomy has become a popular method for male sterilization in Korea and this, in turn, has been followed by an increase in the number of patients requesting vasectomy reversal. Recently, many authors have reported a high success rate of vasovasostomy using microsurgical techniques. However, a significant discrepancy persist between the patency and pregnancy rate despite improvements in surgical techniques. A total of 200 patients undergoing vasovasostomy from May 1983 to April 1990 were reviewed. Of these 200 patients, only 130 patients (98 patients by two-layer, 32 patients by modified two-layer technique) could be followed up and analyzed as to pregnancy rate related to age, vasal obstructive interval, gross appearance and sperm quality of the vas fluid, operative method, and presence or absence of sperm granuloma. Success rates were 90.3% for patency and 65.4% for pregnancy. With regard to factors influencing to operation, it seemed that the results were better when there was a shorter vasal obstructive interval, watery vas fluid, presence of normal morphologic sperm quality, presence of sperm granuloma, and when the operation was done using the two-layer technique. However, no statistically significant difference was found, except between the bilateral presence and absence of sperm granuloma at the vasectomy site. Thus it is suggested that the most important single factor influencing the success rate of vasovasostomy is a meticulous and skillful operative technique itself, althought other factors may affect the outcome. More effort and research are needed to find the factors affecting the success rate of vasovasostomy.
Granuloma ; Humans ; Infertility* ; Korea ; Pregnancy Rate ; Pregnancy* ; Spermatozoa ; Sterilization, Reproductive ; Vasectomy ; Vasovasostomy*

Objective: To investigate the serum anti-mumps IgG antibody levels among children aged 0 to 4 years in Haishu District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide insights into improvements for mumps vaccination program. Methods: Children aged 0 to 4 years were sampled from Haishu District using a stratified random sampling method in 2016 (before adjustment of the mumps vaccination program) and 2022 (after adjustment of the mumps vaccination program). Participants' demographics were collected using questionnaires, and the coverage of mumps-containing vaccines was collected from the Ningbo Municipal Immunization Information System. Serum anti-mumps IgG antibody was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the seroprevalence of anti-mumps IgG antibody and geometric mean concentration (GMC) were estimated among children aged 0 to 4 years in 2016 and 2022. Results: A total of 464 children were enrolled in 2016, including 250 boys (53.88%) and 214 girls (46.12%), and there were 301 children receiving mumps-containing vaccines (64.87%). The seroprevalence of anti-mumps IgG antibody were 48.08%, 34.44%, 81.11%, 84.44% and 84.44%, and GMC were 233.86, 351.77, 333.66, 362.29 and 410.72 U/mL. A total of 456 children were recruited in 2022, including 236 boys (51.75%) and 220 girls (48.25%), and there were 427 children receiving mumps-containing vaccines (93.64%). The seroprevalence of anti-mumps IgG antibody were 72.73%, 95.00%, 100.00%, 98.68% and 99.04%, and GMC were 524.05, 1 229.69, 1 623.64, 788.01 and 738.41 U/mL. Higher seroprevalence and GMC of anti-mumps IgG antibody was seen in 2022 than in 2016 among children at all age groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Following adjustment for vaccination programs, the seroprevalence and GMC of anti-mumps IgG antibody significantly increased among children at ages of 0 to 4 years in Haishu District.

Objective To investigate the effect of meridian point cosmetic therapy of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)on acne.Methods 80 cases of acne patients were selected and divided into the treatment group(50 cases)and the control group(30 cases).The treatment group was given medication by differentiation of symptoms and signs and designed a complete treatment scheme by the demonstration of health analysis curve through test by balanced cosmetic equipment and meridian point of TCM.The control group only received extravenous medication.The effect of the two groups was observed after 2 months' treatment.Results The total effeetive rate in the treatment group was 94.0%,which was superior to that of the control group(73.3%),x2=11.08,P＜0.05. Conclusion Application of meridian point cosmetic therapy of TCM could facilitated the diagnosis and treatment by differentiation of symptoms and signs and thus improve the curing rate.

Ureteroscopic removal of the stone is now popular for the management of the lower ureteral stone. A clinical study was performed on our 75 patients with lower ureteral stone treated with ureteroscopy. Of the 75 stone manipulations 62 (83%) were immediately successful and the final success rate including spontaneous delivery of stone or fragment after the procedure was 87 percents (65 cases). Of 57 smaller calculi than 1 cm (radiographic largest diameter) 50 (88%) were removed successfully. Mean duration of postoperative hospitalization was 5.6 days. There were no interrelations between the success rate and anesthetic methods. Significant complications during or after procedure were not identified. We conclude that ureteroscopic removal of stones under direct vision can be done safely and be the first choice of procedure for the lower ureteral stones.
Calculi ; Clinical Study ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Ureter* ; Ureteroscopy

We performed erotic stimulation that in 63 patients with erectile dysfunction in order to investigate erectile responses to visual sexual stimulation in patients with psychogenic and organic impotence and to elucidate valuable parameters for differential diagnosis between psychogenic and organic impotence. After the test using polygraph system and erotic film, subjective sexual drive in each patient was evaluated as grade I (poor), grade II (moderate), grade III (good). Following parameters were statistically analyzed : degree of maximal rigidity, degree of maximal tumescence, T -up phase (time taking place from the beginning of the erection to maximal level). The T-max phase (time taking place for the plateau phase of maximal erection). The results obtained were summarized as follows. Regardless of sexual drive of each patient, psychogenic impotence group showed better maximal rigidity and shorter T-up phase of rigidity than organic impotence group (p<0.05}. Of patients with psychogenic impotence, good sexual drive group showed better maximal rigidity and maximal tumescence than poor sexual drive group (p<0.06). Psychogenic impotence group showing good sexual drive revealed much better maximal rigidity and shorter T-up phase of rigidity than organic impotence group with same degree of sexual drive (p<0.05). These results indicate erotic stimulation test is highly valuable method for differential diagnosis between psychogenic and organic impotence, especially when the patient shows sexual drive in moderate or good degree. And it is suggested that maximal rigidigity and T-up phase of erection parameters in erotic stimulation test provide high validity for the differention.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Humans ; Male

Objective:To investigate the sensitivity and the specificity of scorpions amplification refractory mutation system ( ARMS) in comparing with that of direct DNA sequencing in the detection of BRAF gene mutations in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.Methods:Direct sequencing and ARMS were used simultaneously to detect BRAF mutation status in 56 patients with PTMC.Results:BRAF mutations were identified in 46 cases with a mutation rate of 82.9%by ARMS,while in 18 cases with a mutation rate of 32.1%by direct sequencing.Besides,the sensitivity of ARMS was 100%and that of direct sequencing was 39.1%.There were significant differences of both mutation rate and sensitivity between two methods ( P<0.01 ).Conclusion: Compared to direct sequencing,ARMS gains a higher sensitivity in the detection of BRAF mutations in samples with tiny lesions.

AIM:To investigate the role of peripheral blood leukocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) on intestinal injury following mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion (IR) in rats. METHODS: Twenty adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 200-230 g, were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (CON) consisting of 10 rats was subjected to laparotomy and separation of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) only. The ischemia/reperfusion (IR) group consisting of 10 rats, was subjected to laparotomy, followed by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) by an atraumatic microvascular clamp for 30 min. At the end of ischemic period in IR, the microvascular clamp was removed and the intestinal segment was reperfused for 60 min. The pathological changes of the ileal mucosal tissue were evaluated. The apoptosis of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells was examined by terminal deoxylnucleotidy-l transferase mediated-dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL). The enzymatic activity of casapse-3 in mucosal cells was determined using a colorimetric assay. The percentages of apoptotic peripheral blood leukocytes and PMNs were measured by flow cytometry using Annexin-V/PI double staining assay. The numbers of peripheral blood leukocytes in each animal was measured at baseline, 30 min of ischemia, and 30 min and 60 min of reperfusion. RESULTS: (1) Compared to CON group animals, the most severe mucosal injury was observed in IR group under optical microscope. (2) The number of apoptotic mucosal epithelia cells and enzymatic activity of caspase-3 were significantly higher in IR than those in CON group (P

An in vitro pharmacologic study was conducted to investigate the effect of phentolamine on norepinephrine induced contraction of human corpus cavernosum. The isometric muscle tension of corpus cavernosum from 4 potent volunteers were recorded after stimulation with various concentrations of norepinephrine and phentolamine. The results are summarized as follows. Contractile response of corpus cavernosum was observed to begin in the concentration of 10(-6) M and to reach maximal level in the concentration of 10(-4)M norepinephrine. Compared to it, contractile activity of corpus cavernosum to norepinephrine was observed to be gradually decreased in response to pretreatment with phentolamine from 10(-6)M to 10(-4)M. These indicate that norepinephrine causes a dose dependent contraction of corpus cavernosum and phentolamine had a relaxant effect on norepinephrine-induced contraction of corpus cavernosum in dose dependent manner.
Humans ; Muscle Tonus ; Norepinephrine* ; Phentolamine* ; Volunteers

Appropriate control of diet and water intake is important for maintaining normal blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte homeostasis in the body. It is relatively understood that the amount of sodium and potassium intake directly affects blood pressure and regulates ion transporters; Na and K channel functions in the kidney. However, little is known about whether diet and water intake regulates Aquaporin (AQP) function. AQPs, a family of aquaporin proteins with different types being expressed in different tissues, are important for water absorption by the cell. Water reabsorption is a passive process driven by osmotic gradient and water permeability is critical for this process. In most of the nephron, however, water reabsorption is unregulated and coupled to solute reabsorption, such as AQP1 mediated water absorption in the proximal tubule. AQP2 is the only water channel founded so far that can be regulated by hormones in the kidney. AQP2 expressed in the apical membrane of the principal cells in the collecting tubule can be regulated by vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) controlling the final volume of urine excretion. When vasopressin binds to its receptor on the collecting duct cells, it stimulates the translocation of AQP2 to the membrane, leading to increased water absorption via this AQP2 water channel. However, some studies also indicated that the AQP2 is also been regulated by vasopressin independent mechanism. This review is focused on the regulation of AQP2 by diet and the amount of water intake on salt and water homeostasis.
Absorption ; Aquaporin 2* ; Arginine Vasopressin ; Blood Pressure ; Diet* ; Drinking* ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Ion Transport ; Kidney ; Membranes ; Nephrons ; Osmolar Concentration ; Permeability ; Potassium ; Sodium ; Vasopressins ; Water*