Based on detailed analysis of the status of and problems in the use and management of implantable medical devices and equipment in clinical departments of hospital, we propose some clinically operable solving strategies and methods. It is important to further regulate the use and management of implantable medical devices for timely and safe use the devices in clinical departments.

Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is a clinical and bio-chemical syndrome associated with advancing age in males and seriously affects the quality of life of some of the patients. A classical therapeutic option for LOH is testosterone supplementary treatment (TST). Its effectiveness has been verified, whereas its long-term safety remains to be further evaluated. With deeper insights into LOH, many new therapeutic strategies have been proposed, which include the treatments with gonadotropins, testosterone precursors (such as dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA]), non-aromatizable androgens (such as dihydrotestosterone [DHT]), antiestrogens (such as aromatase inhibitors and estrogen receptor antagonists), and Chinese medicine. Meanwhile, studies on the transplantation of Leydig stem cells, selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), and selective estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) agonists have shed new light on the treatment of LOH.
Humans ; Hypogonadism ; drug therapy ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Testosterone ; therapeutic use

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of fluoxetine (FLX) on the expressions of BDNF and Bcl-2 in the hippocampus, the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex of conditioned fear (CF) model mice. Forty eight mice were randomly divided into three groups, normal control group, CF stress group and FLX-pretreated CF group. The FLX-pretreated CF group was given FLX (10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for 7 days before CF stress. After CF stress model was established, all mice were given behavioral experiments to test whether FLX impaired or improved the auditory and contextual fear conditioning. Then mice were sacrificed. The expressions of BDNF and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blotting. The results showed that the freezing time of FLX-pretreated CF group was significantly lower than that of CF group; FLX pretreatment up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 in the hippocampus at 1 d after CF stress (P < 0.001), but no significant differences was observed at 7 d; BDNF significantly increased in the hippocampus at 7 d (P < 0.001), but no differences at 1 d; the expressions of BDNF and Bcl-2 in the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex were of no obvious differences between CF group and FLX-pretreated CF group at 1 d or 7 d after CF stress. Parallel to these changes, pretreatment with FLX could affect histopathologic changes induced by CF stress. Furthermore, the results indicated that FLX pretreatment could protect against CF stress-induced neurological damage via the activation of BDNF and Bcl-2 in hippocampus.
Amygdala ; metabolism ; Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Fear ; drug effects ; Fluoxetine ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Prefrontal Cortex ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Stress, Psychological ; metabolism

Adolescent ; Attention ; drug effects ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Child ; Electroencephalography ; drug effects ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Psychomotor Performance ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on vascular endothelial cell function and vasoactive substances in essential hypertensive patients without hyperlipemia. Methods Sixty-five essential hypertensive(EH) patients without hyperlipemia were enrolled and randomly divided into atorvastatin group and conventional treatment group(oral taken atorvastatin or placebo once every night in addition of routine antihypertensive drugs).Twenty five healthy subjects were also recruited as control.All cases were followed up for eight weeks.Serum cholesterol,nitric oxide(NO),emdothelin-1(ET-1),vonWillebrand-factor(vWF) levels were determined in each case.Flow-medizted dilation(FMD) was determined by high-resolution ultrasonography before and after eight weeks atorvastatin medication.Results (1)Before treatment,the FMD and NO levels of EH group were significantly lower than those of control group(P＜0.01),while the ET-1 and vWF levels of EH group were significantly higher than those of control group(P＜0.01);(2)In EH patients,the FMD and NO levels significantly increased after treatment and increased even more dramatically in atorvastatin group,when compared to conventional treatment group(Ps＜0.01);(3)In EH patients,the ET-1 and vWF levels significantly decreased after treatment and decreased even more dramatically in atorvastatin group,when compared to conventional treatment group(Ps＜0.01).Conclusion In patients of EH without hyperlipemia,atorvastatin can decrease plasma levels of ET-1,vWF,while increase plasma NO concentration and improve vascular endothelial function.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a most common inherited renal disease, about 50% with a family history, although the exact etiology not yet clear. To date, ADPKD, a multisystem disorder without effective preventive and therapeutic means, has been shown to be detrimental to human health. Recent studies show that severe oligoasthenozoospermia, necrospermia, immotile sperm, azoospermia, epididymal cyst, seminal vesicle cyst, and ejaculatory duct cyst found in male ADPKD patients may lead to male infertility, though the specific mechanisms remain unknown. Structural anomaly of spermatozoa, defect of polycystin, mutation of PKD genes, and micro-deletion of the AZF gene could be the reasons for the higher incidence of abnormal semen quality in male ADPKD patients. Assisted reproductive techniques can increase the chances of pregnancy, whereas the health of the offspring should be taken into consideration. This article presents an overview of reproductive issues concerning infertile male ADPKD patients from the perspective of the morbidity, pathophysiological mechanism, diagnosis, and management of the disease.
Cysts ; pathology ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; physiopathology ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male ; Mutation ; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Semen Analysis ; Spermatozoa ; pathology

Objective To investigate and analyze the postoperative progression of ossification of the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) on cervical spine. Methods From Jaunary 2001 to December 2007, 95 postoperative patients with cervical OPLL were followed and analyzed retrospectively. There are 72 males, 23 females, with the average age of 56.3 years (range, 40-73years). The follow-up time was from 1 to 6 years, average 3.1 years. Among them 36 patients were performed with anterior cervical corpectomy, fusion with titanium mesh and fixed with cervical plates, others treated with posterior cervical laminectomy and fixation. 2 of the 95 cases were performed anterior and posterior combined operation. Clinical data, X-rays, CT and MR images and progression of ossification, were measured and analyzed in details .The relationships between the progression of ossification and relative factors, as gender, age, C3 ossified involved, T-OPLL, OPLL-type, time of follow-up, surgical approach, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores and improvement rate of JOA scores, were analyzed. Results Progression of ossification in 39 cases among the 95 followed postoperative OPLL patients, 28 men and 11 women, average age 55.9 years, range 41-71 years. The age of progressed patients included 12 cases of ≤49 years, 12of 50-59 years, 12 of 60-69 years and 3 of ≥70 years. 35 patients were operated by posterior approach and only 4 treated with anterior operation. According to the standard of the progression of ossification that 2 mm in the length or/and thickness, there are 4 cases progressed only in length, 2 only in thickness, other 33 patients both the length and thickness. Progression of length is from 2mm to 20mm (average 7.74±4.71). But thickness is progressed from 2 mm to 6 mm (average 2.67±1.51). From 1 to 3 years follow-up time it appeard as a downtrend about the progression of ossification. But it may appear an uptrend from the 4th year. JOA score and improvement rate of the JOA score were almost improved to the high-point in three years. And according to the statistic data there are obvious relationship between progression of ossification with age, surgical approach and C3 ossified involved. Conclusion There is a high rate of postoperative ossification progression in cervical OPLL patients. Cervical OPLL patients with C3 ossification involved, performed with posterior laminectomy and those young at surgery may have higher rate of progression of the ossification. The JOA score and improvement rate of the JOA score were little influenced by the progression of the OPLL during the short and intermediate-term follow-up.

Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; prevention & control ; Health Services Administration ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive vascular ultrasound is used to assess in tima-media thickness (IMT) and atheromatous plaque, of which the result is better correlated to that of pathological examination. OBJECTIVE: Non-invasive vascular ultrasound was used to assess the hemodynamical changes of external and internal carotid in hypertensive elders, so as to investigate the relationship between pulse pressures, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), vascular resistance index (VRI) and shearing ratio. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, correlative analyzedstudy. SETTING: Ultrasound Department of Affiliated Hospital of Jiangshu University. PARTICIPANTS: Totally 54 hypertensive elders, including 33 males and 21 females, were recruited from the Ultrasound Department of Affiliated Hospital of Jiangshu University, from September 30th 2000 to March 30th 2002. Meanwhile 26 normotensive elders (systolic pressure ＜ 130 mm Hg and/or diastolic pressure ＜ 85 mm Hg), including 16 males and 10 females, were selected as controls, METHODS: Color duplex blood flow imaging technique was used to assess the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and the interventricular septum thickness (IVST), so as to calculate the LVMI. The insiddiameter of bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) and internal carotid,IMT, the systolic peak flow velocity and resistance index were measured in order to calculate the vascular shearing ratio and atheromatous plaque index,moreover arterial pressure, LVMI, as well as resistance index and shearing ratio were subjected to linear correlative analysis,of which the results were compared with that of control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Pulse pressure, LVMI and atheromatous plaque index of CCA. ② The inside diameter of bilateral CCA and internal carotid, IMT and the systolic peak flow velocity and resistance index were measured in order to calculate the atheromatous plaque index and maximum vascular shearing ratio. RESULTS: According to the experimental objective,data of all 80 cases were analyzed without loss. ① The pulse pressure and LVMI, the incidence of atheromatous plaque and plaque index of CCA in hypertensive elder group were obviously higher than that of control group [(64.36±7.44) mm Hg,(45.78±8.72) mm Hg; (131.47±18.73) g/m2, (83.28±12.34) g/m2; 5.62 ±1.78,3.44±1.10; 66.7％, 23.1％, (x2=13.37, t=5.730-13.234, P ＜ 0.01)]. ② The inside diameter of bilateral CCA and internal carotid, IMT and resistance index in hypertensive elders were significantly higher than that of control group [CCA: (8.96±1.20) mm, (8.08±0.96) mm; (1.28±0.88) mm, (0.91±0.17) mm;0.75±0.05, 0.69±0.06; ICA: (6.82±1.12) mm, (5.72±0.92) mm; (1.06±0.17) mm,(0.76±0.15) mm; 0.70±0.07, 0.64±0.06, t=2.872-10.850, P ＜ 0.01], but the systolic peak flow velocity and shearing ratio were markedly lower than that of control group [CCA: (47.44±12.85) cm/s, (60.20±14.32) cm/s;(225.78 ±95.76)/s, (300.26 ±110.42)/s. ICA: (41.22 ±10.18) cm/s,(48.64±11.58) cm/s; (268.54±112.56)/s, (324.52±121.42)/s, t=2.872-10.850, P ＜ 0.01]. ③ The pulse pressure, LVMI, the resistance index of CCA and ICA and shearing ratio were linearly correlated (r=0.30-0.36, P ＜ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pulse pressure and LVMI were found increased in hypertensive elders, together with carotid vessels dilated, IMT and resistance index increased, as well as shearing ratio decreased, atheromatous plaque formed, vascular stiffness increased, which resulted in consequently decrease of vascular compliance.

Saw palmetto fruit extract (SPE), as a herbal product, is widely used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Recent studies show that SPE also has some therapeutic effects on chronic prostatitis, prostate cancer, sexual dysfunction, and so on. This article presents an overview on the application of SPE in the treatment of BPH, prostate cancer, and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, with a discussion on its action mechanisms.
Chronic Disease ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Pelvic Pain ; drug therapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Prostatic Diseases ; drug therapy ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; Syndrome