OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of testosterone undecanoate (TU) in the treatment of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) by meta-analysis.

METHODSWe searched Pubmed (until April 1, 2014), Embase (until March 28, 2014), Cochrane Library (until April 17, 2014), CBM (from January 1, 2001 to February 2, 2014), CNKI (from January 1, 2001 to February 2, 2014), Wanfang Database (from January 1, 2000 to February 2, 2014), and VIP Database (from January 1, 2000 to Febru ary 2, 2014) for randomized controlled trials of TU for the treatment of LOH. We evaluated the quality of the identified literature and performed meta-analysis on the included studies using the Rveman5. 2 software.

RESULTSTotally, 14 studies were included after screening, which involved 1 686 cases. Compared with the placebo and blank control groups, TU treatment significantly increased the levels of serum total testosterone (SMD = 6.22, 95% CI 3.99 to 8.45, P < 0.05) and serum free testosterone (SMD = 4.35, 95% CI 1.86 to 6. 85, P < 0.05) but decreased the contents of luteinizing hormone (WMD = -2.23, 95% CI -4.03 to -0.42, P < 0.05), sex hormone binding globulin (WMD = 2.00, 95% CI 1.38 to 2.63, P < 0.05). TU also remarkably reduced the scores of Partial Androgen Deficiency of the Aging Males (WMD = -9.49, 95% CI -12.96 to -6.03, P < 0.05) and Aging Males Symptoms rating scale (WMD = -2.76, 95% CI -4.85 to -0.66, P <0.05) but increased the hemoglobin level (SMD = 2.35, 95% CI 0.29 to 4.41, P < 0.05) and packed-cell volume (SMD = 4.35, 95% CI 1.36 to 7.33, P < 0.05). However, no significant changes were shown in aspertate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, prostate-specific antigen, or prostate volume after TU treatment (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTU could significantly increase the serum testosterone level and improve the clinical symptoms of LOH patients without inducing serious adverse reactions. However, due to the limited number and relatively low quality of the included studies, the above conclusion could be cautiously applied to clinical practice.

Androgens ; therapeutic use ; Hemoglobin A ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; blood ; drug therapy ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; pharmacology

Fosfomycin (FOM) is an antibiotic with a small relative molecular weight (138.1) and a long half-life, and has a unique chemical structure and antibacterial mechanisms. It exerts a bactericidal activity by inhibiting the early synthesis of bacterial cell walls. It is also a broad-spectrum antibiotic with a good drug tolerance and compliance and a low pressure to bacterial resistance, but no cross-resistance with other antibiotics. Recent studies show the effectiveness of FOM in the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections and urogenital tract infections as well, such as prostatitis and epididymitis. This review focuses on the clinical application of FOM in the treatment of infectious diseases of the urogenital tract.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Epididymitis ; drug therapy ; Fosfomycin ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Male Urogenital Diseases ; drug therapy ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; Urinary Tract Infections ; drug therapy

Objective To investigate CT appearances of abdominal primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma(MFH).Methods The CT characteristics,clinical features and pathological data of 1 7 patients with MFH proved pathologically were analyzed retrospectively. Results The lesions located in retroperitoneum were 6,in liver were 5,in kidney were 2,in superior mesentery was 1,in greater omentum was 1,in stomach was 1,in ileum was 1.The lesions are oval shape,lobulated,nodule shape,and the size of these lesions were large. 2 cases of MFH located in gastrointestinal tract were slightly low density,and the remaining were uneven high density due to necro-sis.In CT contrast enhanced scan,the solid portion and internal divisions showed progressive or continuous enhancement,and the nec-rosis were not enhanced in MFH located in the retroperitoneum,the greater omentum,the superior mesentery and the liver.MFH in kidney was poorly circumscribed and showed mild progressive enhancement lower than normal renal parenchyma.The stomach and ileum lesions showed uniform and continuous enhancement with normal gastrointestinal mucosa in corresponding parts.Conclusion Imaging features of retroperitoneal MFH were the same as those of interstitial tumors,and most tumors showed features of progres-sive and persistent enhancement,but have different imaging appearances with the malignant lesions in corresponding parts.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect and safety of L-carnitine in the treatment of idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia based on current clinical evidence.

METHODSWe searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CNKI, VIP, CBM and Wanfang Database from the establishment to April 2014 for the published literature on the treatment of idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia with L-carnitine. We conducted literature screening, data extraction, and assessment of the methodological quality of the included trials according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, followed by statistical analysis with the RevMan 5. 2 software.

RESULTSSeven randomized controlled trials involving 751 patients with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia met the inclusion criteria, and 678 of them were included in the meta-analysis. L-carnitine treatment achieved a significantly increased rate of spontaneous pregnancy as compared with the control group (RR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.74 to 5.87, P = 0.0002). After 12-16 and 24-26 weeks of medication, total sperm motility (WMD = 5.21, 95% CI 2.78 to 7.64, P < 0.0001 and WMD = 9.29, 95% CI 1.28 to 17.29, P = 0.02) and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (WMD = 12.44, 95% CI 4.58 to 20.31, P = 0.002 and WMD = 9.76, 95% CI 3.56 to 15.97, P = 0.002) were remarkably higher than those in the control group, but no statistically significant differences were observed in sperm concentration between the two groups (WMD = 4.91, 95% CI -2.63 to 12.45, P = 0.2 and WMD = 0.93, 95% CI -3.48 to 5.34, P = 0.68). After 12-16 weeks of treatment, the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm was markedly decreased in the L-carnitine group as compared with the control (WMD = -2.48, 95% CI -4.35 to -0.61, P = 0.009), but showed no significant difference from the latter group after 24-26 weeks (WMD = -4.38, 95% CI -9.66 to 0.89, P = 0.1). No statistically significant difference was found in the semen volume between the two groups after 12-16 or 24-26 weeks of medication (WMD = -0.13, 95% CI -0.43 to 0.18, P = 0.42 and WMD = 0.28, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.58, P = 0.07). No serious L-carnitine-related adverse events were reported in 4 of the randomniized controlled trials.

CONCLUSIONThe current evidence indicates that L-carnitine can improve spontaneous pregnancy and semen parameters in the treatment of idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia, with no serious adverse reactions.

Asthenozoospermia ; drug therapy ; Carnitine ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility

OBJECTIVETo explore the impacts of Yishen Jiangzhuo Granule (YJG) on peripheral blood B-cells and regulatory T-cells (Treg) in patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI).

METHODSFifty-three CRI patients were randomly assigned to two groups, the control group and the YJG group. Before and after treatment, the following parameters in blood were detected: the peripheral Treg, percentage (CD19+), activation rate (CD19+ CD69+) and apoptotic rate (AV) of B-lymphocyte by flow cytometry; cytokines (IL-6 and IL-10) by CBA stream protein analyzing system; high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) by scattering turbidimetric analysis; homocysteine (Hcy) by end-point method; hemoglobin (HGB) content by Beckman-Coulter hemo-analyser; blood contents of Ca, phosphate (P), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (SCr) and plasma albumin (Alb) by automatic biochemical analyser; and urinary contents of creatinine (UCr) by inverse HPLC. Then the product of calcium-phosphate (Ca x P) was calculated based on blood contents of Ca2 and P and the clearance rate of endogenous creatinine (CCr) was calculated based on blood BUN and SCr.

RESULTSAfter treatment CD19+ and CCr significantly increased (P < 0.01), but AV and SCr decreased in both groups (P < 0.01), with the changes in the YJG group were more significant than those in the control group (P < 0.05); levels of CD19+ CD69+, Treg, IL-6, IL-10, CRP, BUN, P and Ca x P showed no significant change (P > 0.05); levels of Ca2+, HGB and Alb increased as well as of Hcy in both groups (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis: There were negative correlation in CD19+ with AV and Hcy; Alb with AV and Hcy; CCr with CRP, SCr and BUN, while positive correlation existed in SCr with CRP and BUN; and CRP with BUN.

CONCLUSIONSYJG can improve renal function, and delay the progress of renal failure, and it also shows the regulatory effect on B lymphocytes by lowering the apoptosis rate and improving the percentage of CD19+ in patients.

Adult ; Aged ; B-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the association of radial arterial calcification damage with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism biomarkers in uremia patients.Methods Sixty-seven incident hemodialysis patients were recruited into uremic group.Serum creatinine,calcium,phosphorus,lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD were measured.Parathyroid hormone (iPTH),25OHD,1,25(OH)2D,fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23,bone specific alkaline phosphates (BAP) and osteocalcin (BGP),type Ⅰ collagen pyridine crosslinked C-telopcptidc (ICTP) were detected.Radial artery calcification was analyzed by von Kossa staining and transmission electron microscopy.Arterial type Ⅰ collagen (Col Ⅰ) expression was examined.Twenty-three healthy cases received serum and BMD examination only as control.Results Uremic patients presented higher serum phosphate,iPTH,FGF23,lower serum calcium,25OHD,1,25 (OH)2D (all P ＜ 0.05),and lower lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD (all P ＜ 0.01) compared to controls.Significant calcium deposit was observed in radial arteries in 24 uremic cases (35.8％),including 10 cases of diabetes.Immunohistochemistric assay confirmed that Col Ⅰ expression increased around calcification site and electron microscope revealed that more calcium and phosphorus plaque attached among collagen fibers.No correlation was showed between iPTH and radial artery calcification (r =-0.08,P =0.306),but after stratified by iPTH levels,correlation of iPTH and calcification was found in low iPTH (＜ 150 ng/L) group and high iPTH group (＞ 300 ng/L) (r =-0.41,0.31,P=0.044,0.023).Diabetes,lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD,ICTP,FGF23 were correlated with arterial calcification (r =0.62,-0.25,-0.43,0.34,0.86,P =0.000,0.001,0.012,0.018,0.000).Multiple regression analysis showed femoral neck BMD,ICTP,FGF23 levels were independently associated with radial arterial calcification (β =-0.221,0.181,0.260,P =0.021,0.024,0.036).Conclusion In uremic patients,reduced BMD,abnormal bone turnover rate,especially accelerated bone reabsorption,and increased serum FGF23 level are independently associated with radial artery calcification.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin (GSP) on spermatogenesis following testicular torsion/detorsion in mice.

METHODSTwenty-four healthy male Kunming mice, aged 8 weeks and weighing 25 - 27 g, were randomly divided into a control, a torsion and a treatment group, each containing 8 animals. The unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion model was established in the treatment and torsion groups. Thirty minutes before detorsion, the animals of the treatment group were injected intraperitoneally with 50 mg/kg GSP, and those of the torsion group with normal saline at the same dose, both for 3 days postoperatively. On the 4th day after surgery, ipsilateral orchiectomy were performed to detect histopathological changes, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the apoptotic index (AI) of germ cells in all the mice.

RESULTSCompared with the torsion group, the treated mice showed significantly increased Johnsen score (5.00 +/- 1.85 vs 7.38 +/- 0.92, P < 0.05), seminiferous tubule diameter ([176.50 +/- 1.60]microm vs [178.75 +/- 1.58] microm, P > 0.05), spermatogenic cell layers (3.75 +/- 1.03 vs 5.75 +/- 0.71, P < 0.05) and SOD activity ([29.04 +/- 4.46] U/mg prot vs [52.67 +/- 3.57] U/mg prot, P < 0.05), but remarkably reduced level of MDA ([4.63 +/- 0.05] nmol/mg prot vs [2.91 +/- 0.04] nmol/mg prot, P < 0.05) and AI of germ cells ([40.50 +/- 1.60]% vs [16.25 +/- 1.67] %, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGrape seed proanthocyanidin has a protective effect against spermatogenic injury in mice, the mechanisms of which may be related to its actions of scavenging oxygen free radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and improving the antioxidant ability of the body.

Animals ; Grape Seed Extract ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Proanthocyanidins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Vitis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Compound Qingqin Liquid (CQL) on the expression level of angiotensin II (Ang II) and COX-2 mRNA transcription and protein expression in the renal tissue of rats with uric acid nephropathy.

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, the model group, the positive drug group, the high, moderate, and low dose CQL group according to number randomization principle. The model was established by gastrogavage of adenine, accompanied with yeast feeding. Distilled water was given by gastrogavage to rats in the blank control group and the model group. Allopurinol at the daily dose of 9.33 mg/kg was given by gastrogavage to rats of the positive control group. CQL at the daily dose of 3.77 g/kg, 1.89 g/kg, and 0.09 g/kg was respectively given by gastrogavage to rats in the high, moderate, and low dose CQL groups. All treatment lasted for 6 weeks. Rats were randomly divided at week 4 (3 in the blank control group, and 6 in the rest groups), and the rest rats were killed at week 6. The renal tissue was extracted. The expression level of Ang II and COX-2 mRNA transcription were detected by RT-PCR. The expression level of Ang II was detected by ELISA. The expression level of COX-2 protein was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, except the mRNA expression of Ang II at week 4, the mRNA and protein expression of Ang II and COX-2 obviously increased at week 4 and 6 in the model group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The COX-2 protein expression at week 4 was obviously lower in the high and moderate dose CQL groups than in the model group and the low dose CQL group (P < 0.05); the average integral of optical density value was obviously lower in the positive control group than in the model group. Except the mRNA expression of Ang II in the high dose CQL group at week 6, the mRNA and protein expression of Ang II obviously decreased in the positive control group and each dose CQL group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Of them, the effects were better in the high and moderate dose CQL groups than in the positive control group and the low dose CQL group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Besides, the mRNA expression of COX-2, the average integral of optical density value were obviously lower in the positive control group and each dose CQL group than in the model group (P < 0.05). The protein expression of COX-2 was obviously lower in the high and moderate dose CQL groups than in the model group (P < 0.05). Of them, the mRNA expression of COX-2 was better in the moderate dose CQL group than in the positive control group (P < 0.05); the protein expression of COX-2 was better in the high dose CQL group than in the low dose CQL group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCQL was capable of lowering the expression level of Ang II, COX-2 mRNA transcription and protein expression, thus suppressing the inflammatory pathological injury of the renal tissue.

Angiotensin II ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uric Acid

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effect of natural vitamin E (VitE) on oligospermia and asthenospermia in in- fertile men.

METHODSWe conducted a prospective multi-centered randomized controlled study on 64 infertile men with oligospermia (31 as controls treated with Tamoxifen 10 mg bid and 33 as experimental cases treated with Tamoxifen 10 mg bid + VitE 100 mg tid) and 42 cases of asthenospermia (20 as controls treated with Levocarnitine oral solution 1 bottle bid and 22 as experimental cases treated with Levocarnitine oral solution 1 bottle bid + VitE 100 mg tid). We compared the control and experimental groups in sperm concentration and percentage of progressively motile sperm before and 3 months after medication, as well as the rate of clinical pregnancy and adverse events.

RESULTSAmong the oligospermia patients, the average sperm concentrations in the control and experimental groups were 8.00 x 10(6)/ml and 10.66 x 10(6)/ml before medication (P > 0.05). After medication, the numbers of cases evaluated as with no, slight, moderate and marked improvement in sperm concentration were 10 and 9 (P > 0.05), 16 and 14 (P > 0.05), 5 and 4 (P > 0.05) and 0 and 0 (P >0.05); and the numbers of natural pregnancies were 0 and 6 in the control and experimental groups (P < 0.01). Among the asthenospermia patients, the average rates of progressively motile sperm were 17.00% and 18.10% in the control and experimental groups before medication (P > 0.05). After medication, the numbers of cases evaluated as with no, slight, moderate and marked improvement in the percentage of progressively motile sperm were 7 and 2 (P < 0.01), 4 and 8 (P < 0.01), 3 and 2 (P > 0.05) and 1 and 1 (P > 0.05), and the numbers of natural pregnancies were 5 and 9 in the two groups (P < 0.01), but no adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONAs a safe and effective adjuvant agent for the treatment of oligospermia and asthenospermia, vitamin E can improve sperm concentration, the percentage of progressively motile sperm, and finally the rate of natural pregnancy.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; drug therapy ; Carnitine ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligospermia ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Prospective Studies ; Tamoxifen ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin E ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Objective:To analyze the supervision mode and problems of intensive countywide medical communities and explore the methods and strategies to improve their supervision system.Methods:From March 2022 to May 2022, a stratified random sampling method was used and the intensive countywide medical communities in the province were selected for field study. In-depth interviews were made with the staff of the healthcare administration departments and health insurance agencies affiliated with intensive countywide medical communities, directors of general hospitals, directors of township hospitals, and heads of functional departments. These interviews mainly covered the principal entities of countywide medical community supervision, supervision measures and contents, supervision effects, supervision weaknesses, and how to improve internal and external supervision mechanisms. The interviews results were analyzed using thematic framework analysis and the data were subject to a descriptive analysis.Results:23 persons of five intensive countywide medical communities were selected for key person interview. The finalized framework of regulatory elements of intensive countywide medical communities consists of such five general themes as regulatory subjects, regulatory content, regulatory measures, regulatory effectiveness and existing problems, comprising 14 level-1 indicators and 52 level-2 indicators. The main regulatory bodies were mainly government departments (15 times), the regulatory content was focused on medical resources (10 times), the regulatory measures cover specific regulations (4 times), specific activities (4 times) and assessment and evaluation (4 times). And the regulatory effectiveness demonstrated a currently strong regulation strength of medical communities (5 times), and the existing problems were insufficient government supervision (12 times), difficulties encountered by social forces in their supervision (11 times) and internal governance (5 times).Conclusions:The supervision system of intensive countywide medical communities should be optimized by improving the governmental supervision mechanism, inviting supervision of social forces and building an effective internal governance.