OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of needle-pricking therapy, a newly medical and minimally invasive technique, for functional retrograde ejaculation and to explore its mechanism. Methods Thirty-six patients with functional retrograde ejaculation were randomly divided into an observation group(19 cases) and a control group(17 cases) In the observation group,needle-pricking therapy was used at Guanyuan(CV 4) and bilateral sacral plexus nerve,lumbar 1 nerve and greater occipital nerve stimulating points,once a week. In the control group, midodrine tablets were prescribed orally,three times a day. All the treatment was given for 9 weeks. The clinical effects of the two groups were observed, and the levels of luteinizing hormone(LH), testosterone(Tes) and estra4 diol(E2) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of the observation group was, 89. 47%(17/19), which was better than 47.06% (8/17) of the control group(P<0. 05). The LH and Tes were obviously increased and E2 was decreased compared with those before treatment in the observation group(all P< 0. 01). Tes was raised(P<0. 05) and E2 was apparently declined in the control group(P<0. 01). After treatment, the differences of serum LH and Tes were statistically significant between the two groups(both P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONNeedle-pricking therapy has advantages for functional retrograde ejaculation probably in that stimulating lumbosacral nerves can strengthen the function of pelvic floor muscles and urethral expansion muscle and regulate sexual gland axis.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Ejaculation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the relationship between occupational physical activity and peripheral arterial disease (PAD)assessed by ankle-brachial index (ABI). Methods Data including ABI,occupational physical activity intensity, health history, medication use, blood biochemistry and physical examinations derived from 16 446 subjects from 9 areas throughout China were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate adjusted logistic regression analysis were used for the data analyses. Results Occupational physical activity intensity was classified into 5 levels as jobless, very light, light, moderate and heavy intensity. With the increasing of physical activity intensity, the risk of PAD gradually decreased ( Ptrend <0. 05). In comparison with jobless group, the ORs of PAD for other groups were 0. 65 (95% CI:0. 52,0.82), 0.70 (95% CI:0.56, 0.87), 0.57 (95% CI:0.44, 0.73), 0.65 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.80)respectively. After adjusting for gender, age, smoke, obesity/overweight, the history of hypertension,hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke, the ORs were 1.02 (95% CI: 0. 80,1.31), 0.91 (95% CI:0.72, 1.15), 0. 92(95% CI:0. 70, 1.19), 0.90(95%CI:0.72, 1.12) (Ptrend <0. 05). Conclusion PAD risk reduced in proportion with increasing occupational physical activity.

Humanin(HN,its analogue [Gly14]-Humanin,HNG)was originally identified as an endogenous peptide that protects neuronal cells from apoptosis induced by various types of Alzheimer's disease-related insults.But the relative low content of this peptide in its natural sources limits its further characterization.An expression vector pET32a/HNG was corstructed and transformed it into E.coli BL21 trxB(DE3).HNG was expressed as a fusion protein in the soluble fraction and was purified by nickel affinity chromatography.Subsequently,the purified fusion protein was cleaved by enterokinase and was further purified by reverse-phase HPLC.A 23 mg recombinant HNG(rHNG)from 1 L bacterial culture was purified.The molecular weight of rHNG determined by ESI-MS was 2876.5 Da which was the expected size for correctly processed peptide.The N-terminal amino acid sequence of rHNG determined by Edman degradation method is identical to the theoretical sequence.Neuroprotective bioassay studies of rHNG exhibited its potential neuroprotective effect comparable to that of the natural HNG peptide.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of 3-(4-~(18)F-fluorobenzyl)-8,9-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrochromeno [3,4-c]pyridin-5-one ( is F-FDTP) as a potential dopamine D4 receptor PET imaging agent.Methods ~(18)F-FDTP solution in ethanol-physiological saline was incubated with calf serum to test its in vitro stability through the determination of radiochemical purity.Normal rats were injected intravenously with ~(18)F-FDTP and then sacrificed at 2,5,10,15,30,60 and 120 min after anesthesia.Blood,organs and brain tissue samples were collected.All samples were weighed and measured for radioactivity.The uptake of samples was expressed as percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue ( % ID/g).Results The stability of ~(18)F-FDTP was satisfactory and its radiochemical purity was above 95% after incubation 120 min at 37℃ in calf serum.The biodistribution showed that ~(18)F-FDTP could penetrate through the blood-brain barrier and selectively accumulate in striatum,hypothalamus,frontal certex,hippocampus,cerebellum,where the D_4 receptor was reportedly located.The radioactivities in hippocampus,hypothalamus,striatum,frontal cortex,cerebellum,pons were (0.42±0.03),(0.46±0.05),(0.54±0.04),(0.39±0.04),(0.45±0.06),(0.35±0.04) %ID/g,respectively,2 min post injection.And there was difference between the normal biodistribution results and the blocking experimental results:(0.36 ±0.05),( 0.33±0.05 ),(0.55±0.05 ),(0.30±0.07 ),(0.34±0.07 ) and (0.32±0.04) % ID/g in hippocampus,hypothalamus,striatum,frontal cortex,cerebellum and pons,respectively.Conclusions ~(18)F-FDTP can penetrate through the blood-brain barrier and selectively accumulate in striatum,hypothalamus,frontal cortex,hippocampus,cerebellum,where the D_4 receptor was known to concentrate.These preliminary results suggest that ~(18)F-FDTP is a potential dopamine D_4 receptor imaging agent and further studies are needed.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with high-normal blood pressure (HNBP).

METHODSThis study included 120 men with HNBP and another 120 with normal blood pressure (NBP) as controls. We analyzed the scores of the two groups on the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction 5 (IIEF-5).

RESULTSThe ED prevalence in the men with HNBP was 25.8%. After controlling for age, nationality, occupation, education, income, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, obesity, fatty liver, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood uric acid, the incidence of ED was 25.8% in the HNBP group, significantly higher than 14.2% in the NBP group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of ED is higher in men with HNBP than in those with NBP.

Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate and clarify the indications of breast reconstruction after mastectomy with various methods.

METHODSA clinical analysis was made, based on 44 patients with the 45 breasts who had received breast reconstruction after mastectomy in our hospital from 2003 to 2005. The methods of breast reconstruction included in tissue expander/implant (5 cases), implants covered by latissimus dorsi flap (13 cases), latissimus dorsi flap along (3 cases), DIEP flap (6 cases), TRAN flap (10 cases) and solid double-pedicle TRAM flap (8 cases).

RESULTSAll of the flaps survived well in total 40 patients (40 breasts) who were used a flap for breast reconstruction. Superficial skin necrosis occurred in 1 case with the method of tissue expander/implant; rupture of breast prosthesis and infection occurred in 1 case with the technique of implant with a latissimus dorsi flap; subcutaneous seroma occurred in 1 case with the method of DIEP flap; partial flap necrosis occurred in 2 cases with the method of TRAM flap. By the follow-ups of 3 - 12 months, the reconstructed breasts were well-shaped and there were no complications such as abdominal hernia.

CONCLUSIONSThese 6 methods for breast reconstruction achieved the satisfactory results for the requirement of breast reconstruction in Chinese women. With the development of plastic surgery technique, the indications of breast reconstruction were enlarged.

Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period

The government of the Song Dynasty paid high attention to develop the science of acupuncture and moxibustion, improved the position of acupuncture and moxibustion, specially made collation and systematization on ancient books of acupuncture and moxibustion, compiled monograph of acupuncture and moxibustion, set up acupuncture and moxibustion program and founded acupuncture bronze statue, launched experiment teaching and so on, which made acupuncture and moxibustion spread and be populated, accelerating the development and advancement of acupuncture and moxibustion sciences.
Acupuncture ; history ; China ; History, Medieval ; Moxibustion ; history

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Drug Users ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis E ; epidemiology ; virology ; Hepatitis E virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo prepare a biodegradable drug-eluting stent in myocardium channel and evaluate its effect on myocardium channel after transmyocardial revascularization (TMR).

METHODSA biodegradable drug-eluting stent was prepared using poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) as material of stent, model protein drug, and drug carrier respectively. The amount of BSA in stent and in vitro released BSA of stent were determined by the Coomassie brilliant blue assay. The mechanical strength of stent was tested by universal material testing machines. The material and structure of stent was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The effect of stent on myocardium channel after TMR was evaluated in vivo by a standard animal model of chronic myocardial ischemia in miniswine.

RESULTSThe stent could carry 13.1 microg BSA per mg of stent and the stent could release about 95% of BSA after 30 days. The stent diminished 80% of initial scale under the stress of 1.7 Mpa. It also kept the myocardium channel patency after TMR.

CONCLUSIONSA biodegradable drug-eluting stent in myocardium channel was successfully prepared. It can sustain the pressure from the heart and achieve the controlled release of drug. The stent can ensure the myocardium channel patency after TMR.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Caproates ; chemistry ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Delivery Systems ; instrumentation ; Heart ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lactones ; chemistry ; Myocardial Ischemia ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Myocardial Revascularization ; instrumentation ; Random Allocation ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

Study the transition factors of valuing acupuncture above moxibustion in Song, Jin and Yuan dynasties. The transition factors of valuing acupuncture above moxibustion in Song, Jin and Yuan dynasties are the breakthrough in pathogenesis theory and syndrome differentiation theory, the improvement of meridian theory, the flexible prescriptions, the widely practices of Chinese medicine in clinical settings, changes of diseases spectrum, the prevalence of heat diseases, the increase in trauma and fracture, and the limitations and disadvantages of moxibustion.
Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; China ; Drug Therapy ; history ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Moxibustion ; history