Caffeic acid phenethyl ester,a propolis polyphenolic,attenuates potentially cadmium-induced testicular dysfunction in mice

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) as environmental pollutant can induce severe damage, particularly to the testis. This study investigated the effects of Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on testicular dysfunction induced by Cd. Adult mice were intraperitoneally injected with cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) with different doses of CAPE pretreatment. After CdCl₂ injection, body/testis weight ratio decreased, Cd levels accumulated and zinc levels decreased in testis. Furthermore, Cd intoxication caused a significant increase of oxidative stress levels, antioxidant enzymes activities, and glutathione levels. Interestingly, significant improvements were observed after the administration of CAPE. Our results demonstrated the protective effect of CAPE, linking Cd testicular dysfunction to oxidative stress.     

Oral Everolimus for Treatment of a Giant Left Ventricular Rhabdomyoma in a Neonate—Rapid Tumor Regression Documented by Real Time 3D Echocardiography

The presented case reports on successful treatment with everolimus in a neonate with left ventricular giant rhabdomyoma. The authors used a different dosage regime compared to literature and documented rapid tumor regression by 3D echocardiography.     

Transient left bundle branch block after posture change to the prone position during general anesthesia: A case report

Rationale:The prone position is commonly used in spinal surgery. There have been many studies on hemodynamic changes in the prone position during general anesthesia. We report a rare case of transient left bundle branch block (LBBB) in a prone position.Patient concern:Electrocardiogram (ECG) of a 64-year-old man scheduled for spinal surgery showed normal sinus rhythm change to LBBB after posture change to the prone position.Diagnosis:Twelve lead ECG revealed LBBB. His coronary angio-computed tomography results showed right coronary artery with 30% to 40% stenosis and left circumflex artery with 40% to 50% stenosis. The patient was diagnosed with stable angina and second-degree atrioventricular block of Mobitz type II.Intervention:Nitroglycerin was administered intravenously during surgery. Adequate oxygen was supplied to the patient. After surgery, the patient was prescribed clopidogrel, statins, angiotensin II receptor blocker, and a permanent pacemaker was inserted.Outcome:Surgery was completed without complications. After surgery, the transient LBBB changed to a normal sinus rhythm. The patient did not complain of chest pain or dyspnea.Lesson:The prone position causes significant hemodynamic changes. A high risk of cardiovascular disease may cause ischemic heart disease and ECG changes. Therefore, careful management is necessary.     

组织多普勒成像评价左房收缩功能的临床研究

目的应用多普勒组织成像技术测定61名健康成人二尖瓣环运动峰值速率(Am),以评价Am在左房收缩功能中的价值。方法观察61名无心脏疾患者的Am,Am值为二尖瓣前、后、左、右侧心房收缩期二尖瓣环运动峰值速率的平均值;并与左房收缩时左房面积改变分数(FAC)和容积改变分数(FVC)作相关性研究。结果61例研究对象平均FAC和FVC分别为(31±10)%和(42±11)%;Am为(13.4±3.2)cm/s;直线回归分析显示,Am与FAC和FVC均呈正相关(r=0.78和0.82;P均<0.001)。结论Am与FAC、FVC具有良好相关性,从而为临床评价左房收缩功能提供了一种简便而快速的方法。     

The need for a revival of psychoanalytic investigations into premature ejaculation

Although psychoanalysis was the first-choice treatment for premature ejaculation (PE) between 1920 and 1960, hardly any reports on its efficacy have been published. Moreover, a scientific debate about its findings has never been fully developed. The recent progress that has been made in the classification of three different PE syndromes creates a new opportunity for psychoanalytic investigations of men with complaints of PE, distinguished by the actual duration of their intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT). The term premature-like ejaculatory dysfunction has been introduced to distinguish men with self-perceived PE at normal and long IELT durations from those men with lifelong, acquired and normal variable PE. Psychoanalytic research may contribute to a better understanding of the consequences of objective early ejaculations on the unconscious mental life of men with the four forms of PE. By integrating neurobiological, clinical and epidemiological data of ejaculatory performance, a revival of psychoanalytic research of PE in the four distinct, classified PE groups, will probably contribute to a deeper insight in to the unconscious mental life of men affected by PE.     

血清S100ββ变化与老年患者腹部手术后认知功能障碍的关系

目的观察老年患者腹部手术后S100ββ蛋白的变化以及术后认知功能障碍(POCD)的发生情况,并探讨二者的关系。方法26例65岁以上的老年患者ASAⅡ~Ⅲ级,行腹部手术。监测术前、术毕、术后6、24、48、72h血清S100ββ的变化,并评定术前及术后1周内的认知功能。结果老年患者血清S100ββ蛋白在术毕最高(P<0·01),术后6h和24h逐渐下降,但术后48h再次上升(P<0·01),术后72h回复至术前水平。26例老年患者腹部手术后1周内有7例发生POCD。POCD组与非POCD组相比,术毕及术后6h血清S100ββ蛋白水平明显增高(P<0·05)。结论老年患者腹部手术后POCD的发生与血清S100ββ蛋白的变化有密切关系。血清S100ββ蛋白可作为评估老年患者术后发生POCD的重要指标。     

PDE5基因siRNA对人阴茎海绵体平滑肌细胞cGMP的影响

目的:观察PDE5基因小干扰RNA(siRNA)对人阴茎海绵体平滑肌细胞环磷酸鸟苷(cGMP)的影响,为阴茎勃起功能障碍(ED)的基因治疗提供实验依据。方法:使用美国Amb ion公司提供的设计软件设计并合成人PDE5基因的siRNA序列,合成3对PDE5 siRNA和1对阴性对照siRNA,转染人阴茎海绵体平滑肌细胞,同时设定空白转染组为对照组。以酶联免疫法分别检测转染后不同时间(24、48、72、96 h)点海绵体平滑肌细胞内cGMP浓度变化,观察PDE5 siRNA对海绵体平滑肌细胞内cGMP的影响。结果:siRNA1、siRNA2和siRNA3转染后人阴茎海绵体平滑肌细胞cGMP水平显著高于阴性对照siRNA组和空白对照组(P<0.05),在转染后72 h最为显著,siRNA1、siRNA2、siRNA3、阴性对照siRNA和空白对照组cGMP测定值分别为:5.89±0.19、3.52±0.16、2.88±0.08、0.72±0.12、0.60±0.16 pmol/m l,siRNA1组明显高于siRNA2、siRNA3组(P<0.05)。结论:体外化学合成的PDE5 siRNA能有效地增加海绵体平滑肌细胞内cGMP的水平,不同序列siRNA增加cGMP水平的能力不同,为ED的基因治疗提供了新思路。     

Peyronie's disease:a silent consequence of diabetes mellitus

Aim:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with Peyronie's disease(PD)and diabetes mellitus(DM).Methods:During an 8-year period,a total of 307 men seen at our outpatient clinic were diagnosed with PD.Clinicalcharacteristics,penile deformities and the erectile status of patients with PD and DM together(n=102)were retro-spectively analyzed and compared to patients with PD alone with no risk factors for systemic vascular diseases(n=97).Results:The prevalence of PD among men with DM and sexual dysfunction was 10.7%.The mean ageof diabetic patients with PD was(55.9±8.9)years;in the no risk factor group it was(48.5±9.0)years(P<0.05).The median duration of DM was 5 years.The majority of diabetic patients with PD(56.0%)presented in the chronicphase(P<0.05),and they were more likely to have a severe penile deformity(>60°)than the no risk factor group(P<0.05).In the diabetic group,the most common presenting symptom was penile curvature(81.4 %),followedby a palpable nodule on the shaft of the penis(22.5%)and penile pain with erection(14.7 %).A total of 19.6 % ofpatients were not aware of their penile deformities in the diabetic group.Erectile function,provided by history and inresponse to intracavernosal injection and a stimulation test,was significantly diminished in patients with PD and DM(P<0.05).Conclusion:DM probably exaggerates the fibrotic process in PD.Diabetic patients with PD have ahigher risk of severe deformity and erectile dysfunction(ED).PD seems to be a silent consequence of DM andshould be actively sought in diabetic men.(Asian J Androl 2006 Jan;8:75-79)