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

Alkaloids ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; Chemical Phenomena ; Chemistry ; Harringtonines

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of relay flaps pedicled by perforator from digital artery for reconstruction of soft tissue defects at finger tip.

METHODSFrom Mar. 2012 to Jun. 2014, 9 cases with soft tissue defects at finger tip were reconstructed with relay flaps at one side of finger pedicled by perforator from digital artery. The flap size ranged from 1.3 cm x 1.6 cm to 1.6 cm x 2.2 cm. The defects at donor sites were covered by adjacent web perforator V-Y advanced flaps.

RESULTSAll the 18 flaps in 9 cases survived completely with primary healing both in recipient and donor sites. The patients were followed up for 5 months to 2 years ( average, 12 months) with good elasticity and cosmetic results. No pain happened in the treated finger. The 2-point discrimination distance was 7-8 mm in fingertip flaps, and 10-12 mm in web perforator flaps. Hand function was graded as excellent in 7 cases, good in 2 cases, based on ATM assessment. The affected fingers had normal temperature and cold-resistance during winter. The width and depth of web in the donor site were not affected.

CONCLUSIONSThe relay flaps pedicled by perforator from digital artery can be applied for reconstruction of soft tissue defects at finger tip. The procedure is easy with satisfactory results and reservation of main artery. No skin graft is necessary for closure of defects on donor sites.

Arteries ; Elasticity ; Finger Injuries ; surgery ; Fingers ; blood supply ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Perforator Flap ; transplantation ; Time Factors ; Transplant Donor Site ; Wound Healing

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Diseases ; microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pharyngeal Diseases ; microbiology ; Pharyngitis ; microbiology ; Syphilis ; Treponema pallidum

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

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common male sexual disorder with an incidence rate of 20-30%. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i), as the first-line drug for erectile dysfunction (ED), can improve ejaculatory function probably by acting on the peripheral and central adrenergic nerves. The possible action mechanisms of PDE5i may involve lessening of the central sympathetic output, modulation of the contractile responses from the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and urethra, induction of peripheral analgesia, and prolonging of the total erectile duration, increasing the confidence of ejaculation control, and reducing the post-ejaculation refractory time. This review discusses the possible mechanisms and clinical application of PDE5i in the treatment of PE.
Ejaculation ; drug effects ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Premature Ejaculation ; drug therapy ; Seminal Vesicles ; physiology ; Vas Deferens ; physiology

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 search for the method used in enriching caffeates in Cirsium setosum by macroporous adsorption resin, 23 types of macroporous adsorption resin were optimized, which could provide the industrial production of caffeates with the theory basis. Methods The adsorption and elution ratios, product purity and yield, as total indices, were comprehensively evaluatued by 23 types of macroporous adsorption resin in enriching the extracts in C. setosum. Results The product purity and yield of caffeates by the HPD-100 type macroporous adsorption resin were the highest and up to 52.2% and 87.6%. Conclusion The HPD-100 type macroporous adsorption resin shows better comprehensive adsorption property. It is available for the enrichment of caffeates in C. setosum.

Aim To investigate the inhibitive effects of trichostatin A(TSA) on telomerase activity of HL-60 cells and expression of subunit hTERT during apoptosis in vitro and its mechanism.Methods The proliferative activity of HL-60 cells was assessed using morphology and MTT assay.Cell apoptosis was confirmed using Flow Cytometer.Telomerase activity was examined using TRAP-ELISA.The expression status of telomerase subunits was analyzed using RT-PCR.Results A time-and dose-dependent inhibition was detected in HL-60 cells treated with TSA.After 48 h TSA(300 nmol?L~(-1)) treatment,the apoptotic rate detected using cytometric assay(Annexin V/PI double staining)of HL-60 cells was 42.6%.Telomerase activity and expression level of hTERT and the key subunit of telomerase decreased at 24-hour after TSA treatment.No significant changes were observed in the expression of hTR,hTP and the other two subunits of telomerase.Conclusion TSA inhibits telomerase activity and induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells.The underlying mechanism might be related to the down regulation of hTERT transcription.

Objective To evaluate the complication rate of secondary surgery in patients with benign thyroid disease. Methods From June 1992 to June 2003, 65 patients underwent reoperation. Operative procedures. pathology and complications were reviewed. Results The first surgery was unilateral in 27 cases (41.5%), bilateral in 38 (58.5%). Reoperation identified carcinoma in 8 cases with complications developed in 8 cases and left over permanent in 1 case (1.5%). Conclusion The complication rate of second operation is higher than that of first thyroid surgery, but still acceptable.