The impact of sexual dysfunction (SD) is distressing to many male patients with pituitary adenomas which affect both physical and psychological health. The research explored to identify risk factors affecting sexual function and the prognosis of male patients with pituitary adenomas. Two hundred and fifty-four male patients, who aged between 18 and 60 (mean ± s.d.: 44.16 ± 10.14) years and diagnosed with pituitary adenomas, were retrospectively analyzed. One hundred and fifty-nine patients (62.6%) complained of SD prior to surgery. The mean International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) in patients with giant adenomas was 16.13 ± 2.51, much smaller than those with microadenomas or macroadenomas (P < 0.05). All the patients showed significant improvement in terms of erectile dysfunction (ED) following surgery (P < 0.05). In addition, complete resection achieved a higher degree of SD relief than partial resection. The incidence of SD in functioning pituitary adenomas (FPAs) was much higher than that in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with NFPAs, males with prolactinomas (82.8%) had the higher prevalence of SD and significantly improvement following surgical intervention (P < 0.05). An inverse relationship was identified between decreasing testosterone levels and increasing incidence of SD before surgery (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between 6 months and 12 months after surgery in serum testosterone level (P > 0.05). Our results indicated that surgical therapy could be optimized for improvements in SD and that testosterone levels can be used as a sensitive indicator to predict the recovery rate of sexual function in patients with pituitary adenomas following surgery and the serum testosterone level will stay stable in 6 months after surgery.

BACKGROUND:Sepsis has become the greatest threat to in-patients, with a mortality of over 25％.The dysfunction of gut barrier, especially the immunological barrier, plays an important role in the development of sepsis. This dysfunction occurs after surgery, but the magnitude of change does not differentiate patients with sepsis from those without sepsis. Increased intestinal permeability before surgery is of no value in predicating sepsis. The present study aimed to observe the changes of intestinal mucosal immunologic barrier in rat models of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture. METHODS:Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sepsis group (n=45) and a control group (n=15). The rats in the sepsis group were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), whereas the rats in the control group underwent a sham operation. The ileac mucosa and segments were harvested 3, 6 and 12 hours after CLP, and blood samples were collected. Pathological changes, protein levels of defensin-5 (RD-5) and trefoil factor-3 (TFF3) mRNA, and lymphocytes apoptosis in the intestinal mucosa were determined. In an additional experiment, the gut-origin bacterial DNA in blood was detected. RESULTS:The intestinal mucosa showed marked injury with loss of ileal villi, desquamation of epithelium, detachment of lamina propria, hemorrhage and ulceration in the sepsis group. The expression of TFF3 mRNA and level of RD-5 protein were decreased and the apoptosis of mucosal lymphocyte increased (P<0.05) in the sepsis group compared with the control group. Significant differences were observed in RD-5 and TFF3 mRNA 3 hours after CLP and they were progressively increased 6 and 12 hours after CLP in the sepsis group compared with the control group (P<0.05, RD-5 F=11.76, TFF3 F=16.86 and apoptosis F=122.52). In addition, the gut-origin bacterial DNA detected in plasma was positive in the sepsis group. CONCLUSION:The immunological function of the intestinal mucosa was impaired in septic rats and further deteriorated in the course of sepsis.

Objective To explore the importance and methods of retaining articularis during pri- mary total hip arthroplasty(THA)and reconstruct soft tissue balance of hip joint after THA.Methods From February 2003 to August 2005,41 eases(43 hips)including 19 males and 22 females at age of 46- 80 years(mean 66.5 years)were treated with THA with retained capsule(Group R)and other 42 cases (44 hips)including 20 males and 22 females at age of 43-80 years(mean 64.3 years)with standard THA (Group S).Preoperative diagnosis found femoral neck fractures(GardenⅢⅣ)in 13 cases(13 hips)in Group R and 14(14 hips)in Group S;acetabular dysplasia(CroweⅢ)in 9(9 hips)in Group R and 8 (hips)in Group S;Osteoarthritis in 6(8 hips)in Group R and 7(8 hips)in Group S;and femoral head osteonecrosis(FicatⅢⅣ)in 13(13 hips)in Group R and 13(14 hips)in Group S.There were 13 hips of cement prostheses in Group R and 11 in Group S,8 cementless prostheses in Group R and 8 in Group S, 22 cement and cementless prostheses in Group R and 23 in Group S.Gibson's approach was used in both groups.Group R used the method of retaining capsule and little supination muscles during the operation to reconstruct responsibly soft tissue balancing of postoperation for THA.For comparison,Group S used the method of standard which resected a lots of capsule and didn't reconstruct it.The comparative items between Group R and Group S included incisional length,operative time,operative bleeding,drainage transfusion, infection,dislocation,postoperation standing,postoperation walking and Harris's score.Results All cases in Group R and Group S were followed for 6-22 months(mean 16.5 months in Group R and 16.7 months in Group S).There was significantly statistical difference upon interoperative and postoperative data between Group R and Group S.The result of Group R was significantly better than that of GS.Conclu- sion Retaining articularis during primary THA can minimize operative trauma,reconstruct soft tissue bal- ance and augment hip stability to get postoperative functional recovery.

BACKGROUNDImproving the success rate of ureteroscopic lithotripsy for proximal ureteral stones is the hot issue in this field. Here we reported our experience on the treatment of proximal ureteral stones.

METHODSFrom 2005 to 2010, 187 consecutive patients with proximal ureteral stones who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy were enrolled. The initial 52 patients treated by semi-rigid ureteroscope alone were classified as group 1. The subsequent 135 patients treated by semi-rigid ureteroscope with the aid of stone basket and flexible ureteroscope were classified as group 2.

RESULTSIn group 1, the overall stone-free rate was 67.3%. By a single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using a semi-rigid instrument, patients with ureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level achieved 91.7% stone-free rate, which was only 50% in patients with stones above the 4th lumbar vertebra level. Conversion to open surgery occurred in two patients since ureteral perforation was observed. In group 2, the stone-free rate achieved 93.2% with the aid of an N-Trap basket, which was significantly higher than that of patients without the aid of the basket (51.6%). Flexible ureteroscope was subsequently used in patients with fragment migration, thus making the overall success rate in group 2 increases to 97.0%.

CONCLUSIONSUreteroscopic lithotripsy is a safe and efficacious treatment for proximal ureteral stones. A single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using semi-rigid ureteroscope could achieve a satisfactory stone-free rate in patients with proximal ureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level. However, patients with ureteral stones above the 4th lumbar vertebra level experienced higher stone-migration rate, which would decrease the success rate. Fortunately, the stone-free state could possibly be achieved with the aid of an N-trap basket and flexible ureteroscope.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Lithotripsy, Laser ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Ureteral Calculi ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo search for an effective method of reducing intraoperative blood loss in radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).

METHODSWe performed RRP for 100 patients with prostate cancer, 50 (group A) with the Walsh or Poor method for handling the dorsal venous complex (DVC), and the other 50 (group B) through the following three additional procedures for hemostasis: first placing a #7 prophylactic suture in the distal position of DVC, then ligating the vascular bundle of the prostatic apex with continuous 4-0 Vicryl sutures, and lastly placing a 4-0 absorbable suture followed by freeing the neurovascular bundle (NVB) or freeing NVB before suturing the remained levator ani myofascia and the deep layer of Denovilliers' fascia above the rectal serosa with 4-0 Vicryl. We assessed the effects of the three hemostatic methods in RRP by comparing the volumes of intraoperative blood loss and transfusion, operation time and perioperative levels of hemoglobin.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between groups A and B in age, PSA, Gleason score, clinical stage, prostate volume, operation time and perioperative hemoglobin levels (P>0.05). The volumes of intraoperative blood loss and transfusion were markedly higher in group A ([1103.00 +/- 528.03] ml and [482.00 +/- 364.60] ml) than in B ([528.00 +/- 258.96] ml and [140.00 +/- 266.28] ml) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIntraoperative blood loss in RRP could be significantly decreased by placing a prophylactic hemostatic suture in the distal position of DVC, continuous suture of the vascular bundle of the prostatic apex after cutting off the urethra, and placing a fine absorbable suture above NVB or continuous suture of the remained levator ani mony fascia and the deep layer of Denovilliers'fascia above the rectal serosa with absorbable sutures after freeing NVB.

Aged ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; prevention & control ; Hemostatic Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatectomy ; methods ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of alendronate tablets combined with alfacalcidolon capsules in the treatment of perimenopausal women with osteoporosis.Methods A total of 56 perimenopausal women with osteoporosis were randomly divided into control group and treatment group with 28 cases per group.Control group was treated with alfacalcidolon capsule 0.25 μg qd oral.Treatment group was given alendronate sodium tablet 70 mg qd oral,on the basis of control group.The chnical efficacy,serum aquaporin 1 (AQP1),matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2),bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP),type Ⅰ collagen C end peptide (CTX-Ⅰ)and adverse drug reactions were compared between two groups.Results After treatment,the total effective rates in treatment and control groups were 92.86％ (26/28 cases) and 71.43％ (20/28 cases) with significant difference (P ＜0.05).After treatment,the main indexes in treatment and control groups were compared:AQP1 were (23.53 ± 3.02),(30.65 ± 4.31) μg · L-1;MMP-2 were (60.37 ± 8.35),(66.45 ± 8.47) μg · L-1;BALP were (20.04±2.57),(24.38 ±3.32) pg · L-1;CTX-Ⅰ were (0.75 ±0.06),(0.83 ±0.09)ng · L-1,the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).The adverse drug reactions in treatment group were based on diarrhea and nausea,which in control group was based on diarrhea and nausea.The incidence of adverse drug reactions in two groups were 7.14％ without significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Alendronate tablets combined with alfacalcidolon capsules have a definitive clinical efficacy in the treatment of perimenopausal women with osteoporosis,which can significantly reduce the serum levels of AQP1,MMP-2,BALP and CTX-Ⅰ,without increasing the incidence of adverse drug reactions.

This study aims to develop inexpensive and effective experimental vaccines against highly pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus and to optimize their immunization programs. To this end, we first synthesized the codon-optimized hemagglutinin gene (HAop) and neuraminidase gene (NAop), both of which were derived from a H5N1 virus (Anhui strain), and constructed successfully the DNA vaccines containing a single cistronic construct (HAwt, HAop, or NAop) or a bicistronic construct (HAop/M2 or NAop/M1) of H5N1 influenza virus origin. Their expression was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) and Western blotting. Then twice vaccination of mice with the DNA vaccines by injection intramuscularly or in vivo electroporation (EP) via two different routes was evaluated and analyzed by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay, NA-specific antibody detection, micro-neutralizing antibody test and IFN-gamma ELISpot assay. Our results showed that the DNA vaccines with coden-optimized HAop and NAop constructs could quickly elicit a strong immune response by in vivo EP, especially the cellular immune response against HA and NA; the in vivo EP via intradermal route induced stronger humoral immune responses than those via intramuscular route. Our findings will pave a way for further development of novel DNA-based H5N1 vaccine and for the optimization of the immunization programs of DNA vaccine.
Animals ; Antigens, Viral ; immunology ; Codon ; genetics ; Electroporation ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccination ; methods ; Vaccines, DNA ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Viral Structural Proteins ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo assess the penile erectile function, urinary continence and voiding, and cancer recurrence in 18 bladder cancer patients after sexuality preserving cystectomy and Roux-y sigmoid neobladder reconstruction.

METHODSEighteen male patients with bladder cancer underwent sexuality preserving cystectomy and Roux-y sigmoid neobladder reconstruction, and were followed up for cancer recurrence and such clinical outcomes as erectile function and urinary continence and voiding.

RESULTSThe patients were followed up for an average of 41 months, of whom, all achieved day- and night-time urinary continence, but 2 with positive lymph nodes died of extensive metastasis at 10 and 15 months, respectively, after surgery. Among the total number, potency was maintained in 11 patients (61.1%), impaired in 2 and lost in 5, and the post-operative IIEF-5 score was (10.83 +/- 8.25) as compared with (13.72 +/- 6.39) before the operation, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONErectile function and urinary continence are fairly good in bladder cancer patients after sexuality preserving cystectomy and Roux-y sigmoid neobladder reconstruction, and the oncological results are fairly acceptable, but still need to be confirmed by longer follow-ups and larger trials.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colon, Sigmoid ; surgery ; Cystectomy ; Erectile Dysfunction ; prevention & control ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Penile Erection ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; surgery ; Urinary Incontinence ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo evaluate therapeutic effect and reliability of bipolar transurethral plasma kinetic prostatectomy (TUPKP) for high risk level benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSA total of 230 cases of high risk of BPH were treated with TUPKP. Among them, 132 cases with the residual urine of 40 to 420 ml had accepted long term but inefficient medical therapy, 98 cases were suffered with repeating acute urinary retention. One hundred and seventy-three cases with the functional capacity>4 MET were performed the standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), the other 57 cases with the functional capacity<4 MET were accepted the minimally invasive TURP. Among them 12 cases complicated with bladder stones accepted Ho: YAG lithotripsy priory. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS), The maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax) and residual urine of the 2 groups before and after operation were analyzed.

RESULTSThere was no transurethral resection syndrome occurred in both groups. After 3 to 12 months of follow-up postoperatively, the IPSS of the two groups were reduced from (21.9+/-5.7) and (23.7+/-5.0) to (4.4+/-2.3) and (5.5+/-2.4), residual urine were reduced from (61.8+/-18.4) ml and (103.9+/-77.3) ml to (13.0+/-6.2) ml and (15.8+/-6.1) ml, respectively. The Qmax was increased from (5.7+/-3.0) ml/s and (4.8+/-2.8) ml/s to (20.9+/-6.3) ml/s and (16.8+/-3.9) ml/s, there existed significant differences (P<0.01). However the IPSS, Qmax and residual urine of the standard group had progressed more obviously than the minimally invasive TURP group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIt is safe and effective to use TUPKP for treating high risk patients of BPH with classic TURP and minimally invasive TURP according to different functional capacity. When the functional capacity is more than 4 MET, the standard procedures is preferred.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protein expression, methylation promoter, somatic and germ-line mutations of E-cadherin gene (CDH1) in hereditary gastric cancer in China and to investigate its possible roles.

METHODSEight probands diagnosed with ICG-HGC criterion were enrolled in our database from June 1994 to October 2007. Tumor tissues were detected for CDH1 expression by using immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods. CDH1 DNA sequencing was performed for all its 16 exons both in tumor and normal tissues of the same patients to detect somatic and germ-line mutations. Methylation promoter study was performed by using specific primers and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods.

RESULTSIHC analysis confirmed that the CDH1 expression was negative in 7 probands and downregulated in the other on proband. Six mutations in five probands were found with DNA sequencing: two silent mutations and four missense mutations. All six mutations were absent in normal tissues, thereby excluded its presence in germ-line cells. Both DNA missense mutations and gene silencing through promoter methylation was found in 4 probands. Two probands has only promoter methylation and one proband had only silent mutation. No DNA missense mutations or promoter methylation was found in one proband.

CONCLUSIONSCDH1 gene germ-line mutations are relatively rare in hereditary gastric cancer in China, and whereas CDH1 somatic mutations and promoter methylation synergistically induce CDH1 downregulation in these patients.

Cadherins ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Germ-Line Mutation ; Humans ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics