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Purpose: The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of the non-invasive radiofrequency hyperthermia (RFHT) device on chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) rat model and investigate the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods: In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed into three groups: (1) normal control group, (2) CP/CPPS group, and (3) RFHT group. CP/CPPS rat models were induced by 17β-estradiol and dihydrotestosterone for 4 weeks and RFHT was administered for 5 weeks after model establishment. During RFHT administration, core body temperatures were continuously monitored with a rectal probe. After administering RFHT, we assessed pain index for all groups and collected prostate tissues for Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. We also collected adjacent organs to the prostate including urinary bladder, testes, and rectum for safety assessment via H&E staining along with a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling assay. Results: After administering RFHT, pain in rats was significantly alleviated compared to the CP/CPPS group. RFHT reduced high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) expression and improved inflammation by downregulating subsequent proinflammatory cytokines through inhibition of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. In prostate-adjacent organs, no significant histological alteration or inflammatory infiltration was detected. The area of cell death also did not increase significantly after RFHT. Conclusions: In conclusion, RFHT demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the HMGB1-TLR4-NF-κB pathway in CP/CPPS rat models. This suggests that RFHT could serve as a safe and promising therapeutic strategy for CP/CPPS.

Purpose: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on prostatitis and explore the mechanism of alleviating pain. Materials and Methods: For in vitro testing, RWPE-1 cells were randomly divided into 5 groups: (1) RWPE-1 group (normal control), (2) LPS group (lipopolysaccharide inducing inflammation), (3) 0.1ESWT group (treated by 0.1 mJ/mm2 energy level), (4) 0.2ESWT group (treated by 0.2 mJ/mm2 energy level), and (5) 0.3ESWT group (treated by 0.3 mJ/mm2 energy level). After ESWT was administered, cells and supernatant were collected for ELISA and western blot. For in vivo testing, Sprague- Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: (1) normal group, (2) prostatitis group, and (3) ESWT group (n=12 for each). Prostatitis was induced by 17 beta-estradiol and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) administration. Four weeks after ESWT, the pain index was assessed for all groups and prostate tissues were collected for immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, apoptosis analysis and, western blot. Results: Our in vitro studies showed that the optimal energy flux density of ESWT was 0.2 mJ/mm2. In vivo, ESWT ameliorated discomfort in rats with prostatitis and inflammation symptoms were improved. Compared to normal rats, overexpressed NLRP3 inflammasomes triggered apoptosis in rats with prostatitis and this was improved by ESWT. TLR4-NFκB pathway was overactive after experimental prostatitis, compared to normal and ESWT groups, and prostatitis induced alterations in BAX/ BAK pathway were inhibited by ESWT. Conclusions: ESWT improved CP/CPPS by reducing NLRP3 inflammasome and ameliorated apoptosis via inhibiting BAX/ BAK pathway in a rat model. TLR4 may play a key role in bonding NLRP3 inflammasome and BAX/BAK pathways. ESWT might be a promising approach for the treatment of CP/CPPS.

Purpose: This study analyzed changes in body composition and physical fitness in men with testosterone deficiency (TD) after testosterone treatment (TT) and examined the correlations of body composition and physical fitness with serum testosterone levels and hypogonadal symptoms. Materials and Methods: Seventy patients with TD were divided into control (group I, n=23) and experimental (group II, n=47) groups. Patients in the experimental group were administered intramuscular testosterone enanthate (250 mg) for six months. The aging males symptom scale (AMS) score, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), body mass index, waist circumference, and serum laboratory values were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to assess the patients’ body composition. Seven types of basic exercise tests were used to evaluate the patients’ physical fitness. Results: After six months, there were no significant differences in group I, while group II had significantly improved IPSS and AMS scores; increased hemoglobin, hematocrit, prostate-specific antigen, and testosterone levels and skeletal muscle mass; and waist circumference, and body fat mass. All elements of the physical fitness test were significantly improved in group II, with the exceptions of flexibility and endurance. Decreased waist circumference was correlated with changes in testosterone levels in group II, and the IPSS, cardiorespiratory fitness, and agility were correlated with improved hypogonadal symptoms. Conclusions: TT improved the hypogonadal and lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with TD and improved body composition, physical fitness, and metabolic syndrome parameters. Increased testosterone and improved hypogonadal symptoms were correlated with a decrease in waist circumference and an improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness and agility. As such, when implementing TT, we should consider whether these areas may be improved, as this can help to predict the effect.

Purpose:Purpose: Penile microvascular dysfunction is a known contributor to erectile dysfunction (ED) and penile fibrosis has been shown to impair microvascular perfusion (MVP). Our objectives were to: (i) determine beneficial effects of TPMS to modulate penile MVP, (ii) determine its mechanism, (iii) evaluate impact of cavernosal nerve injury (CNI) on penile MVP, and (iv) deter-mine time-course of cavernosal tissue elastin changes after CNI in rats. Materials Materials and and Methods:Methods: Adult male rats (n=5) were anesthetized and subjected to TPMS (13%, 15%, and 17%) and MVP changes were recorded using laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI). Another group of male rats were subjected to either bi-lateral cavernosal nerve injury (CNI; n=7) or sham surgery (n=7). After recovery, animals were monitored for MVP using LSCI before and after TPMS. Rat penile tissues were harvested and analyzed for fibrosis using a marker for elastin. Results:Results: Rat TPMS resulted in a stimulus dependent increase in MVP; maximal perfusion was observed at 17%. L-N(G)-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) resulted in a marked decrease in TPMS induced MVP increase (393.33 AU vs. 210.67 AU). CNI resulted in 40% to 50% decrease in MVP. CNI produced a remarkable increase in elastin deposits that are notice-able throughout the cavernosal tissues post injury. Conclusions:Conclusions: TPMS is a novel and non-invasive intervention to improve penile MVP after CNI. Potential application includes treatment of ED and sexual function preservation following cancer treatment, possibly through improved penile hemodynam-ics that might help prevent penile hypoxia and fibrosis.

The constraint based approach to modeling for Geobacter sulfurreducens is the first genome-scale model available for an organism that is capable of complete anaerobic oxidation of organic compounds. Evaluation of the rates of proton production and consumption in the extracellular and cytoplasmic compartments revealed that energy conservation with extracellular electron acceptors such as Fe(III) was limited relative to that associated with intracellular acceptors.

Aims: Prior studies demonstrate increased incidence of urinary incontinence (UI) in the geriatric population which affects their quality of life. Pathophysiology of UI in the geriatric population and the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. To elucidate these mechanisms, we performed a pre‐clinical study in a rabbit model and the objectives were to (i) determine the effect of aging as well as multiparity on urethral sphincter muscle thickness and urethral closing pressure (UCP); (ii) examine the role of fibrosis and atrophy; and (iii) elucidate the molecular pathways that mediate fibrosis and atrophy in the urethral tissue. Methods: New Zealand White female rabbits (n = 6 each; young 6‐12 months and old over 30 months of age) were anesthetized and urethral muscle thickness and sphincter closure function were measured. Rabbits were then sacrificed and urethral tissues (bladder neck and mid‐urethra) were collected to process for immunostaining as well as for molecular studies for markers for fibrosis (β‐catenin which is an important mediator of Wnt signaling, Collagen‐1, and TGF‐β) and atrophy (MuRF‐1). Results: Our studies showed a significant decrease in the urethral sphincter muscle thickness and closure function with age. Age‐related increase in protein and mRNA expression levels of fibrosis, as well as atrophy markers were observed in the bladder neck and mid‐urethral tissues. Conclusions: Age and multiparity related increase in fibrosis and atrophy of urethral sphincter muscles may contribute to impaired urethral closure function seen in old animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of grouping of parts has been addressed in the past using clustering methods and integer programming. This paper presents an assignment model to solve the grouping problem. A similarity coefficient matrix is used as the input to the assignment problem. Closed loops in the form of subtours are identified after solving the problem and are used as the basis for grouping. The method has been applied to a number of examples. Compared with the earlier mathematical programming model, viz., the p-median model, the assignment method emerges as a distinctly superior technique both in terms of quality of solution and computational time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single particle mass spectrometer is applied to analyze the elemental composition of individual aerosol particles and the technique is applied to study the kinetics of thermal decomposition of metal nitrate aerosols. The technique could offer an alternative approach to study condensed-phase reactions with minimal influence of artifacts caused by heat and mass transfer effects known to plague conventional thermal analyses.

Abstract Background Type IV dual left anterior descending artery (LAD) is a rare congenital coronary anomaly. Though benign with most of the patients being asymptomatic, knowledge of its existence and identification during coronary angiography is important during coronary interventions and surgical revascularization. Case presentation We present a rare case of type IV dual left anterior descending artery (LAD) with anomalous origin of one of the two vessels from the right coronary sinus. A 49-year-old female presented with inferior wall infarction and she underwent coronary angiography. Coronary angiogram showed triple vessel coronary artery disease. This rare variant of dual LAD was identified and was confirmed intra-operatively. The patient underwent coronary revascularization with grafts to both the LAD systems. Conclusions Proper assessment of the angiogram and knowledge of the coronary anomalies is required during surgical revascularization and percutaneous coronary interventions. This rare anomaly can be missed due to the anomalous origin of the LAD from the right coronary sinus. The identification of the dual LAD and grafting of both the LAD systems is required to achieve complete revascularization.