OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in erectile dysfunction (ED) induced by androgen deficiency.

METHODSWe randomly divided 30 eight-week-old healthy male SD rats into six groups: 2-week control (A), 4-week control (B), 2-week castration (C), 4-week castration (D), 2-week castration + androgen replacement (E), and 4-week castration + androgen replacement (F), those in groups E and F subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate (TP) at the physiological dose of 3 mg/kg per day after castration, while those in the other groups with isodose oil instead. At 2 and 4 weeks after operation, we determined the level of serum testosterone (T) , intracavernous pressure (ICP) , mean carotid arterial pressure (MAP) of the rats, measured the concentration of H2S in the plasma and corpus cavernosum tissue, and detected the expressions of cystathionine-P3-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSThe serum T level was significantly lower in group C ([0.63 +/- 0.15] nmol/L) than in A ( [ 16.55 +/- 4.17] nmol/L) and E ( [ 18.99 +/- 4.62] nmol/L) (P <0.05), as well as in group D ([0.70 +/-0.22] nmol/L) than in B ([15.44 +/-5.18] nmol/L) and F ([20.99 +/-6.41] nmol/L) (P <0. 05) , and so were ICP/MAP after 5 and 7 V electrical stimulation of the pelvic ganglia (P <0. 05) , H2 S concentration (P <0.05), and the expressions of CBS and CSE (P <0.05). The expressions of CBS and CSE proteins were also significantly decreased in group C as compared with D (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe reduced expressions of CBS and CSE may inhibit the H2 S signaling pathway, which might be one of the mechanisms underlying androgen deficiency-induced ED in rats.

Androgens ; deficiency ; Animals ; Cystathionine beta-Synthase ; metabolism ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; metabolism ; Erectile Dysfunction ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Penis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

ObjectiveThis study was to review our experience for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) invading the inferior vena cava(IVC). Methods Eleven patients were operated on. Tumors were first resected under portal triad clamping(PTC) and then the tumor emboli in the IVC were removed either under hepatic vascular exclusion(HVE) or under side clamping of the IVC. Results Surgery was successful in all cases, without operative death and complication caused by the removals of tumor emboli from the IVC. The mean operative time was 179 min (range 120～255 min) and the mean intraoperative blood loss 1 482 ml(range 600～3 000 ml). The mean PTC and HVE times were 27 9 min(range 12～83 min) and 16 5 min(range 7～28 min), respectively. The postoperative complications included pleural effusion in one needing thorancentesis and bile leak in one. During the follow up, 3 patients died at 30, 10 and 14 months, respectively, and the remaining 8 patients were alive at the follow up of 1 to 14 months. ConclusionsHCC with tumor thrombus in the IVC is operable and the proper procedure is hepatectomy plus thrombectomy with a favourable postoperative prognosis.

An actinomycetes which produced soluble blue pigment was isolated from the soil sample in Nanjing,China.Based on its cell chemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence we found that its cell wall contained L-diaminopimelic acid and glycine,the whole cell hydrolysates contained glucose and ribose,whole cell contained fatty acid from C14 to C17 with 12-methyltetradecanoic(anteiso-15) and 14-methylpentadentadecanoic acid(iso-16) as the major components.The results shown that,it belongs to the genus Streptomyces.Phylogenetic tree of 16S rDNA sequences indicated that all strains were clustered into 9 branches.All strains that could produce blue pigment were clustered into 2 branches,they were S.coelicolor、S.cyaneus.The isolate closely related to Streptomyces indigocolor with a similarity of 99.4% fell into S.cyaneus branch.

Objectives: Bipolar hemiarthroplasty is commonly performed to treat displaced femoral neck fractures in osteo porotic patients. This study aimed to assess the occurrence and outcomes of unplanned return visits to the emergency department (ED) within 90 days following bipolar hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures. Methods: The clinical data of 1322 consecutive patients who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty for osteoporotic femoral neck fractures at a tertiary medical center were analyzed. Data from the patients’ electronic medical records, including demographic information, comorbidities, and operative details, were collected. The risk factors and mortality rates were analyzed. Results: Within 90 days after surgery, 19.9% of patients returned to the ED. Surgery-related reasons accounted for 20.2% of the patient’s returns. Older age, a high Charlson comorbidity index score, chronic kidney disease, and a history of cancer were identified as significant risk factors for unplanned ED visits. Patients with uncemented implants had a significantly greater risk of returning to the ED due to periprosthetic fractures than did those with cemented implants (P = 0.04). Patients who returned to the ED within 90 days had an almost fivefold greater 1-year mortality rate (15.2% vs 3.1%, P < 0.001) and a greater overall mortality rate (26.2% vs 10.5%, P < 0.001). Conclusions This study highlights the importance of identifying risk factors for unplanned ED visits after bipolar hemiarthroplasty, which may contribute to a better prognosis. Consideration should be given to the use of cemented implants for hemiarthroplasty, as uncemented implants are associated with a greater risk of peri prosthetic fractures.

No abstract available.
Anticoagulants ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Embolism ; Endocarditis ; Endocarditis, Bacterial ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Ventricles ; Hemodynamics ; Male ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Outpatients ; Pneumonia ; Systolic Murmurs ; Warfarin ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo study the diagnosis and proper treatment of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) of the liver.

METHODSForty-eight consecutive patients with FNH treated from 1998 to 2002 were analyzed. Clinical, pathologic, and preoperative imaging findings of FNH all proved surgically and pathologically were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSMost of the patients were asymptomatic and serum test was normal. Helical multiphasic liver CT and MR imaging demonstrated characteristic features in 25 patients. Histologically, characteristic scar-like tissues were found in 29 cases. The overall complication rate was 2.1% and there was no death. No recurrence was observed after follow-up of 4 years after operation.

CONCLUSIONThere is little evidence for an increased risk for FNH in people using modern oral contraceptives, while characteristic imaging features exist in helical multiphasic liver CT and MR imaging. Operation is the optimal treatment for FNH, but for proved FNH less than 5 cm and asymptomatic patients, close periodic followed up should be done.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Focal Nodular Hyperplasia ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

OBJECTIVETo measure the permeability of human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc and cartilage to provide basic parameter for oral biomechanics and tissue engineering, and analyze its mechanisms of pathology and load-release.

METHODSConfined compression method was used to measure the permeability (k value) of four cadavers' TMJs, which were sampled into three parts: disc, condyle and glenoid fossa with different diameters (2 mm, 3 mm and 4 mm). All 128 samples were tested with correspond diameter indenter.

RESULTSLarger the sample diameter was, higher the k value became. The highest k value appeared in the disc while the lowest appeared in glenoid fossa.

CONCLUSIONIn normal condition, TMJ can suffer huge load by decreasing its permeability. Disc is weakest for the higher permeability, it's easy-damaged region is an initiated factor of TMJ disease.

Cartilage ; Humans ; Permeability ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc ; Tissue Engineering

Injectable poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) is a relatively new subdermal biostimulatory filler that is used for the treatment of deep and shallow facial wrinkles. PDLLA is supplied as lumps of lyophilized powder in vials. It requires reconstitution with sterile water for injection (SWFI) into a homogeneous suspension before administration. The reconstitution methods recommended by the manufacturer are hand-shaking and vortex generator-assisted agitation. However, these methods have some disadvantages. Handshaking agitation, which is used for reconstitution prior to correction of shallow wrinkles (a process that requires 8 mL of SWFI), is an exhausting process. Vortex generatorassisted agitation, which is used for reconstitution before the correction of deep wrinkles (requiring 1.4 mL of SWFI), is time-consuming. To address these drawbacks, we propose a simple, quick, effortless, and efficient “back-and-forth” method for the reconstitution of injectable PDLLA. Using this technique, PDLLA can be easily prepared using large or small volumes of SWFI for different purposes related to facial volumization.

OBJECTIVETo study the surgical approach and curative effect of the "interlocking basket" technique in interventional therapy for longitudinal intracranial aneurysm.

METHODSThirty-eight Hunt and Hess Grade I-III patients with longitudinal intracranial aneurysm underwent interventional therapy using the "interlocking basket" technique. During the operation, the aneurysm was divided into two segments based on its length and occluded with two coils. The first coil with a transverse diameter matching that of the aneurysm was deployed to form a "basket", which was densely occluded, and a portion of this coil out of the "basket" was interlocked with the second coil to form another "basket" crossing the aneurysmal neck to prevent the coils from escaping till the neck of the aneurysm was densely occluded.

RESULTSThirty-five aneurysms (92.1%) were completely embolized, and 3 (7.9%) were 95% embolized. No coil escaping from the aneurysm neck or other complications occurred. Twenty-five patients were discharged with a GOS score of 5 (65.8%), 7 (18.4%) with a score of 4, and 6 (15.8%) had a score of 3. In the follow-up for 3-25 months after the embolization, angiography was performed in 28 cases, and recurrence was found in 2 cases (7.14%).

CONCLUSIONThe "interlocking basket" technique can increase the coil stability in longitudinal intracranial aneurysm and allows reliable block of the aneurysm neck and dense embolization of the aneurysm to improve the clinical outcomes of the patients.

Aged ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To compare the features of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of hepatic angiomyolipoma (HAML), and to explore their relationship with pathologic findings. Methods Thirty patients with 31 resected or punctured and pathologically proved hepatic angiomyolipomas in Southwest Hospital of Third Military Medical University from January 2006 to December 2012 were selected in this retrospective study. CEUS and CECT features were evaluated and analyzed with pathology findings in 30 patients with HAML preoperatively. The proportion of typical performance by CEUS compared with CECT in this group was analyzed with Fisher exact propability. Results Seventeen lesions were inhomogeneous hyperechoic under conventional ultrasound observation. Twenty lesions demonstrated typical imaging characteristics by CEUS, eleven lesions showed atypia CEUS imaging characteristics. There were seventeen lesions on CT indicates the presence of fat. Seven lesions demonstrated typical imaging characteristics by CECT, twenty-four lesions presented atypical CECT imaging characteristics. The proportion of showing typical imaging characteristics by CEUS was higher than by CECT (64.5%vs 22.6%, P=0.002). Among the eleven mixed type HAML lesions, seven lesions showed typical CEUS imaging characteristics and two lesions demonstrated typical CECT imaging characteristics. In the ten myomatous type HAML lesions, six lesions displayed typical CEUS imaging characteristics and two lesions revealed typical CECT imaging characteristics. Among the eight lipomatous type HAML lesions, six lesions showed typical CEUS imaging characteristics and three lesions displayed typical CECT imaging characteristics. Conclusions Conventional ultrasound combining with CEUS can demonstrate the echoic and blood perfusion characteristics of HAML in most cases. The features of CEUS and CECT were varied in different histological types.