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In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the Solenocera crassicornis was amplified and analyzed. The mitogenome is 15,946 bp in length, encoding the standard set of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes and two rRNA genes. The overall A + T content is 67.67%; nucleotide frequency of the mitogenome is as follows: A, 32.00%; C, 11.14%; G, 21.19%; and T, 35.67%. There were 16 non-coding regions throughout the mitogenome of S. crassicornis ranged from 1 to 1,005 bp in size, of which the largest was between tRNAIle and 12S rRNA. The complete mitogenome sequence information of S. crassicornis would play an important part for further studies on molecular systematics and phylogeny.

STUDY QUESTION Can microsurgical vasoepididymostomy (MVE) be used to treat azoospermia in men with epididymal obstruction who have had a prior attempt at sperm retrieval with ICSI and failed to achieve a pregnancy? SUMMARY ANSWER MVE is an effective treatment for epididymal obstruction. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY MVE is an effective treatment for non-vasectomized patients with epididymal obstruction. However, ICSI is the preferred treatment for patients with obstructive azoospermia in some reproductive centers. The clinical pregnancy rate in per ICSI cycle is

Objective To explore the causes of epididymal obstruction in China and the success of reconstructive surgery. Materials and Methods From February 2006 to December 2009, 134 consecutive azoospermic men with suspected epididymal obstruction underwent scrotal exploration. We excluded 11 men who had undergone vasectomy and 5 with inguinal hernia repair. The findings of scrotal exploration and outcomes of reconstructive surgery were reviewed. Results Epididymal obstruction was found in 162 of 258 (62.8%) suspected blocked reproductive tract units (2/patient). The etiology of obstruction was idiopathic for 144 units (88.9%), infection for 16 (9.9%), and surgical for 2 (1.2%). The etiology for the remaining 96 obstructed units (37.2%) was intratesticular obstruction for 59 (61.5%), vasal obstruction for 24 (25%) and vasal atresia for 13 (13.5%). Of the 134 patients, we identified sperm in the epididymis on ≥1 side in 96 (71.6%). These 96 patients underwent vasoepididymostomy, and 46 (63.9%) had sperm on postoperative ejaculation. Conclusion Idiopathic obstruction was the most common cause of epididymal obstruction in this Chinese sample, which differed from the U.S. experience. Microsurgical vasoepididymostomy is effective for idiopathic epididymal obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin is reported to be related to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Genetic variants in the gene encoding adiponectin (ADIPOQ) have been reported to be associated with adiponectin level in several genome-wide linkage and association studies. However, relatively little is known about the effects of ADIPOQ gene variants on COPD susceptibility. We determined the frequencies of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADIPOQ in a Chinese Han population and their possible association with COPD susceptibility. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study of 279 COPD patients and 367 age- and gender-distribution-matched control subjects. Seven tagging SNPs in ADIPOQ, including rs710445, rs16861205, rs822396, rs7627128, rs1501299, rs3821799 and rs1063537 were genotyped by SNaPshot. Association analysis of genotypes/alleles and haplotypes constructed from these loci with COPD was conducted under different genetic models. RESULTS: The alleles or genotypes of rs1501299 distributed significantly differently in COPD patients and controls (allele: P = 0.002, OR = 1.43 and 95%CI = 1.14-1.79; genotype: P = 0.008). The allele A at rs1501299 was potentially associated with an increased risk of COPD in all dominant model analysis (P = 0.009; OR: 1.54; 95%CI: 1.11-2.13), recessive model analyses (P = 0.015; OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.11-2.75) and additive model analyses (P = 0.003; OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.29-3.47). In haplotype analysis, we observed haplotypes AAAAACT and GGACCTC had protective effects, while haplotypes AGAACTC, AGGCCTC, GGAACTC, GGACACT and GGGCCTC were significantly associated with the increased risk of COPD. CONCLUSIONS: We conducted the first investigation of the association between the SNPs in ADIPOQ and COPD risk. Our current findings suggest that ADIPOQ may be a potential risk gene for COPD. Further studies in larger groups are warranted to confirm our results.

Objective To evaluate the factors that might be associated with the patency rates of microsurgical vasoepididymostomy for idiopathic obstructive azoospermia. Methods From January 2009 to July 2010, we evaluated the data from 73 men with obstructive azoospermia who had undergone longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy. The mean age was 30.9 ± 4.9 years (range 22-48). The outcomes were analyzed by the pre- or intraoperative clinical findings: epididymal fullness, unilateral or bilateral procedure, site of anastomosis, and epididymal fluid findings. Results The mean follow-up was 13.5 ± 5.3 months (range 4-22) for 53 patients (72.6%). The overall patency rate was 71.7% (n = 38). The patency rate was 87.2%, 80.7%, 78.8%, 100%, and 83.7% for epididymal fullness, bilateral surgery, corpus anastomosis, caudal anastomosis, and flowing fluid with motile sperm, respectively. The natural pregnancy rate was 33.3% at a mean of 9.9 ± 4.2 months of follow-up. Conclusion Longitudinal intussusception vasopididymostomy can provide a good patency rate, with success associated with epididymal fullness, bilateral surgery, distal epididymal anastomosis, and flowing fluid with motile sperm.

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common sexual disorder in men that is mediated by disturbances in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Although all pharmaceutical treatments for PE are currently used 'off-label', some novel oral agents and some newer methods of drug administration now provide important relief to PE patients. However, the aetiology of this condition has still not been unified, primarily because of the lack of a standard animal model for basic research and the absence of a widely accepted definition and assessment tool for evidence-based clinical studies in patients with PE. In this review, we focus on the current therapeutic strategies and future treatment perspectives for PE.

In this paper, a simple variable integral gain PI controller for a single-phase Inverter is presented. The controller is based on a conventional PI by adding a rule of Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC), the complete mathematical model is derived. Compared with the conventional PI controller, the integral gain of the proposed controller can be adjusted online. The efficacy and feasibility of the proposed methods are shown by presently simulation results. Simulations are realized under linear and nonlinear loads, the results show that the proposed controller provides lower total harmonic distortion (THD). A 50Hz 1KVA experimental prototype is constructed to realize 220v 50Hz output with 220v DC input, and it shows stable property.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of the corpus cavernosum-corpus spongiosum shunt (Al-Ghorab Shunt) plus intracavernous tunneling (CC-CSS+ICT) for prolonged ischemic priapism (PIP). Twelve patients with PIP were enrolled in this study. The mean age of patients was 38.3 ± 9.2 years old and the mean duration of PIP was 2.8 ± 1.0 days (range, 1.5-4 days). All patients received CC-CSS+ICT for treating PIP. The penile hardness score (PHS) and pain visual analogue score (PVAS) were used to assess the efficacy of the surgery 1, 3, and 5 days after surgery. Color duplex Doppler ultrasonography, International Index of Erectile Function, and quality of life (QOL) were used for evaluating penile morphology, erectile function, QOL, and response to sildenafil treatment. The mean duration of follow up was 21.6 ± 10.1 months. Penile detumescence was successfully restored for all 12 patients postsurgery, with the mean PHS and PVAS significantly decreased compared with that presurgery at different time points (1, 3, 5 days postsurgery; P < .001). The cavernosal arterial blood flow observed with the mean PSV at 1, 3, and 5 days postoperation were 17.79 ± 2.04, 19.14 ± 1.58, and 7.73 ± 2.02 cm/s respectively. All patients suffered from corpus cavernosum fibrosis and erectile dysfunction postoperation; only 2 cases (16.7%) with a short duration of PIP (1.5 days) showed response to sildenafil treatment, and 3 cases (25.0%) with severe fibrosis were satisfied with sexual life after excision of penile corpus cavernosum scar and penile prosthesis implantation. The CC-CSS+ICT could quickly reduce penile rigidity and pain for improving the symptoms of PIP and suggests a safe and effective therapeutic method for PIP.

The androgen receptor (AR) is the main therapeutic target for treatment of metastatic prostate cancers. The present study demonstrates that the topoisomerase I inhibitor camptothecin selectively inhibits androgen-responsive growth of prostate cancer cells. Camptothecin strikingly inhibited mutated and wild-type AR protein expression in LNCaP and PC-3/AR cells. This inhibition coincided with decreased androgen-mediated AR phosphorylation at Ser 81 and reduced androgen-mediated AR transcriptional activity in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, camptothecin disrupted the association between AR and heat shock protein 90 and impeded binding of the synthetic androgen [ 3 H]R1881 to AR in LNCaP cells. Camptothecin also blocked androgen-induced AR nuclear translocation, leading to downregulation of the AR target gene PSA. In addition to decreasing the intracellular and secreted prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, camptothecin markedly inhibited androgen-stimulated PSA promoter activity. Collectively, our data reveal that camptothecin not only serves as a traditional genotoxic agent but, by virtue of its ability to target and disrupt AR, may also be a novel candidate for the treatment of prostate cancer.

To investigate clinical features of Chinese patients with severe primary erectile dysfunction (S-PED) and to identify the ideal treatment options for this population.Patients with PED were screened for enrollment in our study. Sexual history, marital status, and erectile function were evaluated by inquiry including International Index of Erectile Function-5. Individuals with severe PED (defined as refractory to management with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor [PDE5i]) underwent serum hormone analysis, penile color duplex Doppler ultrasound, neuroelectromyogram, and cavernosography as appropriate. Long-term treatment results were determined.Among 220 PED patients, 72 (32.7%) suffered from severe PED (PDE5i nonresponse). Mean age was 31.5 +/- 4.5 years and mean duration of attempts at sexual activity was 2.4 +/- 3.2 years, Sixty-eight men (94.5%) had organic etiologies for erectile dysfunction, including arteriogenic (n = 13), venogenic (n = 35), endocrinologic (n = 6), neurologic (n = 9), and cavernosal fibrosis (n = 5). Sixteen men (22.2%) had been divorced. Mean erectile function and quality-of-life were significantly improved (P.001) in the 25 men (34.7%) who were treated by penile prosthesis implantation, at a mean follow-up of 5.6 years. Satisfaction with penile prosthesis for patients and partner was 93.4% and 92.3%, respectively.Severe PED has a major impact on young couple's life quality. Venous leak is the most common cause of severe PED. Penile prosthesis implantation is safe and effective for severe PED.

The effect of EPHPH on aged deafness and its mechanism was explored by observing the effects of EPHPH on acoustic brainstem response threshold (ABRT), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total-nitrogen monoxide (NOS) and typing-nitrogen monoxide (iNOS) in cochleae tissues of senile model rats.ABRT value was measured by induced potentiometer, MDA was measured by TBA colorimetry, SOD was determined by nitrite method, NOS and iNOS was determined by spectrophotometry in cochleae tissues of senile model rats that separately administered by gavage the alcoholic extract from 2.16, 4.32 or 8.64 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) PHPH once a day for 6 months.ABRT value and MDA content notably increased, activities) of SOD, NOS and iNOS notably decreased in cochlear tissues of senile model rats from control. It indicated on relative analysis that relativity between ABRT value ascent and MDA ascent showed positive, relaxivities between ABRT value ascent and activity descents of SOD, NOS and iNOS showed all negative. It differently resisted ABRT value ascent and MDA ascent in cochlear tissues that senile model rats separately administered the alcoholic extract from 2.16, 4.32 or 8.64 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) PHPH whose relaxivities between quantity and efficiency showed all negative. It differently inhibited activity descents of SOD, NOS and iNOS in cochlear tissues that senile model rats separately administered various doses of EPHPH whose relaxivities between quantity and efficiency showed all positive.EPHPH may relieve the degree of aged deafness and its mechanism may be connected with eliminating oxygen free radicals and increasing the activities of SOD, NOS and iNOS in cochleae of natural senile rats.

To investigate the effect of icariin on erectile function and the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in castrated rats.Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into one sham-operated group (A) and three castrated groups (B, C and D). One week after surgery, rats were treated with normal saline (groups A and B) or oral icariin (1 mg/[kg.day] for group C and 5 mg/[kg.day] for group D) for 4 weeks. One week after treatment, the erectile function of the rats was assessed by measuring intracavernosal pressure (ICP) during electrostimulation of the cavernosal nerve. The serum testosterone (ST) levels, the percent of smooth muscle (PSM) in trabecular tissue, and the expression of mRNA and proteins of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and phosphodiesterase V (PDE5) in corpus cavernosum (CC) were also evaluated.ICP, PSM, ST and the expression of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and PDE5 were significantly decreased in group B compared with those in group A (P 0.01). However, ICP, PSM and the expression of nNOS and iNOS were increased in groups C and D compared with those in group B (P 0.05). Changes in ST and the expression of eNOS and PDE5 were not significant (P 0.05) in groups C and D compared with those in group B.Oral treatment with icariin ( 98.6 % purity) for 4 weeks potentially improves erectile function. This effect is correlated with an increase in PSM and the expression of certain NOS in the CC of castrated rats. These results suggest that icariin may have a therapeutic effect on erectile dysfunction.

To investigate the clinical reliability of quantitative evaluation by seminiferous tubule scores on spermatogenesis dysfunction, using the testis tissues of azoospermia patients for analysis of histological changes.One hundred and twelve Chinese patients with azoospermia underwent open testicular biopsy and their testicular biopsy specimens were evaluated by 10-score (on testicular biopsy) and 5-Grade (on seminiferous tubule spermatogenesis) scale. The 112 patient, 22 to 46 years old [(29.0 +/- 4.4) years old] included 105 cases of obstructive and 7 cases non-obstructive azoospermia. Of the total number, there were 96 primary infertile cases and 16 secondary infertile cases with infertile marriage of 2-12 years [(4.0 +/- 2.8) years]. Various seminiferous tubule characteristics were categorized by 10-score as follows: [1] degenerating Sertoli cells and no germinal epithelium; [2] no germ cells and only Sertoli cells; [3] no spermatids and primary spermatocytes and only spermatogonia; [4] no spermatids and few primary spermatocytes; [5] no spermatids and numerous primary spermatocytes; [6] no mature spermatids and few round immature spermatids; [7] no mature spermatids and numerous round immature spermatids; [8]20 mature spermatids/tubules, germinal epithelium height80 microns and spermiation absent; [9]20 mature spermatids/tubules, germinal epithelium height80 microns and spermiation rarely80 microns; [10]20 mature spermatids/tubule and germinal epithelium height 80 microns and spermiation common. Seminiferous tubule spermatogenesis was catagorized by 5-Grade scale as follows: [1] tubular sclerosis; [2] sertoli cell only; [3] arrested spermatogenesis; [4] reduced spermatogenesis; [5] intact spermatogenesis.In terms of the 10-score scale on testicular biopsy, scores of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 corresponded with total patient numbers of 5 (4.5%), 38(33.9%), 2(1.8%), 6(5.4%), 2(1.8%), 17(15.2%), 6(5.4%), 19(17%), 10(8.9%) and 7(6.3%), respectively. According to the 5-Grade scale on the seminiferous tubule spermatogenesis, Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 corresponded with 5(4.5%), 38(33.9%), 33(29.5%), 29(25.9%) and 7 (6.3%), respectively. Tubular diameter, the thickness of the lamina propria, the height of the germinal epithelium and serum FSH correlated with the average seminiferous tubule scores (P0.01).The seminiferous tubule scores obtained through testicular biopsy may provide important quantitative information concerning the etiology and pathogenesis and of azoospermia may serve as a helpful guide to the fundamental, clinical and therapeutical study of element, clinic and therapy.

To determine the ability of clinical tests to predict extraprostatic cxtension and seminal vesicle invasion.Clinical T stage, TPSA total prostate specific antigen and pathologic features in systematic biopsy specimens were correlated with pathologic stage in 40 consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer detected by systematic needle biopsies and treated with radical prostatectomy.Extraprostatic extension was observed in 20 patients (50%) and seminal vesicle invasion was noted in 11(28%). Preoperative variables predictors of extraprostatic extension and seminal vesicle invasion on univariate analysis were TPSA, Gleason score, the total length of cancer, the number of positive cores, the percentage of positive cores, the maximum length of cancer in any one core in the biopsy specimen and the percentage of cancer in the biopsy set P0.05 . In multivariate analysis, TPSA, Gleason score, the total length of cancer and the percentage of positive cores in the biopsy specimens were the only significant predictors of extraprostatic extension and seminal vesicle invasion P0.01 . A model was constructed to predict advanced stage: the TPSAor=11 microg x L(-1) and Gleason score/5 and percentage of positive cores in the biopsy specimenor=27% or the total length of canceror=7.3 mm P0.001 .The combination of TPSA, the total length of cancer, Gleason score and percentage of positive cores in the biopsy specimens provides the best prediction of capsular perforation and seminal vesicle invasion. Models based on this combination of factors may be clinically useful to stratify patients for nonoperative treatment.

To observe the effect of dexamethasone on airway remodeling and to explore the significance of the balance between matrix metalloproteinase and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase.Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into asthmatic group (n = 10), dexamethasone group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). Lung tissues were sliced and stained with H. E. The parameters such as bronchial basement membrane perimeter(Pbm), total bronchial wall area(WAt), inner wall area(WAi) and smooth muscle area(WAm), which reflect the thickness of airway wall, were measured by image analysis system. The expression levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 mRNA in the lungs were assessed by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.1. WAt/Pbm, WAi/Pbm and WAm/Pbm in asthmatic group (25.3 +/- 2.1 microns 2/micron, 20.4 +/- 2.3 microns 2/micron, 4.2 +/- 2.0 microns 2/micron, respectively) were significantly higher than those in control group (20.8 +/- 1.3 microns 2/micron, 15.3 +/- 2.1 microns 2/micron, 3.1 +/- 1.1 microns 2/micron) (P0.01). The differences between those in control group and those in dexamethasone group (21.3 +/- 2.4 microns 2/micron, 14.2 +/- 2.5 microns 2/micron, 3.2 +/- 1.0 microns 2/micron) were not statistically significant (P0.05). 2. MMP-2 and TIMP-1mRNA levels in asthmatic group (0.68 +/- 0.14, 0.56 +/- 0.10) and dexamethasone group (0.37 +/- 0.11, 0.31 +/- 0.10) were significantly higher than those in control group (0.14 +/- 0.03, 0.11 +/- 0.05). The differences between asthmatic group and dexamethasone group were also significant (P0.01). 3. There was a significant positive correlation between MMP-2 and TIMP-1 mRNA in control group and dexamethasone group (r = 0.67, 0.58, P0.05), but not in asthmatic group (r = 0.24, P0.05).Dexamethasone could prevent airway remodeling by downregulating the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 and restoring the balance between MMP-2 and TIMP-1.

To understand the mechanism of testis regression in aging male.Human testis tissues were obtained during related operation with informed consent (normal young male 3 cases and aged male 3 cases). Total RNA was isolated by QIAGEN RNAeasy kit. Differentiations of gene expression were studied by Clon-Tech cDNA microarray methods and the differential expression gene in aged male were classified by Venter's classify system and the candidate genes were investigated by RT-PCR analysis.In the results of cDNA microarray we found 117(1.46%) gene differentiations in aged male at least more than 1.0 fold. Among them, the 83 genes were down-regulated and the 34 genes up-regulated. The down expressed genes related to metabolism were 16(19.3%), gene or protein expression 18(21.7%), cell signaling or cell communication 16(19.3%), cell division 19(22.9%), cell structure or motility 6(7.2%) and unknown function 4 genes (4.8%). The up expressed genes related to cell division were 11 (32.4%), gene or protein expression 10(29.4%) and metabolism 3 (8.8%). It is interesting to find that respiratory chain related gene cox7a2 was up-regulated and atp50 down-regulated significantly which as further confirmed by RT-PCR analysis with sequence analysis in the products of the RT-PCR by T-A cloning.The gene expression profile in aged male testis was changed significantly as compared with that in normal young controls; testis regression in aging male may relate multi-gene differentiations, especially the differentiations of respiratory chain related gene cox7a2, atp50, which may be an important candidate gene in the study of the mechanism of testis regression in aging male.

An optimum design scheme for a new 3 Dimensions Magneto-Optical Disc information storage system is proposed. By the use of the Polarization Preserving Fiber (P.P.F) integrated optical head, the small objective lens of the P.P.F. optical head can be moving at high speed, the average access time of the storage system can be reduced effectively. The wave division multiple technology can be used to realize multi-wavelengths optical fiber signals transmission in parallel mode, so the 3 dimensions storage system possesses the advantages of huge density, and the access time will be further decreased. According to the laser diffraction theory, an optical expert system software is set up to analyze the aberrations of the integrate optical head, and to compute the pick-up signals by computer simulation.

To observe the effect of nitric oxide on expression of matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase in asthmatic rats.Thirty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (n = 10), asthmatic (n = 10) and L-arginine (n = 10) groups. Lung tissues were sliced and stained with HE. The following morphometric parameters were measured by image analysis system: airway wall basement membrane perimeter (Pbm), total bronchial wall area (WAt), the inner wall area (WAi) and the area of smooth muscle (WAm). Levels of nitrites/nitrates and NOS activity in the lungs were measured by commercial NO and NOS kits. Transcriptional levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 mRNA in the lungs were assessed by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).(1) WAt/Pbm, WAi/Pbm and WAm/Pbm in the L-arginine group were (35.1 +/- 2.6) microm(2)/microm, (25.3 +/- 2.0) microm(2)/microm, and (8.7 +/- 1.5) microm(2)/microm, respectively. WAt/Pbm, WAi/Pbm and WAm/Pbm in the asthmatic group were (25.3 +/- 2.1) microm(2)/microm, (20.4 +/- 2.3) microm(2)/microm, and (4.2 +/- 2.0) microm(2)/microm, respectively. WAt/Pbm, WAi/Pbm and WAm/Pbm in the control group were (20.8 +/- 1.3) microm(2)/microm, (15.3 +/- 2.1) microm(2)/microm, and (3.1 +/- 1.1) microm(2)/microm, respectively. The differences among three groups were statistically significant. (2) Levels of nitrites/nitrates in the L-arginine group [(11.8 +/- 1.7) nmol/mg] and the asthmatic group [(7.2 +/- 2.1) nmol/mg] were significantly higher than that in the control group [(3.1 +/- 1.2) nmol/mg]. NOS activity in the lungs was (16.5 +/- 1.3) U/mg L-arginine group, (10.8 +/- 1.4) U/mg asthmatic group, and (1.46 +/- 0.98) U/mg control group, respectively, the differences being statistically significant between groups. (3) MMP-2 and TIMP-1 mRNA levels in the L-arginine group and the asthmatic group were significantly higher than that in the control group [L-arginine group (0.82 +/- 0.11), (0.51 +/- 0.12); asthmatic group (0.68 +/- 0.14), (0.56 +/- 0.10); control group (0.14 +/- 0.03), (0.11 +/- 0.05), respectively]. The difference in the MMP-2 mRNA levels was significant between the L-arginine group and the asthmatic group (P0.05), but the difference in the TIMP-1 mRNA levels between the two groups was not statistically significant. (P0.05). (4) A significant positive correlation was found between the MMP-2 mRNA levels and nitrites/nitrates levels in L-arginine group and asthmatic group (r(s) = 0.65, 0.68, P0.05), but there was no significant correlation between the nitrites/nitrates levels and the TIMP-1 mRNA levels in the two groups (r(s) = 0.23, 0.18, P0.05).Nitric oxide may contribute to airway inflammation and remodeling by influencing the balance between matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases.

Objective To investigate the injected autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in improving stress urinary incontinence in a rodent model of parturition-related stress incontinence and the possible mechanism. Methods The 40 rats were developed stress urinary incontinence models by postpartum balloon dilation of the vagina for 4 hours followed by bilateral ovariectomy. ADSCs were isolated from the peri-ovarian fat and labeled with thymidine analog 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU). Twenty stress urinary incontinence rats received peri-urethral injection of phosphate-buffered saline as the negative controls and the other 20 stress urinary incontinence rats received peri-urethral injection of EdU-labeled ADSCc. Twenty control rats underwent sham ovariectomy without balloon dilation and served as positive controls. Four weeks later, voiding function was assessed by cystometry. Urethral histologic examination (Masson trichrome stain, picrosirius red stain, Hart elastin stain, Gordon and Sweet stain, and immunohistochemical stain) and Western blot were performed on urethral tissues. Results Both leak point pressure and bladder capacity were significantly increased in ADSC-treated rats, compared to the balloon-injured ovariectomized rats. Histologic examination revealed normalized appearance of the fibromuscular structure of the urethra as well as increased peri-urethral blood vessel density in ADSC-treated rats. On Western blot, vascular endothelial growth factor and P-extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs)1/2 protein was expressed at a higher rate in tissues from ADSC-treated rats compared to phosphate-buffered saline-treated rats. Conclusion Peri-urethral injection of ADSCs is associated with more normal urinary function and urethral structure in rats with parturition-related incontinence. The activation of vascular endothelial growth factor and ERK1/2 may be responsible for the paracrine effects from ADSCs.

Iron is one of the most important minor elements in the shells of bivalves. This study was designed to investigate the involvement of ferritin, the principal protein for iron storage, in shell growth. A novel ferritin subunit (Fth1) cDNA from the freshwater pearl mussel (Hyriopsis cumingii) was isolated and characterized. The complete cDNA contained 822 bp, with an open reading frame (ORF) of 525 bp, a 153 bp 5' untranslated region (UTR) and a 144 bp 3' UTR. The complete genomic DNA was 4125 bp, containing four exons and three introns. The ORF encoded a protein of 174 amino acids without a signal sequence. The deduced ferritin contained a highly conserved motif for the ferroxidase center comprising seven residues of a typical vertebrate heavy-chain ferritin. It contained one conserved iron associated residue (Try27) and iron-binding region signature 1 residues. The mRNA contained a 27 bp iron-responsive element with a typical stem-loop structure in the 5'-UTR position. Copy number variants (CNVs) of Fth1 in two populations (PY and JH) were detected using quantitative real-time PCR. Associations between CNVs and growth were also analyzed. The results showed that the copy number of the ferritin gene of in the diploid genome ranged from two to 12 in PY, and from two to six in JH. The copy number variation in PY was higher than that in JH. In terms of shell length, mussels with four copies of the ferritin gene grew faster than those with three copies (P

The safety and efficacy of one-stage direct-vision internal urethrotomy and penile prosthesis implantation (DVIU/PPI) in patients with severe erectile dysfunction (ED) combined with urethral stricture were investigated. Among the 108 cases of severe ED treated with PPI from June 2002 to May 2007, 5 patients with urethral stricture caused by a pelvic fracture or urethral injury underwent DVIU/PPI (AMS700CXM) upon the patient’s request with informed consent. The patients were 20∼35 years old and had been previously treated with a urethrourethral anastomosis. Erectile function and urinary function were evaluated by assessing the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF5), the Quality of Life Index (QOL), the maximum urine flow rate (Qmax), and urethrography before and after the operation. The patients received follow-up examinations for 18~30 months. Two of the cases were confirmed as vasculogenic ED, and 3 were confirmed to be vasculogenic combined with neurogenic ED. The mean length of urethral stricture was 10.00±3.97 mm. All 5 patients were successfully treated by one-stage DVIU/PPI under spinal anesthesia and were satisfied with both their sexual activity and their urinary function after surgery. The mean scores of the IIEF5, Qmax, QOL, and the diameter of the urethral stricture after surgery were 24.4±0.55, 19.54±4.80 ml/s, 1.80±0.84, and 7.16±0.43 mm, respectively, which were significantly better than those before surgery (p