Role of Serum High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein as a Predictor of Therapeutic Response to Tadalafil in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction: A Prospective Observational Study

IntroductionHigh-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a marker of inflammation, is known to be elevated in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). However, its role in predicting therapeutic response to phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors is incompletely understood.AimThe aim of this study was to understand the relationship among hs-CRP, mechanism of ED, and therapeutic response of ED to tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor.MethodsA total of 282 men (mean age 36.6 ± 12.0 years) with ED were included. All subjects underwent detailed evaluation, including estimation of a 6-item abbreviated version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-6) score, penile Doppler studies, and measurement of hs-CRP. IIEF-6 scoring and hs-CRP measurement were repeated after 6 weeks of tadalafil therapy (10 mg/day). The patients were categorized into vasculogenic and nonvasculogenic ED groups based on penile Doppler findings.Main Outcome MeasureThe main outcome measure was the therapeutic response to tadalafil, in relation to the mechanism of ED and hs-CRP levels.ResultsVasculogenic ED was much less common (23.8% of the subjects) than non-vasculogenic ED. Subjects with vasculogenic ED were older, had higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, had more severe (mean IIEF-6 score 9.2 ± 4.6 vs 14.8 ± 4.7; P < .001) and longer duration ED, and responded less favorably to therapy (response rate 10.4% vs 75.0%; P < .001). Those showing improvement with tadalafil had lower hs-CRP at baseline (median 1.5 mg/L [interquartile range 0.9?2.3] vs 2.0 mg/L [interquartile range 1.1?3.1; P = .034]) and had proportionately greater reduction in its level. However, on multivariate analysis, only shorter duration of ED (P = .008), non-vasculogenic origin (P = .025), and higher IIEF-6 score at baseline (P = .013) were independent predictors of response to treatment.Clinical ImplicationsSerum hs-CRP is elevated in patients who are less likely to respond to vasodilator therapy but does not have an independent predictive value for this purpose.Strengths & LimitationsThis is the largest study to evaluate the relationship among the mechanism of ED, serum hs-CRP level, and therapeutic response of ED to tadalafil. All patients underwent a penile Doppler study to characterize the type of ED. The limitations were nonrandomized nature of the study and nearly 22% dropout rate.ConclusionSerum hs-CRP level is higher in vasculogenic ED compared with non-vasculogenic ED, and is associated with poorer response to tadalafil therapy. However, this association is not independent of underlying risk factors and mechanism of ED.Jamaluddin, Bansal M, Srivastava GK, et al. Role of Serum High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein as a Predictor of Therapeutic Response to Tadalafil in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction: A Prospective Observational Study. J Sex Med 2019;16:1912–1921.     

甲型流感病毒非结构蛋白1抑制干扰素抗病毒反应的研究进展

IFN-α/β是机体对抗外来病原体的第一道防线，其产生和后续激活的细胞信号转导可诱导具有抑制病毒感染和复制作用的IFN刺激基因的表达。然而，大多数病毒可通过表达一种或多种蛋白抵抗宿主细胞的抗病毒反应。流感病毒非结构蛋白1（nonstructural protein 1，NS1）作为多功能毒力因子，在流感病毒感染过程中起重要作用。此文概述了NS1的结构与功能及抑制IFN-α/β产生和抗病毒效应作用的机制，为研究流感病毒致病机理提供参考。     

Social cognitive correlates of device-measured and self-reported physical activity in Black and White individuals with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundThere is increasing research interest regarding physical activity behavior among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), yet there is little known about physical activity and its correlates in Black persons with MS.ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study assessed associations among social cognitive theory (SCT) variables and device-measured and self-reported physical activity in samples of Black and White persons with MS.MethodsParticipants included 67 Black and 141 White persons with MS who wore an ActiGraph accelerometer on a belt around the waist measuring moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for seven days and completed a battery of questionnaires. Questionnaires included demographic and clinical characteristics, leisure-time exercise, exercise self-efficacy, overcoming barriers self-efficacy, function, social support, exercise outcome expectations, and goal setting and planning.ResultsBlack participants with MS engaged in significantly less MVPA, but not sedentary behavior or light physical activity, than the White participants with MS. Black participants further had significantly lower levels of exercise self-efficacy and outcome expectations than the White sample. All SCT correlates were significantly correlated with self-reported physical activity, but only exercise and barriers self-efficacy, perceived function, and exercise goal setting were associated with device-measured MVPA. The difference in physical activity between Black and White participants with MS was accounted for by differences in exercise self-efficacy and outcome expectations.ConclusionsResearchers should consider developing behavioral interventions that target exercise self-efficacy and outcome expectations as SCT variables for increasing physical activity in Black persons with MS.     

医疗器械检测和校准实验室设备信息化管理的设计与开发

目的:研发实验室信息管理系统仪器设备数据库,实现检测与校准仪器的信息化管理。方法:在研究国家标准"GB/T27025-2008检测和校准实验室能力的通用要求"的基础上,运用编程语言Delphi7.0和微软SQL Server 2000开发后台数据库,分析其中涉及实验室设备管理、量值溯源等要素。结果:获取到所需要的数据字段和程序流程,完成功能模块数据库的集成。结论:在符合国家标准质量体系要求的前提下,建立检测和校准实验室仪器设备信息化管理的基础架构。     

Étude d’une population d’enfants porteurs de paralysie cérébrale : description de caractéristiques cliniques potentiellement corrélées à la morbidité respiratoire

ObjectiveDescribe the history of respiratory morbidity in a population of 30 children with cerebral palsy and to link this development with different clinical signs that may have an impact on lung function. The prospects of such a study would identify some clinical criteria, risk markers for respiratory pathologies, easy to detect outside a hospital setting.MethodsData collection from folder items of each child: health record, nursing records, medical and paramedical folder, and gathering additional information by questionnaires to speech therapists and educators.ResultsIt appears that the more children with cerebral palsy are severely affected in their motor skills, the more they have substantial respiratory history. Children who belong to category 5 on the scale of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMF-CS) present the following common characteristics: more episodes of inflammations and/or infections of the upper and lower airways than children having lower quotes GMF-CS, postural weakness of the trunk (100%), control deficits of breath and speech (100%), deficits in motor control and sensory integration of the buccal cavity, pharynx and larynx, characterized by impaired swallowing (100%), salivary leakage (100%), a suitable diet and risk of aspiration in 8 of 9 cases, an underweight in 7 of 9 cases. Children of categories GMF-CS below do not include all these features so significantly. However, some children rated 4 have some of these features added.ConclusionChildren with cerebral palsy do not seem all equal faced to respiratory events; the motor and nutritional characteristics identified in our work should be studied as part of a prospective cohort study in order to determine their relevance or not as a respiratory disease risk factor disabling on medium-term. The final aim would be to develop the preventive aspect of the respiratory care of children with cerebral palsy.     

Técnicas de imagen híbridas en cardiopatía isquémica

Hybrid imaging for ischemic heart disease refers to the fusion of information from a single or usually from multiple cardiovascular imaging modalities enabling synergistic assessment of the presence, the extent, and the severity of coronary atherosclerotic disease along with the hemodynamic significance of lesions and/or with evaluation of the myocardial function. A combination of coronary computed tomography angiography with myocardial perfusion imaging, such as single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography, has been adopted in several centers and implemented in international coronary artery disease management guidelines. Interest has increased in novel hybrid methods including coronary computed tomography angiography-derived fractional flow reserve and computed tomography perfusion and these techniques hold promise for the imminent diagnostic and management approaches of patients with coronary artery disease. In this review, we discuss the currently available hybrid noninvasive imaging modalities used in clinical practice, research approaches, and exciting potential future technological developments.     

Effects of Androgen Disruption by DDE on the Development and Functioning of the Immune System in Japanese Quail

We hypothesized that immunosuppression in birds that is caused by exposure to antiandrogenic chemicals occurs mainly through disruption of the development of the androgen-sensitive avian lymphoid organ, the bursa of Fabricius. Injections of 20.0 or 40.0 μg of p,p′-DDE [ethylene, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)], an antiandrogen, were administered at embryonic day 1. Bursas from only chicks treated with DDE were larger than, had fewer follicles, and exhibited vacuolization within follicles compared with controls; spleens were unaffected. No differences in either immune response test were observed. This study demonstrates that the bursa may play a role in androgen-active endocrine disrupting chemical-induced immunosuppression.     

消疣颗粒对U_（14）宫颈癌小鼠免疫功能影响的实验研究

目的观察消疣颗粒对U14荷瘤小鼠外周血IL-2、TNF-α含量及对外周血T细胞亚群的影响。方法将模型小鼠随机分为消疣颗粒高、中、低剂量组,模型对照组,阳性对照组,连续给药11 d。用夹心ELISA法检测U14荷瘤小鼠外周血IL-2含量,双抗夹心ELISA法检测U14荷瘤小鼠外周血TNF-α含量,流式细胞仪检测U14荷瘤小鼠外周血CD4＋、CD8＋计数及CD4＋/CD8＋比值。结果消疣颗粒各处理组血清中TNF-α与IL-2的含量显著增高,消疣颗粒中、低剂量组CD4＋数量显著增加,CD8＋数量明显减少,CD4＋/CD8＋比值显著增加,对T淋巴细胞具有增殖的作用。结论消疣颗粒能调节荷瘤小鼠的免疫功能,达到治疗肿瘤的目的。