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

AIM: To screen the lentiviral vector carrying siRNA with higher efficiency of suppressing the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1P2) gene expression in the primarily cultured corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).METHODS: SHR and SD rats (n=5 each) were used for primarily culturing corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells.The cells were randomly divided into 6 groups: SHR siRNA-1, SHR siRNA-2, SHR siRNA-3, SHR GFP, SHR control (SHR non-transfection group), and SD control (SD rat control group).Each group had 5 samples with 1.0×105 cells of each sample.At 72 h after transfection (MOI=60) with lentiviral vectors carrying S1P2 siRNA into the SHR corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, the expression of GFP was observed under fluorescence microscope.The protein expression of S1P2, ROCK1, ROCK2 and eNOS in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, and the mRNA expression of S1P2, ROCK1 and ROCK2 were determined by by Western blot and RT-PCR.RESULTS: The transfection efficiency of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells in SHR siRNA-1, SHR siRNA-2, SHR siRNA-3 and SHR GFP groups were>80%.Compared with SHR control group, the mRNA levels and the protein expression of S1P2, ROCK1 and ROCK2 in SHR GFP group showed no remarkable changes, while those in SHR siRNA-1, SHR siRNA-2, SHR siRNA-3 and SD control groups were significantly lower than those in SHR control group (P<0.05).The protein expression of eNOS in SHR siRNA-1, SHR siRNA-2, SHR siRNA-3 and SHR GFP groups were not significantly changed as compared with SHR control group, but that in SD control group was significantly higher than that in SHR control group.CONCLUSION: Three groups of siRNA lentiviral vectors targeting S1P2 inhibit the expression of S1P2 in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of SHR, and by silencing the S1P2 expression, the expression of ROCK1 and ROCK2 is inhibited.Among them, siRNA-1 has the highest inhibitory efficiency.

Objective To study the distribution of IL-10 and TNF gene polymorphisms in patients with gastroduodenal diseases in Hubei Han ethnic and their association with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. Methods Six hundred and five patients with gastroduedenal diseases (196 chronic gastritis, 189 gastroduodenal ulcer and 220 gastric cancer) as well as 624 healthy controls were genotyped with PCR-RFLP method for IL-10-1082,-819,-592 and TNFα-308, lymphotoxin-α (LTα) Nco Ⅰ and AspH Ⅰ gene polymorphisms. Hp infection status was determined with ELLS& Results (1) There was significant difference of IL-10-1082 AG + GG genotype among the gastric cancer group with the non-malignant gastric diseases groups and healthy control group (P <0. 05). There was no significant difference of IL-10-592 and -819 gene polymorphisms among gastric cancer patients,non-malignant gastric disease patients and healthy controls (P>0. 05). The genotype frequencies of IL-10-819 were the same as those of IL-10-592. (2) Frequency of IL-10-1082 AG + GG genotype in gastric cancer patients with positive Hp was significantly higher than that in the other three groups (P < 0. 05). (3) Frequency of LTα Nco I AG genotype in gastric cancer patients with Hp infection was signiilcandy higher than that in Hp positive healthy controls (P < 0. 05). There were no other associations between TNFα-308, LTα Nco Ⅰ and AspH Ⅰ gene polymorphisms and Hp infection in gastroduodenal diseases. Conclusions (1) Allele AG + GG of IL-10-1082 was associated with gastric cancer in Han nationality of Hubei province. (2) IL-10-1082 AG + GG,LTct Nco ⅠAG heterozygous genotype may be associated with Hp infection in patients with gastric cancer in Han nationality of Hubei province.

Objective To study the abnormality of fiber tracts of limbic lobes using diffusion tensor imaging( DTI ) in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease . Methods DTI were obtained in 17 normal aging elderly control subjects and 17 patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease. Regions of interest were drawn to compare the fraction anisotropy (FA) of bilateral cingulate and fornix.Results FA values of the fornix and bilateral cingulate were significantly lower in mild Alzheimer’s disease than that in control subjects(P

Objective To evaluate the value of Multi-slice spiral CT angiography for spinal cord vessels.Methods 11 adult subjects with suspected of myelopathy were performed with Multi-slice spiral CT angiography,An iodine contrast agent was injected at 3.5 ml/s,for total 100 ml.The parameters were axial 16 slice mode,0.625 mm slice thickness,0.8 s rotation,delay time depending on smartprep (15—25 s), multi-phase scan.The coronal and sagittal MPR and SSD were generated on a workstation compared with spinal digital subtraction angiography (DSA) to analyze normal or abnormal spinal cord vessels.Results Normal findings at spinal CTA and digital subtraction angiography in six adult normal subjects and spinal cord vascular malformations( 1 intradural extramedullary AVF,4 dural AVFs) in five cases,Recognizable intradural vessels corresponding to anterior median (midline) veins and/or anterior spinal arteries were show in six adult normal subjects.Abnormal intradural vessels were detected in all five spinal cord vascular malformation with CT angiography ,in comparison with digital subtraction angiography these vessels were primarily enlarged veins of the coronal venous plexus on the cord surface,radiculomedullary-dural arteries could not be clearly shown in four dural AVF,only one anterior spinal artery was detected in one patient with intradural medullary AVF,which direct shunt between anterior spinal artery and perimedullary vein with tortuous draining vessel.Conclusion Multi-slice CT angiography is able to visualize the normal or abnormal spinal cord vessels.It could be used as a noninvasive method to screen the spinal cord vascular disease.

·AlM: To explore the treatment effect of initial lacrimal passage irrigation and probing in neonatal dacryocystitis. · METHODS: ln this retrospective case series study, 224 outpatients ( 256 eyes ) with neonatal dacryocystitis were selected from January 2012 to December 2012 in our hospital.The patients were divided into 5 groups ( 1 ~3mo, 4~60mo, 7 ~9mo, 10 ~12mo and >12mo).lnitial lacrimal passage irrigation and probing were operated, the therapeutic effect of different groups were compared. ·RESULTS:ln this study, 256 eyes of 224 cases, 242 eyes (94.5%) were cured and 14 eyes ( 5.5%) were failed. Bony nasolacrimal duct obstruction happened more obviously in children aged more than 10mo with lower cure rate.More probing was required with the children aged (Spearman rank correlation analysis, γs=0.746, P<0.01).All of the 226 eyes with Hasner valve obstruction were cured.Bony nasolacrimal duct obstruction was 30 eyes, 16 eyes were cured (the cure rate was 53.3%).The cure rate of two parts of the obstruct had significant difference.There were no cases of infection and false passage.
· CONCLUSlON: The treatment of primary lacrimal passage irrigation and probing in neonatal daryocystitisis effective and safe, the optimal timing of treatment is 1 ~9mo.With the growth of age, the cure rate is decreased.

Depression is a common emotional disorder that seriously affects people's life and health all over the world. The pathogenesis of depression is complex, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for antidepressants has a good therapeutic effect because of its multi-component, multi-pathway, and multi-target action mode. At present, the anti-depressive mechanism of TCM has not been fully clarified, but it is clear that depression is closely related to metabolic health. Therefore, in order to further explore the anti-depressive mechanism of TCM, this paper proposes research strategies on the anti-depressive mechanism of TCM based on functional metabolomics from the perspective of metabolism, the potential biomarkers of depression are analyzed with the help of multi-omics combined analysis technology, and the functional molecules of TCM for antidepressant are studied. Molecular biology techniques are used to accurately capture the molecular interactions between biomarkers of depression and functional compounds, which identify effective drug targets and further elucidate the biochemical functions and related mechanisms involved in depression metabolic disorders. This paper systematically reviews the research strategies and applications of functional metabolomics in the anti-depressive mechanisms of TCM, expounds on the core value of functional metabolomics, and summarizes the current research status and hot issues of TCM for antidepressants in recent years, providing new methods and new ideas for the study of mechanisms of TCM with the help of functional metabolomics.

To investigate the effects of fluoride on the expression of thyroglobulin (TG),thyroid peroxidase(TPO),odium iodide symporter (NIS) genes in FRTL cells,FRTL cells cultured in vitro were treated in logarithmic phase with sodium fluoride at different concentration of 20.0,10.0,5.0,2.5,1.25 mg/L,respectively.After 72 h,the cells were collected and semi-quantitative RT-PCR for TG mRNA,TPO mRNA and NIS mRNA and β-actin was performed.The results showed that compared with the control cells,the expression levels of TG gene in FRTL cells treated with lower concentration of sodium fluoride increased compensatively,but decreased significantly (P<0.05) with higher concentration(>5.0 mg/L);the RT-PCR products of TPO and NIS in FRTL cells treated with all concentration of sodium fluoride reduced,some of them were significant (P<0.05).It is concluded that fluoride can reduce the expression of TG,TPO,NIS genes in thyroid cells,conseguently cause dysfunction" of thyroid in uptaking and unilizing of iodine,and synthesizing,storing,secreting of thyroid hormones.

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of rats with chronic renal failure (CRF) , and investigate the role of HO-2 in penile erection and its association with testosterone.

METHODSFifteen 10-week-old SD rats underwent 5/6 kidney removal for the establishment of CRF models, and another 15 included as controls. Twelve weeks later, both the two groups of animals were subjected to electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve for the detection of intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the protein contents of HO-2, nNOS and eNOS in the penile tissues were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTSThe ICPmax/MAP after 3 V and 5 V stimulation of the cavernous nerve was (0.121 +/- 0.084) and (0.135 +/- 0.088), the serum testosterone level was (1.190 +/- 0.946) nmol/L, and the expression of HO-2 was (0.510 +/- 0.397) in the CRF group, all significantly lower than in the control rats, which were (0.263 +/- 0.147 and 0.244 +/- 0.089), (7.800 +/- 5.001) nmol/L (P<0.01) and (2.672 +/- 1.720, P<0.01), respectively. There was a correlation between the decrease of HO-2 expression and the reduction of serum testosterone (r = 0.902, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe lowered level of serum testosterone and decreased contents of HO-2, eNOS and nNOS may play a role in CRF-induced ED.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Erectile Dysfunction ; complications ; physiopathology ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; biosynthesis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; biosynthesis ; Penis ; enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIM:To investigate the characteristics of Ets-1 and VEGF expression and distribution in the experimental diabetic rat retina.METHODS:Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ).At 4 weeks after STZ-injection,animals were sacrificed.Total proteins were isolated from retinas of experimental and control eyes and were assessed by Western blot analysis.Frozen cross sections of eyeballs with 14um thickness were used to perform double immunoffuorescence staining with anti-Ets-1 and anti-VEGF antibodies.RESULTS:Both Ets-1 and VEGF expression were up-regulaled in the diabetic retina,the distribution of Ets-1 and VEGF was identical to each other,and the two proteins were almostlocalized in all retinal layers.CONCLUSION:Ets-1 might contribute to the pathologic progress of the diabetic retina induced by VEGF.