A diagnostic algorithm for male genital oedema

Male genital oedema can be defined as swelling or the appearance of swelling of the scrotum and/or the penile shaft and prepuce. Despite the various causes of genital oedema reported in the published work, a concise approach to the evaluation and management has not been sufficiently addressed.     

The "second disease" and "second nature"

An idea about the second disease as a metamorphosis when the phenomenon of one nature is transformed into phenomenon of the second nature is proposed. There are three stages in the development of the second disease: origin, when clinical and morphological features of initial and new nosologic forms coexist; formation-distinct groups of features of a new nosologic form which preserved a link to the first disease; separation of this new nosologic form with its typical clinical and morphological features. The second disease is metamorphosis of the first disease which develops into a new nosologic entity under the influence of exogenous or endogenous factors.     

Reusable heterogeneous catalysts of α-amino acid racemization, 2. Factors affecting the activity of heterogeneous catalysts based on strongly basic anion exchangers in OH− form and 4-hydroxy-3-formylbenzenesulfonic acid (5-sulfosalicylaldehyde)

The kinetics of (S)-Ala racemization on heterogeneous catalysts based on eight strongly basic anion exchangers modified with 4-hydroxy-3-formylbenzenesulfonic acid (5-sulfosalicylaldehyde) (SSA) in the presence of Cu(II) ions at 25 °C was studied. The “internal capacity” value f = m_p/(V₀ — V_p) was introduced to characterize the polymers, (m_p : number of quaternary ammonium groups of the polymer sample, V₀ : total volume of the swollen polymer, V_p : volume of the inert polymeric matrix). The correlation of the observed first-order rate constants of (S)-Ala racemization with the f values of the anion exchangers was established. According to this correlation the selected anion exchangers could be divided into two types with respect to the chemical nature of the groups attached to the quaternary nitrogen atom. The chemical nature, physical structure and the degree of cross-linking of the polymeric matrix do not affect the correlation. Anion exchangers of the first type have at least one ß-hydroxyalkyl substituent at the Anion exchangers of the second type have (CH₃)₃ cationic groups. Catalysts prepared with the first type anion exchangers have greater activity as compared with catalysts based on the second type anion exchangers with the same f values. The increase in activity of heterogeneous catalysts can be partially attributed to the 10 to 68 fold increase in OH^? concentration in the internal phase of the catalysts as compared to the model homogeneous system, which contains the same amounts of the components as the heterogeneous one. Moreover, an additional acceleration is observed in the heterogeneous racemization as compared to the homogeneous one, ca. 5 fold for the second type anion exchangers and ca. 14 fold for the first type anion exchangers.     

Reduction of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits and decrease of expressions of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in foam cells by a water-soluble fraction of Polygonum multiflorum

Polygonum multiflorum stilbeneglycoside （PMS） is a water-soluble fraction of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. , one of the most famous tonic traditional Chinese medicines, that has protective effects on the cardiovascular system. The purpose of the present study is to elucidate the effects of PMS on macrophage-derived foam cell functions and the reduction of severity of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic New Zealand White （NZW） rabbits. NZW rabbits were fed for 12 weeks with a normal diet, a high cholesterol diet, or a high cholesterol diet associated with irrigation with different doses of PMS （25, 50, or 100 mg/kg）. Treatment of NZW rabbits fed with high cholesterol diet with 100 mg/kg PMS attenuated the increase in plasma cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and plasma triglyceride. Treatment with 50 and 100 mg/kg PMS caused 43% and 60% decrease in atherosclerotic lesioned area ratio to total surface area, respectively. In U937 foam cells, PMS could decrease the high expression of intercellular adhesion molecule （ICAM）-1 protein and the vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） protein levels in the medium induced by oxidized lipoprotein when analyzed by flow cytometry. The results proved that PMS is a powerful agent against atherosclerosis and that PMS action could possibly be through the inhibition of the expression of ICAM-1 and VEGF in foam cells.     

β-catenin，c-myc和Cyclin D1在胰腺癌组织中的表达及意义

目的研究β-catenin异常表达、c-myc和Cyclin D1的高表达与胰腺癌发生、浸润、转移的关系。方法应用免疫组织化学方法检测5例正常胰腺组织和40例胰腺癌及13例相应癌旁组织中β-catenm、c-myc和Cyclin D1的表达。结果 5例正常胰腺组织及13例胰腺癌旁组织中β-catenin为正常表达,c-myc和Cyclin D1阴性表达,40例胰腺癌组织中25例有β-catenin的异常表达(25／40,62．5％),20例(20／40,50％)有c-myc的高表达,23例(23／40,57．5％)有Cyclin D1的高表达。β-catenin的异常表达率与淋巴结转移、浸润及病理分级相关(P<0.05),c-myc和Cyclin D1的高表达与分化程度,浸润,转移及病理分级无关,β-catenin的异常表达与c-myc的阳性表达不相关,而与Cyclin D1的阳性表达相关。结论β-catenin的异常表达可能主要是通过激活Cyclin D1引起细胞增殖,导致肿瘤的发生。     

Identification of Candida species in the clinical laboratory: a review of conventional,commercial, and molecular techniques

In healthy individuals, Candida species are considered commensal yeasts of the oral cavity. However, these microorganisms can also act as opportunist pathogens, particularly the so‐called non‐albicans Candida species that are increasingly recognized as important agents of human infection. Several surveys have documented increased rates of C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, C. dubliniensis, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei in local and systemic fungal infections. Some of these species are resistant to antifungal agents. Consequently, rapid and correct identification of species can play an important role in the management of candidiasis. Conventional methods for identification of Candida species are based on morphological and physiological attributes. However, accurate identification of all isolates from clinical samples is often complex and time‐consuming. Hence, several manual and automated rapid commercial systems for identifying these organisms have been developed, some of which may have significant sensitivity issues. To overcome these limitations, newer molecular typing techniques have been developed that allow accurate and rapid identification of Candida species. This study reviewed the current state of identification methods for yeasts, particularly Candida species.