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To investigate the expression of phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthase 2 (PRPS2) in the human testis and its clinical significance.Using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, we detected the expression of PRPS2 mRNA in the testis tissue of the men with normal spermatogenesis or mile, moderate or severe hypospermatogenesis (HS) and that of the PRPS2 protein in the testicular biopsy tissue of 67 adult males. Then, we analyzed the relationship of the PRPS2 expressions with the testicular histological types and clinical parameters of the subjects.The expression of PRPS2 mRNA in the testis tissue was significantly higher in the normal spermatogenesis group than in the moderate and severe HS groups (P0.01). The positive expression of the PRPS2 protein was 70.0% in the normal spermatogenesis group, 66.7% in the mild HS group, 50.0% in the moderate HS group and 23.8% in the severe HS group, significantly higher in the normal spermatogenesis and mild HS groups than in the moderate and severe HS groups (P0.01). No significant correlation, however, was observed between the PRPS2 expression and clinical parameters of the subjects (P0.05).PRPS2 is lowly expressed in the testis tissue of the men with hypospermatogenesis and its expression level may help the diagnosis of male infertility and the prediction of the spermatogenic function of the testis.

Inguinal lymph node metastasis is one of the important factors affecting the prognosis of penile cancer. Conventional open inguinal lymphadenectomy, with a high rate of complications, seriously affects the effect of surgery and the patient's quality of life, and therefore is rarely employed nowadays as a treatment option. Video endosopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL), however, can significantly reduce the incidence rate of surgery-related complications, achieve a desirable control of the tumor, and markedly improve the prognosis. This review focuses on the application, development, indications, effectiveness and complications of VEIL in the treatment of penile cancer.

The incidence of prostatic cancer (PCa) has increased significantly, and the measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an effective screening tool for its diagnosis. PCa includes a number of specific clinicopathological types, including squamous cell, urothelial, adenoid cystic and small-cell carcinoma, among which small-cell carcinoma of the prostate (SCCP) is extremely rare, accounting for

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) has been reported to be overexpressed in prostate cancer cells and associated with tumorigenesis in various types of cancer. However, the biological function of lncRNA PVT1 remains largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of lncRNA PVT1 expression on the proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells. Stably transfected prostate cancer cells with downregulated expression of lncRNA PVT1 were constructed by an efficient siRNA fragment, followed by confirmation by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Proliferation was assessed using CCK-8, colony formation and xenograft assays, and cell migration was evaluated using a wound healing assay. The PathScan® Intracellular Signaling Array kit was utilized to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of lncRNA PVT1 expression in prostate cancer cells. RT-qPCR results confirmed that the lncRNA PVT1 expression level was successfully knocked down in prostate cancer cells. When lncRNA PVT1 expression was downregulated in prostate cancer cells, proliferation and migration were significantly inhibited, compared with the control lncRNA PVT1 group. Furthermore, PVT1 knockdown decreased the phosphorylation of p38 in DU145 cells. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that lncRNA PVT1 downregulation inhibits the proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells, and is associated with p38 phosphorylation.

To investigate the composition, function, and regulatory mechanisms of the secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) gene in metastatic prostate cancer.We obtained the data about the whole genomic expression profiles on prostate cancer metastasis from the GEO database, and performed data-mining and bioinformatic analysis using BRB-Array Tools and such softwares as Protparam, MotifScan, SignalP 4.0, TMHMM, NetPhos2.0, PredictProtein, GO, KEGG, and STRING.Totally, 73 co-expressed differential genes in prostate cancer metastasis were identified, 21 up-regulated and 52 down-regulated (P0.01). Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the highly expressed SPP1 gene encoded 314 amino acids and contained 2 N-glycosylation sites, 8 casein kinase II phosphorylation sites and 3 protein kinase C phosphorylation sites, playing essential roles in extracellular matrix (ECM) binding, ossification, osteoblast differentiation, cell adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, focal adhesion, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and ECM-receptor interaction.The bioinformatic method showed a high efficiency in analyzing microarray data and revealing internal biological information. SPP1 may play an important role in prostate cancer metastasis and become a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of prostate cancer metastasis and a new target for its treatment.

To evaluate the impacts of three different surgical approaches to urethral stricture on the erectile function of the patients.This study included 126 male patients with urethral stricture, 35 treated by substitution urethroplasty (group A), 52 by anastomotic urethroplasty (group B), and 39 by internal urethroplasty (group C). We evaluated the pre- and postoperative erectile function of the patients using IIEF-5 scores by telephone calls and interviews. We also monitored their nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT).The IIEF-5 scores in groups A, B and C were 13.5 +/- 4.5, 11.1 +/- 4.8 and 14.5 +/- 4.41 respectively after surgery, all significantly decreased as compared with 17.1 +/- 2.6, 17.1 +/- 3.0 and 17.6 +/- 2.2 preoperatively (P0.05).All the three surgical approaches can reduce IIEF-5 scores in patients with urethral stricture, but anastomotic urethroplasty may induce a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction than the other two approaches.

Male infertility is a common and complex disease in urology and andrology, and for many years there has been no effective surgical treatment. With the emergence of microsurgery and assisted reproductive medicine (IVF/ICSI), rapid development has been achieved in the treatment of male infertility. The Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University has been playing an important leading role in developing microsurgical techniques for the management of male infertility. The development of microsurgical treatment of male infertility in China has experienced the 3 periods of emerging, making, and boosting ever since its systematic introduction from Weill Cornell Medical College 15 years ago. At present, many Chinese hospitals have adopted microsurgery in the management of male infertility, which has contributed to the initial establishment of a microsurgical treatment system for male infertility in China. However, some deficiencies do exist concerning microsurgical treatment of male infertility, as in normalized technical training programs for competent surgeons, unified criteria for evaluation of surgical outcomes, and detailed postoperative follow-up data. This article presents an overview on the 15-year development of microsurgical management of male infertility in China, points out the existing deficiencies, and offers some propositions for the promotion of its development.

Rectal cancer is a common malignancy in the alimentary tract with an increasing incidence, the current treatments of which include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and integrated comprehensive options. Sexual dysfunction, especially erectile dysfunction (ED), is one of the commonest complications in men after rectal cancer treatment and is generally attributed to the damage to the pelvic autonomic nerves. However, recent studies show that ED after rectal cancer treatment is a complex pathophysiological process associated with neurogenic, vasculogenic, and psychological factors. This article reviews the pathogeneses of ED after rectal cancer treatment in order to provide some theoretical evidence for its prevention and treatment.

To explore associated proteins involved in age-related changes of the testis and better understand the roles of these proteins in the human testis.We used two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spec trometry analysis to identify differentially expressed proteins between the aged and the normal control groups. The L-lactate dehydrogenase C chain (LDHC) protein, a previous testis-specific protein, was found to be downregulated in the aged testis and was further tested with western blot and immunohistochemical analysis to verify the result of the LDHC protein in 2-DE.Twelve differentially expressed proteins were identified. Among those proteins, 3 were upregulated and 9 were downregulated in the aged group. The results of western blot and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the expression of LDHC downregulation in the aged testis. Some proteins identified had little well-known function in the human testis, as follows: AKR7A3, FDXR, PGAM1, SEPT2 and HMGCS2.Our results imply that the aged testis can be a good model to find associated proteins involved in age-related changes of the testis. It can be useful to understand the roles of those proteins in the testis.

To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the DZAL gene in infertile Han Chinese males with astheno-teratozoospermia.We collected semen samples from 173 infertile Han Chinese men with astheno-teratozoospermia (case group) and 175 age-matched normal male volunteers (control group) for semen routine and morphological analyses. We obtained genomic DNA, genotyped the polymorphisms of the DAZL gene A260G and A386G via the Sequenom MassARRAY system, and compared the frequencies of the genotypes between the case and control groups.The AA nucleotide variant was found in the A260G and A386G polymorphisms of the DZAL gene in both the cases and controls, but the heterozygous AG variant in neither.The A260G and A386G polymorphisms of the DAZL gene are not correlated with astheno-teratozoospermia-induced male infertility in the Han Chinese population, and therefore could not be considered as molecular markers of male infertility.

To establish a stable and reliable model of Sertoli-cell-only syndrome in mice.We randomly divided 60 NIH mice into two groups of equal number to receive intraperitoneal injection of busulfan (30 mg/kg) and 30 or 60 minutes of testis cooling. At 2, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment, we recorded the survival rate of the mice, weight of the testis and Johnsen scores, and conducted quantitative analysis on the degrees of spermatogenetic failure.There were no significant differences in the baseline body weight and survival rate between the intervention and control groups (P0.05). At 4 and 8 weeks, the testis weight and Johnsen score were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control ([0.04 +/- 0.01] g and [0.05 +/- 0.01] g vs [0.09 +/- 0.03] g and [0.11 +/- 0.02] g, P0.05; 3.86 +/- 0.50 and 2.70 +/- 0.67 vs 9.60 +/- 0.25 and 9.76 +/- 0.43, P0.01). At 2, 4 and 8 weeks, the testis weights were (0.07 +/- 0.02) g, (0.06 +/- 0.01) g and (0.09 +/- 0.01) g, respectively, in the 30-min cooling group and (0.05 +/- 0.01) g, (0.04 +/- 0.02) g and (0.04 +/- 0.02) g in the 60-min cooling group, significantly lower than in the control side at the same time points ([0.11 +/- 0.01] g, [0.11 +/- 0.01] g and [0.12 +/- 0.00] g) (P0.05), and the Johnsen scores were 4.70 +/- 0.67, 2.70 +/- 0.84 and 6.10 +/- 1.14 in the 30-min and 1.67 +/- 0.58, 1.20 +/- 0.45 and 1.00 +/- 0.00 in the 60-min cooling group, remarkably lower than in the control side (9.60 +/- 3.23, 9.60 +/- 0.55 and 9.70 +/- 0.45) (P0.01). Histopathological examination of the cooled testes revealed considerable atrophy of seminal tubules, necrosis of seminiferous epithelia and peritubular fibrosis.Administration of busulfan has no obvious influence on the survival of mice, and is a reliable method for constructing a mouse model of Sertoli-cell-only syndrome.

Both microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSIV) and microsurgical high inguinal varicocelectomy (MHIV) are recommended for the treatment of varicocele, but they differ in technical complexity. This study aimed to determine the microanatomy of spermatic blood vessels in the two surgical approaches.We recorded the numbers of spermatic veins, arteries and lymphatics in 80 cases of MSIV and 20 cases of MHIV. We also examined the spermatic cords from 10 adult male cadavers by histological staining.The numbers of medium spermatic veins (2 -5 mm in diameter) were 1.80 +/- 0.83 and 3.98 +/- 1. 99 in MHIV and MSIV, respectively, with significant difference between the two groups (t = -7.536, P0.01), and the total numbers of spermatic veins were 6.40 +/- 1.67 and 9.01 +/- 2.70, also with significant difference between the two (t = -4.071, P0.01). However, there were no significant differences between MHIV and MSIV in the numbers of small spermatic veins (diameteror = 2 mm), large spermatic veins (diameteror = 5 mm), arteries and lymphatics, nor in the numbers of spermatic veins and arteries of the cadavers.The total number of spermatic veins and the number of medium spermatic veins may be larger in MSIV than in MHIV, but the medium spermatic veins do not increase surgical difficulty, and MSIV is not more complicated than MHIV.

To analyze the embryo development potential after intracytoplasmic injection of sperm from azoospermia patients with different spermatogenic functions.We performed ICSI with sperm retrieved from azoospermia patients with different spermatogenic functions using percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and testicular sperm aspiration (TESA). Then we recorded and analyzed the rates of normal fertilization, cleavages, excellent embryos and pregnancies.No statistically significant differences were found between the PESA and TESA groups in the rates of normal fertilization ([74.9 +/- 19.6] vs [66.3 +/- 22.7]%, P0.05), cleavages ([96.7 +/- 8.6] vs [92.8 +/- 19.8]%, P0.05), excellent embryos ([43.5 +/- 26.2] vs [35.0 +/- 29.4]%, P0.05) and pregnancies (44.0 vs 52.0%, P0.05). The normal fertilization rates in the patients with normal spermatogenesis, mild spermatogenic dysfunction (SD), moderate SD and severe SD were (77.8 +/- 18.4), (68.4 +/- 18.5), (73.5 +/- 19.8) and (51.4 +/- 27.9)%, respectively, with significant difference between the normal spermatogenesis and mild SD groups (P0.05) as well as between the severe SD and the other groups (P0.05); the cleavage rates were (96.7 +/- 9.2), (96.5 +/- 15.0), (93.9 +/- 12.1) and (93.7 +/- 11.1)%, respectively, with no significant difference among the four groups; the excellent embryo rates were (47.1 +/- 25.8), (40.3 +/- 27.6), (36.2 +/- 23.1) and (15.0 +/- 24.6)%, respectively, with significant difference between the severe SD and the other groups; the pregnancy rates were 54.8, 50.0, 13.6 and 10.0%, respectively, with significant differences among the four groups (P0.001).ICSI by PESA or TESA is an effective approach to azoospermia. There are no significant differences between PESA and TESA in the rates of normal fertilization, cleavages, excellent embryos and pregnancies. The severity of spermatogenic dysfunction affects fertilization and initial development of embryos, which were shown in the rates of normal fertilization, excellent embryos and pregnancies but not that of cleavages.

To investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the Protamine 1 (PRM1) gene in infertile men with teratozoospermia.We collected semen samples from 157 infertile men with teratozoospermia (case group) and 37 age-matched male volunteers (control group), and subjected them to morphological analysis. We extracted genome DNA, genotyped the polymorphism of the PRM1-190C-A SNP (rs2301365) using the Sequenom MassARRAY system, compared the genotype frequencies between the case and control groups, and analyzed the sperm morphological parameters of different genotypes in the infertile males with teratozoospermia.The frequencies of the genotypes CC, CA and AA were 38.9% (61), 44.6% (70) and 16.6% (26) in the case group, as compared with 45.9% (17), 51.4% (19) and 2.7% (1) in the control, with that of AA significantly higher in the patients than in the volunteers (P0.05). The frequencies of the alleles C and A were 57.6% and 42.4% in the former, with no significant differences from 71.6% and 28.4% in the latter (P0.05). Nor were any statistically significant differences observed in sperm morphology parameters between the genotype CC and CA, AA and CA + AA in the male patients (P0.05).The SNP of PRM1-190C-A might be associated with teratozoospermia-induced male infertility in the Han Chinese. Although this SNP may attribute to abnormal sperm morphology, the targeted part of sperm remains unclear.

To observe the efficacy of Qilin Pills in the treatment of oligoasthenospermia.We conducted a multi-centered open controlled clinical trial by including 220 oligoasthenospermia patients in a trial group and another 110 as controls. The patients in the trial group were treated with Qilin Pills at the dose of 6 g tid, and the controls given Wuziyanzong Pills at 6 g bid, both for a course of 12 weeks. Then we evaluated the clinical effects of Qilin Pills with sperm concentration, the numbers of grade a and grade a + b sperm, and sperm motility as the primary, and the pregnancy rate of the patients'spouses as the secondary therapeutic indexes.A total of 310 patients accomplished the clinical trial, 208 in the trial and 102 in the control group. Compared with the baseline, significant improvement was observed in the semen parameters after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment in both the trial and control groups except sperm density and the number of grade a sperm in the control after 4 weeks (P0.01), and the improvement was even more significant in all the semen parameters at the same time points in the trial than in the control group (P0.01).Qilin Pills can evidently improve the seminal quality of oligoasthenospermia patients with no obvious adverse events.

To study the differentially expressed genes in asthenospermia to gain a deeper insight into the molecular mechanisms of the disease.We analyzed the differentially expressed genes in asthenospermia using GATHER, PANTHER and ToppGene online bioinformatics tools.Our bioinformatics mining and analyses revealed that the differentially expressed genes in asthenospermia played important roles in the cellular protein and macromolecular metabolism, protein modification, cell death, cell apoptosis and apoptosis induction.Asthenospermia patients experience a decline in sperm activity and the basic life activities of sperm simultaneously, and are also prone to cell apoptosis or death. Such differentially expressed genes as KIF3B, MYO15A, KIF6, KIF26B, KIF3A, DNHD2, DMN, DYNC2H1, STARD9, MYOHD1, and TPM1, which are involved in cytoskeletal structure, microtubule movement and cell movement, may be associated with asthenospermia, and therefore deserve further studies.

To investigate whether there are different stromal compositions in the prostate tissue of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and evaluate their significance in the course of the disease.Forty-three surgical or bioptic prostatic specimens of BPH and 5 autoptic normal prostatic specimens were stained by the Masson method to display the elements of the muscle fiber and collagen. The relationship of the changes in the prostatic stromal composition was analyzed with the degree of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) , IPSS and medication results.The mean ratio of muscle fiber to collagen in the normal prostate tissue was (3.2 +/- 0.2):1, significantly higher than that of the BPH patients (1: [4.7 +/- 3.1] ) (P0.01); that in the BPH patients with BOO was 1: (5.4 +/- 3.7) markedly lower than in those without BOO (1: [2.5 +/- 1.1] ) (P = 0.02); that in the BPH patients with severe prostatic symptoms was 1: (9.1 +/- 2.9), remarkably lower than in those with moderate (1: [5.3 +/- 3.4]) and mild prostatic symptoms (1: [2.8 +/- 1.7]) (P0.01); and that in the BPH patients with satisfactory medicinal therapeutic results was 1:(2.3 +/- 1.9), significantly higher than in those with poor therapeutic results (1: [7.6 +/- 4.3]) (P0.01).The stromal composition in the prostatic tissue of BPH patients undergoes different degrees of changes. More obvious BPH symptoms and poorer therapeutic results are associated with a bigger proportion of collagens and a smaller proportion of muscle fibers in the prostatic tissue. These changes may play an important role in the development and progression of BPH.

To investigate the location of heme oxygenase (HO) enzyme in the human testis, and explore the correlation of the expression of HO enzyme with azoospermia by analyzing its different expression levels in the testes of nonobstructive azoospermia, obstructive azoospermia and normal men.We detected the location of the cells expressing HO enzyme in the human testis tissue using immunohistochemistry, determined the mRNA and protein expression levels of HO-1 and HO-2 in the testes of azoospermia patients and normal healthy men by RT-fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-FQ-PCR) and Western blot, and explored the correlation of HO expressions with the pathogenesis of azoospermia.HO-1 enzyme was expressed mainly in the Sertoli cells and HO-2 enzyme chiefly in the germ cells of the testis tissue. RT-FQ-PCR showed that the expression of HO-1 in the testis tissue was significantly lower in the nonobstructive azoospermia than in the normal and obstructive azoospermia groups (P0.05), with no significant difference between the latter two. Western blot revealed no obvious difference between the expression level of HO-1 protein and that of HO-1 mRNA. There were no differences in the expression level of HO-2 protein among the three groups.The expression level of HO enzyme is significantly decreased in the testis tissue of nonobstructive azoospermia patients, and the expression of HO-1 protein is consistent with that of HO-1 mRNA. As HO-1 protects the testis tissue against various stress injuries through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, its decreased expression level may be correlated with spermatogenic dysfunction, and therefore considered as a possible mechanism of nonobstructive azoospermia.

To investigate the efficacy and possible action mechanism of Qianlie Beixi Capsules in the treatment of unliquefiable semen.A total of 190 patients with unliquefiable semen were treated with Qianlie Beixi Capsules for 1 or 2 courses (3 weeks per a course). The seminal changes were observed and recorded.Of the 190 patients in the 1-course treatment arm, 99 were cured and 91 failed to respond after the first course. And the effectiveness rate was 52.1%. Of the 122 patients in the 2-course treatment arm, 81 were cured and 41 failed to respond after the second course. And the effectiveness rate was 66.4%. The efficacy of 2-course regimen was obviously better than that of 1-course regiment. In the meantime, sperm density improved in the 2-course treatment arm. Sperm motility improved slightly in the effective subjects of 1-course treatment arm. All the above results had statistically significant differences (P0.05).Qianlie Beixi Capsules is both safe and effective for unliquefiable semen and may shorten the time of seminal liquefaction.

To report our data of patients with clinical stage T(1-3)N(1-2)M(0) renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and explore the biological behavior of this malignancy.A total of 531 patients with no distant metastatic RCC underwent open radical nephrectomy at our institution between 1988 and 2008, among whom 42 patients with histological nodal metastases had successful surgical tumor resection. The clinical data and outcomes of the 42 patients were analyzed.Of those 42 patients, 19.0% had T1, 21.4% had T2, and 59.5% had T3 stage tumors; 42.9% had N1 and 57.1% had N2 stage tumors. Tumor recurred in 30 (71.4%) patients after the surgery, and death occurred in 26 (61.9%) cases at the last follow-up; among the recurrent cases, 83.3% (25/30) had multiple metastases at the initial recurrence. The median cancer-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was 23 and 11 months in these cases, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that Fuhrman grade (P=0.005), N stage (P=0.014) and T stage (P=0.037) were the independent predictors of CSS; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) (P=0.002), tumor size (P=0.007), Fuhrman grade (P=0.009) and N stage (P=0.019) were the independent predictors of DFS.Patients with T(1-3)N(1-2)M(0) RCC have poor prognosis. N stage is an independent predictor of both CSS and DFS, suggesting that extended lymph node dissection should be performed when suspicious enlarged nodal disease is found during surgery.

To investigate the mRNA and protein expression levels of cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP2) in the sperm of asthenospermia patients, and explore their relationship with sperm motility and related molecular mechanism.We collected 78 semen samples from adult male patients with asthenospermia and another 70 from healthy volunteers as controls. We extracted total RNA and total protein from the sperm following purification of the sperm by Percoll gradient centrifugation, and detected the relative expressions of CRISP2 mRNA and protein in the two groups by RT-PCR, SYBR Green real-time PCR and Western blot.The expression of CRISP2 mRNA was down-regulated by 4.3 times and that of the CRISP2 protein by 1.71 times in the asthenospermia patients, significantly lower than in the normal control group (P0.05).The down-regulation of CRISP2 mRNA and protein expressions in the sperm of asthenospermia patients may be closely related with decreased sperm motility, which suggests that CRISP2 may serve as a potential molecular target for the research of asthenospermia.

To explore the effects of low-dose oral tadalafil on self-esteem, confidence and sexual relationship in ED patients.We treated 17 ED patients with oral tadalafil at the low dose of 5 mg once daily for 12 weeks, and used the paired t test to compare their scores on The Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire (SEAR) and IIEF-5 and the results of nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) obtained by nocturnal electrobioimpedance volumetric assessment (NEVA) before and after the medication.The scores on SEAR and IIEF-5 were significantly increased (P0.01) and NPT markedly improved (P0.05) after tadalafil treatment as compared with the baseline.Low-dose oral tadalafil once daily can significantly improve the self-esteem, confidence, sexual relationship satisfaction and NPT of ED patients.

The ratio of psychological to organic ED changes with aging. This study aimed to analyze the results of nocturnal electrobioimpedance volumetric assessment (NEVA) for ED patients of different age groups and their significance in the diagnosis of ED.A total of 83 ED patients were divided into 4 age groups (or = 29 yr, 30 -39 yr, 40 -49 yr andor = 50 yr) and detected for nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) by NEVA.Thirty-four of the cases were diagnosed as organic ED, and the other 49 as psychological ED. With the increase of age, the former was increased from 30.3% in theor = 29 yr group to 60.0% in theor = 50 yr group, while the latter decreased from 69.7% to 40.0%.The percentage of organic ED tends to grow with the increase of age, while that of psychological ED is just the opposite.

To study the clinicopathological characteristics of synchronous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the renal pelvis and SCC of the ureter.The clinical data of two cases of synchronous SCC of the renal pelvis and SCC of the ureter were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. In case 1, a 68-year-old man with hematuria for a month, imaging modalities revealed a right renal pelvis tumor and a right distal ureter tumor. The patient underwent nephroureterectomy and excision of the bladder cuff. Case 2, a 60-year-old man with the complaint of lower abdominal pain and left flank pain for a month, was diagnosed as left distal ureteral stone in another hospital. Ureterolithotomy was performed and a ureteral tumor was found at the lower site of the stone intraoperatively. The pathological report demonstrated SCC, and the patient was transferred to our hospital for further treatment. We found a left renal mass invading the left hemicolon during surgery, and nephroureterectomy was performed with a bladder cuff excision, left hemicolon resection, and also complete lymph node dissection. Neither of patients received adjuvant radiotherapy/chemotherapy.Moderately differentiated SCC was reported in both of renal pelvis and ureter in case 1 and the tumor invaded the subepithelial connective tissue in the renal pelvis and superficial muscle in the ureter. In case 2, moderately differentiated SCC of the left renal pelvis with colon metastasis and poorly differentiated SCC of the ureter was reported with two retroperitoneal lymph node metastases. The two patients died from tumor recurrence and metastasis 5 and 6 months after the surgery, respectively.Synchronous SCC of the renal pelvis and SCC of the ureter are rare and has high likeliness of early recurrence and metastasis, often with poor prognosis.

To appraise the effect of single- and two-layer Percoll density gradient centrifugation in sperm separation.Twenty semen specimens underwent single-(50%) and two-layer (90% and 45%) density gradient centrifugation, respectively. The sperm class analyzer (SCA) was used to analyze sperm density, motility and dynamic parameters and round cell density before and after the treatment.After separation, the sperm recovery rate of the single-layer method was (65.5 +/- 12.8)%, significantly higher than that of the two-layer method (P0.01). The percentages of grade a sperm of the single- and two-layer method were significantly higher than pre-treatment (P0.05, P0.01), that of the single-layer was significantly lower than that of the two-layer method (P0.05), but the percentage of grade c sperm of the former was significantly higher than that of the latter (P0.05). Compared with pre-treatment, the percentage of grade a + b sperm of the two-layer method was significantly higher (P0.05), while that of the single-layer method showed no significant difference (P0.05), and the round cell density of both the methods was significantly lower (P0.05, P0.01), with no significant differences between the two methods (P0.05).The single-layer method yields a higher rate of sperm recovery and causes little change in the sperm motility, while the two-layer method effects a lower rate and significantly improves sperm motility. Both the methods can efficiently separate sperm from round cells, and each has its own advantages and its application value in in vitro treatment of sperm.

To compare the differences of the gene expressions in androgen-independent and androgen-dependent prostate cancer (ADPC), gain a deeper insight into the molecular mechanism of androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC), and find effective means for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.Eats of genes highly-associated with prostate cancer were obtained by mining PubMed with the FACTA tool, and the specifically expressed genes in AIPC were analyzed with a set of bioinformatic tools including GATHER, PANTHER, STRING and ToppGene.A total of 128 genes specifically expressed in AIPC were identified, as compared with 23 that were specific to ADPC. Bioinformatic analysis showed the essential roles of AIPC-specific genes in such important biological processes as cell signal transduction, cell adhesion, apoptosis, oncogenesis, cell proliferation and cell differentiation.Such genes as MMPJ, EGFR, MMP2, ADM, MIF, IGFBP3, 112, MET, BAD, RHOA, SPP1, EP300, SMAD3, RAE1, PTK2, and TGFB2 may play important roles in transforming ADPC into AIPC.

One of the most common causes of male infertility is asthenospermia, whose pathogenesis, however, is not yet clear. Recent researches have found that some genes (such as tektin-2, DNAI1, DNAH5, DNAH11, AKAP4, SEPT4 and Smcp) and proteins (such as sperm proteins ACTB, ANXA5, PRM1, PRM2 and SABP and seminal proteins Tf, PSA, PAP and Fractalkine) are associated with asthenospermia. The finding of these molecular markers has provided a base for the explanation of the molecular mechanism of asthenospermia, and these markers may become the diagnostic and therapeutic targets of the disease.

To investigate the efficacy of tadalafil on nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT).Thirty-four patients with organic erectile dysfunction (ED) were treated with oral tadalafil at the dose of 10 mg/3 d before bedtime. A month later, 14 of the patients were observed for NPT by nocturnal electrobioimpedance volumetric assessment (NEVA).The parameters of erectile function significantly improved in the 14 patients (P0.05).Oral administration of minute dose of tadalafil can improve NPT in organic ED patients.

To separate and identify human testicular embryonal carcinoma proteomics using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry.Immobilized pH gradient two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to separate the total proteins of the samples. After silver staining, PDQuest 7.30 image analysis software was applied to analyze the 2-DE images. Three of the proteins highly expressed in human testicular embryonal carcinoma were identified by matrix-assisted laser adsorption/ionization-time of flight-tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS/MS).2-DE effectively screened the differentially expressed proteins in the carcinoma tissues. Three proteins highly expressed in the carcinoma were successfully identified.The proteins of human testicular embryonal carcinoma can be effectively separated and analyzed using 2-DE and mass spectrometry. Proteomic analysis offers a new means for further study of this carcinoma.

To analyze the specifically expressed genes in sperms for better understanding of the molecular characteristics of sperms.The hybridization data the genes in the sperms, oocytes and 10 normal tissues were retrieved from the GEO database to identify the genes expressed specifically in sperms and the patterns of their regulation using such bioinformatic tools as GATHER, PANTHER and DAVID.Comparison of the spermatozoal gene expression profiles with those of the normal tissues identified 8998 differentially expressed probes, among which 25 genes were up-regulated by over 200 folds in the sperms. Comparison of the gene expression profiles between the oocytes and normal tissues resulted in the identification of 8981 differentially expressed probes. Of the 1709 up-regulated genes in the sperm with a ratio5, 1218 genes showed similar expressions in the oocytes and the normal tissues, and 129 were up-regulated and 362 down-regulated in the oocytes. The 362 genes up-regulated in the sperms but down-regulated in the oocytes were involved mainly in protein modification and metabolism and nucleic acid metabolism, but very few participated in the intracellular signaling pathways. Numerous transcriptional factors containing the KRAB domain and receptor- independent serine/threonine kinase were specifically overexpressed in sperms, and the a very high proportion of the genes specifically overexpressed in the sperms coincided with the overexpressed genes in the neural stem cells and embryonic stem cells. The genes involved in the glycolysis were down-regulated in the sperms. These findings in the genes specifically expressed in the sperms by data mining using bioinformatic methods may provide better insight into the molecular characteristics of the sperms.

To compare suprapubic puncture and transurethral catheterization for pressure-flow determination during voiding in BPH patients.Both suprapubic puncture and transurethral catheterization were used for pressure-flow determinations during voiding in 23 BPH patients at the mean age of 69.3 years (range 57-77 years) and the related parameters were compared by t-test.Compared with transurethral catheterization, suprapubic puncture increased Qmax by 1.19 mn/s (P0.05) and MMC by 66.61 ml (P0.01) , and reduced the pressure of detrusor at Qmax (Pdet, Qmax) by 10.57 cmH2O (P0.05), URA by 11.39 cmH2O (P0.01) and AG by 12.94 (P0.01). Either according to the Schäfer diagram or with AG40 as the diagnostic standard, there were 16 (69.6%) cases of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in the suprapubic puncture group and 20 (87.0%) in the transurethral catheterization group.In pressure-flow determination during voiding, suprapubic puncture and transurethral catheterization each have its own advantages and disadvantages, but the former is preferred for BPH patients. As for other patients, it all depends on specific conditions.

To investigate the best dose and the long-term effect of the human insulin-like growth factor-1 (hIGF-1) gene injection into the penis of aged rats.Included in this study were 10 young (4 months old) and 40 aged (24 months old) Sprague-Dawley male rats, the latter equally divided into a PBS control and a 10 microg, a 100 microg and a 1 000 microg hIGF-1 injection group. Electrical stimulation was conducted 4 and 8 weeks after hIGF-1 injection into the penile corpus cavernous of the rats to detect the intracavernous pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Dose - and time -associated therapeutic results were analyzed and the mRNA expression of hIGF-1 determined by RT - PCR.ICP, MAP and total ICP were significant decreased by electrical stimulation in the aged rats as compared with the young ones (P0.05), statistically increased in the three hIGF-1 dose groups in comparison with the PBS controls (P0.05), and showed no obvious difference between the young rats and the latter two dose groups at 4 and 8 weeks. Although less obvious effect was achieved in the 10 microg group than in the young rats, the therapeutic result was still of significance. The mRNA expression of the hIGF-1 gene was confirmed in all the hIGF-1 treated rats.The hIGF-1 therapy can improve erectile function in aged rats, 100 microg suffices for effective erection and the effect may last at least 8 weeks for a single dose.

To explore the correlation of the mutation of MTCYB and MTATP6 genes in sperm mitochondria with asthenospermia.We extracted mtDNA from 80 semen samples of asthenospermia and 20 of normal sperm motility, amplified the MTCYB and MTATP6 genes by PCR, and analyzed their mutation by sequencing and BLAST matching.The deletion of both MTCYB and MTATP6 were detected in 20 of the 80 asthenospermia samples, MTCYB deletion in 16 and MTATP6 deletion in 4, accounting for 20% and 5% respectively. Sequencing and BLAST matching revealed G8887A mutation in the MTATP6 gene in the asthenospermia samples, with a mutation rate of 20%, while no regular mutation was noted in MTCYB. Neither significant deletion nor mutation was observed in any of the 20 samples of normal sperm motility.Both the deletion and mutation of MTCYB and MTATP6 genes in sperm mitochondria might affect sperm motility in adults.

To investigate the effects of transurethral catheterization on the uroflow rate in the pressure-flow study of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Thirty-nine men with BPH underwent free uroflowmetry and pressure-flow analysis respectively. With an 8 F urethral catheter, the standard pressure-flow variables such as the maximum flow rate, detrusor pressure at the maximum flow rate and so on were recorded. The free maximum flow rate and the maximum flow rate with transurethral catheterization were statistically analyzed.The maximum voided volumes of the free uroflowmetry group and the pressure-flow study group were (209.23 +/- 56. 56) ml and (210.33 +/- 62.02) ml respectively (P0.05). The free maximum flow rate was (8.61 +/- 2.80) ml/s, and the maximum flow rate with transurethral catheterization-was (7.39 +/- 3.01) ml/s (P0.05). When the patients were divided into seven grades of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) according to the Schäfer nomogram, the free maximum flow rate and the maximum flow rate with transurethral catheterization with Grade 0-I of BOO were (12.56 +/- 1.57) ml/s and (10.95 +/- 2.51) ml/s, and those of Grade II were (9.35 +/- 0.76) ml/s and (8.41 +/- 1.23) ml/s respectively. For Grades III, IV and V-VI , the two maximum flow rates were (7.88 +/- 1.21) ml/s and (6.37 +/- 0.59) ml/s, (6.54 +/- 1.93) ml/s and (5.55 +/- 2.48) ml/s, and (6.01 +/- 2.10) ml/s and (4.84 +/- 2.89) ml/s, respectively, all with significant difference in between (P0.05).The 8 F urethral catheter has a significant effect on the maximum uroflow rate in the pressure-flow study and this effect is correlated with the grade of BOO.

To perform the detection of spermatozoal gene expression in order to accelerate the study of spermatozoal molecular biology.To collect the healthy adults sperm and lymphocytes respectively, and then to extract the total RNAs from them by RNeasy mini kit (QIAGEN) or Trizol reagent. Corresponding cDNAs were produced, digested, ligated, finally labeled with Cy3 (sperm) and CyS (lymphocyte) in the course of RD amplifying reactions. Hybridization with self-made microarrays contained 560 probes was carried out after the labeled cDNAs pured by PCR Product Purification Kit.Among the 560 probes, 72 genes were up-regulated, 321 genes were down-regulated, the others had no different expression. Furthermore, genes associated with replication, transcription, translation and regulative functions were non-different expression or down-regulated, and those belonged to the spermatogenesis associated, sperm associated antigen were up-regulated, but those involved in the glycolysis were up-regulated, in the oxidative phosphorylation were down-regulated.It had successfully confirmed that there were a plenty of genes expressed in sperm, furthermore the genes expressed were accorded to spermatozoal functions and characteristics.

To screen differentially expressed genes in cytochalasin B (CB)-induced denucleated K562 cells by restriction display (RD) technique.The total RNA was isolated and purified from K562 cells before and after CB (10 mug/ml) treatment. The mRNA from both treated and untreated K562 cells were reversely transcribed into cDNA, and the differentially expressed genes were separated using RD technique combined with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and sliver staining, followed by cloning, sequencing and homology analysis against GenBank database of these genes.Seven differentially expressed genes were identified in CB-treated cells including aquaporin 1 (AQP1) gene, which was verified to be up-regulated after CB treatment by RT-PCR.AQP1 gene might be in close association with the regulation of denucleation processes and CB-induced proliferation inhibition of K562 cells.

To establish a model for dynamic detection of adipocyte differentiation in vivo by green fluorescent protein (GFP).The promoter of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPARgamma2) gene was amplified by PCR from the genomic DNA of human preadipocytes, inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-1 and transferred into NIH3T3 fibroblasts and preadipocytes which were induced to differentiate into adipocyte.Upon induction with insulin, dexamethasone and 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine, the transformed human preadipocytes differentiated into mature adipocytes and expressed GFP, but NIH3T3 fibroblasts could not differentiate into adipocytes or express GFP.Transformation of human preadipocytes with the recombinant of PPARgamma2 promoter with GFP gene can be employed to dynamically detect the differentiation of adipocytes in vivo.

To study two amine modification procedures for DNA microarray preparation based on polymeric coatings.One of the proposed approaches utilized poly-amine coating of silanized slides activated by 1,4-phenylene diisothiocyanate, and the other employed acrylic acid-co-acrylamide copolymer and 1-(3-dimethylamino propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide as the coating agents and activator, respectively. The modified slides were used for preparing lambda phage DNA microarrays, whose properties were analyzed by hybridization.Formation of dendrimeric structure and polymer was observed on the surface of the slides. The signal spots in uniform, steady and regular shape, in comparison with the commercial CMT-GAPS slides, indicated successful manufacture of the microarrays.The two platforms are suitable for microarray preparation, and the method of acrylic acid-co-acrylamide copolymer modification is more preferred.

To study the association of S100A4 mRNA expression level with the differentiation and metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).Tissue specimens were obtained from 31 patients undergoing surgery for renal cell carcinomas between May 2001 and May 2004. Reverse transcriptional PCR was performed for amplification of S100A4 mRNA (212 bp) from 31 RCC tissues and matched normal kidney tissues besides the tumor, and the differential S100A4 mRNA expression was analyzed for its association with the clinical manifestations of the patients.S100A4 mRNA expression was detected in all the RCC tissues and normal tissues adjacent to the carcinoma using fluorescence method, and in 29 cases, S100A4 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the RCC tissues than in the matched adjacent tissues. One case had high expressions in both tissues. Patients with poorly differentiated RCC had significantly higher S100A4 expression index than those with well differentiated RCC (7.94 vs 5.06, P0.001), and patients with metastasis also had higher expression index (9.61 vs 5.53, P0.001). No obvious difference was noted in the expression index between granular cell tumor and clear cell carcinoma (6.98 vs 6.02, P0.05).S100A4 may serve as a marker for assessing the progression of RCC and provide assistance for clinical therapeutic decisions. S100A4 mRNA expression is correlated to RCC differentiation and may facilitate prognostic evaluation of RCC. Differential expression of S100A4 mRNA is correlated to the metastasis of RCC.

Subtractive hybridization technology is a common method to screen and clone differentially expressed genes. This study was to construct subtracted cDNA library of leukemia cell line K562, and screen for differentially expressed genes.cDNA fragments of K562 cells (tester), prepared by restriction display (RD), were subtracted with the Sau3A I-digested cDNA fragments of normal lymphocytes (driver). The subtracted cDNA fragments were re-amplified, and cloned into pMD18-T vectors. Positive clones were selected by blue-white screening. The inserts in plasmid were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and some of which were sequenced.The subtracted library contained 360 positive clones with cDNA fragments distributed mainly from 200 to 800 bp. The 50 randomly sequenced clones were derived from 42 known genes.Specific subtracted cDNA library of K562 cells was successfully constructed with reliable quality, and may be used to further screen and clone differentially expressed genes of K562 cells.

To clone the obesity gene of Chinese and express human leptin in E.coli.The obesity gene was amplified from the total RNA isolated from cultured human adipocytes of Chinese by reverse transcriptional PCR, inserted into TA-vector and cloned into the expression plasmid pBV220 after sequence identification.DNA sequencing confirmed that the isolated obesity gene was identical to the previously reported sequence. The recombinant plasmid pBV220-OB was constructed and leptin successfully expressed in E.coli.Successful cloning and expression of human obesity gene in E.coli may facilitate further research of the mechanism of fat metabolism and adipocyte differentiation.

To evaluate the effects of preoperative chemotherapy for Wilms' tumor.Thirty-five surgically treated cases of Wilms tumor were retrospectively analyzed, 27 of which received preoperative chemotherapy.After chemotherapy, the tumor volume reduced obviously in 17 cases and adverse effects of the chemotherapeutic agents occurred in 15 cases. Subsequent operation was performed in all the patients, of whom 1 died during the operation, 4 had delayed healing of the incisions and 5 still had decreased leucocytes.Chemotherapy before the operation for Wilms tumor can effectively reduce the complications of the operation. Appropriate chemotherapy protocol and vigorous conservative drug therapy help prevent the occurrence of adverse effects and complications of the chemotherapy.

To screen tumor-specific genes of K562 cells using DNA microarray technique.The genomic DNA of normal white blood cells and cultured K562 cells were respectively purified and digested with Sau3A I, and the digested DNA fragments of K562 cells were cloned into TA cloning vector to construct the corresponding genomic DNA library. The insert genomic DNA fragments were amplified from the library to prepare the microarray using Cartesian 5500 Microarrayer. The digested genomic DNA fragments of normal white blood cells were labeled with fluorescent Cy3 by restriction display PCR (RD-PCR), followed by hybridization with the microarray, after which the slide was washed and scanned with ScanArray.Among the 426 target genes, 42 differential genes were identified in the genomic DNA of K562 cells in comparison with the normal white blood cells. One of the genes was identified as the breakpoint cluster gene (BCR) after sequence analysis.The DNA microarrays we constructed may effectively identify the tumor-specific genes in K562 cells, and DNA microarray technique can be helpful in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis at the genomic level.

To study the preparation of oligonucleotide microarray for detecting vaccinia virus.Oligonucleotide probes were designed and synthesized according to the specific genes of vaccinia virus. Sample DNA of the virus and the negative control sample were obtained and labeled by restriction display technique, followed by hybridization to the oligonucleotide microarray and scanned by Agilent scanner.Strong hybridization signals were detected from the viral DNA hybridized with the microarray, but were absent in the negative sample when positive probes were not used.Distinct differences in the hybridization signals between the virus sample and negative sample and between the samples obtained in different phase of infection demonstrate high specificity and sensitivity of the microarray for vaccinia virus detection.