[Progress and prospect in research on laboratory tree shrew in China].

We outline the historical research on the laboratory tree shrew in China and discuss its current research trends. Five key aspects of applied research are emphasized in this review, including quality control standards for laboratory tree shrews, the establishment of an inbred colony, commercial preparation of major molecular and cellular research tools, further research on tree shrew models for human diseases, and the establishment of the tree shrew seed institution at state level.

[Updated treatments for neonatal phimosis and redundant prepuce].

Phimosis and redundant prepuce, as common problems in andrology, are found in the majority of male neonates. Early treatment of neonatal phimosis and redundant prepuce has the advantages of better cost--effectiveness and higher safety, and contributes much to the prevention of childhood urinary tract infection and adult sexually transmitted diseases, as well as to the improvement of genital hygiene. Neonatal circumcision is commonly performed in some countries, but remains at a low rate in China.

[Male circumcision is an effective "surgical vaccine" for HIV prevention and reproductive health].

Recent randomized controlled clinical trials in Africa have demonstrated that adult male circumcision (MC) efficiently decreases the rate of HIV, HPV and HSV-2 infections. Many studies have clearly shown that MC is a simple, safe, and cost-effective method for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infection, and for improving genital hygiene. While a 30% MC prevalence exists worldwide, only 5% or less of the Chinese males have undergone circumcision.

[The need for high-quality training and surgical standards for adult male circumcision in China].

Although HIV is a significant problem in Africa, HIV infection rates are rising rapidly in other regions such as Asia and South America. International health organizations have recognized the need to develop effective strategies to check the worldwide transmission of HIV. Studies have demonstrated the significant reduction of HIV, HPV, HSV-2 and other STD infection rates with male circumcision (MC).

[Promoting male circumcision in China for preventing HIV infection and improving reproductive health].

The incidence of heterosexually transmitted HIV infection is rapidly increasing in China, which reached 44.7% among the HIV-positive patients in 2007. With a view to the reduction of HIV transmission and improvement of reproductive health in the Chinese population, this paper introduces the latest evidence obtained from the international epidemiological studies and randomized controlled clinical trials on the preventive effect of male circumcision (MC) on HIV transmission, and elucidates the cellular and molecular mechanisms of HIV transmission through the foreskin.