Observation on the changes of clinical symptoms, blood and brain copper deposition in Wilson disease patients treated with dimercaptosuccinic acid for 2 years.

Objective: To compare the clinical symptoms, brain copper deposition changes of Meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and penicillamine therapy in patients with Wilson disease (WD) within 2 years.

Methods: 68 drug-naive patients with WD were enrolled. 10 WD patients treated with zinc gluconate alone were used as the control group.

A study of susceptibility-weighted imaging in patients with Wilson disease during the treatment of metal chelator.

Objective: A randomized-controlled trial comparing study of the changes in brain sensitive-weighted imaging (SWI) of Wilson disease (WD) patients during the treatment with metal chelator was done.

Methods: 100 untreated WD patients (80 cases of cerebral type, 20 cases of hepatic type, age 20.13 ± 9.

Injury factors and pathological features of toxic milk mice during different disease stages.

Objective: To evaluate different injury factors and pathological characteristics of the brain at different disease stages in toxic milk (TX) mice, an animal model of Wilson's disease (WD).

Methods: Thirty TX mice (10 each at 3, 6 and 12 months old) and 30 age-matched C57 mice were used in this study. Corrected phase (CP) values were determined from susceptibility-weighted images.

[Comparison of laparoscopic pyelolithotomy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy for renal pelvic stones larger than 2.5 cm].

Objective: To compare the safety, efficacy and complications of laparoscopic pyelolithotomy (LPL) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for treatment of renal pelvic stones larger than 2.5 cm.

Methods: From 2011 to 2016, 32 patients underwent LPL and another 32 patients received PCNL for renal pelvic stones larger than 2.

[Logistic regression analysis of risk factors of serious complications related with double-J ureteral stenting following percutaneous nephrolithotomy].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of the serious complications related with double-J ureteral stent placement following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Methods: Clinical data were reviewed for 272 patients treated with PCNL and indwelling double-J stents between January, 2014 and April, 2016. The risk factors of serious complications were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Diffusion tensor imaging of the extracorticospinal network in the brains of patients with Wilson disease.

Objective: To evaluate damage to the extracorticospinal tract in Wilson disease (WD) patients using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Methods: 70 patients with WD, including 50 with cerebral type and 20 with hepatic type, and 20 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Neurological symptoms were scored using the modified Young Scale.

Effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 on the relaxation responses of the cavernous smooth muscle from aged rats.

Objective: The aim of this study was determine whether intracavernosal injection (ICI) of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) protein can improve corpus cavernosal smooth muscle relaxation in aging rats.

Materials And Methods: Ten young (4-month-old) and 30 old (24-month-old) Sprague-Dawley male rats were enrolled in the study. The old rats were divided into three groups: vehicle-only (n = 10), IGF-1 1 µg/kg (n = 10) and IGF-1 10 µg/kg treatment groups (n = 10).

[Yimusake Tablet: safe and efficacious for premature ejaculation].

Objective: To objectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of Yimusake Tablet in the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE) through a multi-centered large-sample trial.

Methods: We conducted a multi-centered, open, fixed-dose, and self-compared clinical trial among 300 patients with diagnosed PE. The trial lasted 12 weeks, including 4 weeks without any medication and 8 weeks of treatment with Yimusake Tablet, 2 pills (1 g) per night.

Characterizing brain mineral deposition in patients with Wilson disease using susceptibility-weighted imaging.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of characterizing the brain-mineral deposition in patients with Wilson disease (WD) using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI).

Materials And Methods: The study enrolled 30 WD patients and 20 age-matched healthy controls. Neurological symptoms were scored using the modified Young Scale.

[Influences of three surgical approaches to urethral stricture on the erectile function of the patients].

Objective: To evaluate the impacts of three different surgical approaches to urethral stricture on the erectile function of the patients.

Methods: 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.

shRNA constructs targeting IGFBP-3 alleviate age related erectile dysfunction in the rat.

Purpose: We investigated whether injecting shRNA constructs targeting IGFBP-3 in the penis of old rats would improve erectile function.

Materials And Methods: The most validated IGFBP-3 shRNA plasmid vector (pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shIGFBP-3) was prepared and injected in penile corpus cavernosum tissue. A total of 30 old (age 24 months) male Sprague Dawley® rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, including 10 each that received phosphate buffered saline only (100 μl), pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shNC (100 μg) and the most validated plasmid constructs pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shIGFBP-3 (100 μg).

[Impact of aging on the secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of rats in vitro].

Objective: To observe the secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) in rats of different ages and explore the possible relationship of IGF-1 with aging-related erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods: We primarily cultured CCSMCs of rats aged 4, 12 and 24 months, and identified them by immunohistochemistry. We quantitatively cultured the CCSMCs in 6-well culture plates, determined the levels of IGF-1 secreted from the CCSMCs by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and analyzed the effect of age on the IGF-1 level.

A randomized controlled trial of postoperative tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cells and cytokine-induced killer cells immunotherapy in patients with localized and locally advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Background: It remains a challenge to inhibit the local recurrence or distant metastasis of localized or locally advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after surgical resection. We investigated the feasibility, safety and efficacy of immunotherapy using autologous tumor lysate (TL)-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells in patients with localized or locally advanced RCC.

Methods: From January 2001 to July 2009, we collected 137 patients that met the selection criteria and randomly divided them into three groups.

Presence of tumour-infiltrating FOXP3+ lymphocytes correlates with immature tumour angiogenesis in renal cell carcinomas.

Background: FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) inhibit effector T cell functions and are implicated in tumour progression. However, together with microvessel density (MVD) they remain controversial prognostic predictors for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and potential associations have yet to be determined. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of Tregs and MVD and their potential relationship in RCCs.

[Insulin-like growth factor-1 gene therapy improves the levels of mRNA and protein of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in aging related erectile dysfunction in rats].

Objective: To explore the effects of gene transfer of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on the penis of senile rats and the altered levels of mRNA and protein of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).

Methods: Ten young (4 months) and 20 senile (24 months) Sprague-Dawley male rats were selected. The senile rats were divided into 2 groups: phosphate buffer solution (PBS)-only (n = 10) and 100 µg IGF-1 plasmid treatment group (n = 10).

[Growth factors and gene therapy for erectile dysfunction].

Growth factors have a universal bioactivity. Gene therapy is a new strategy in dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED). This paper presents an overview on the value of growth factors, particularly the vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), in the treatment of ED.

Higher expression of mRNA and protein of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in old rat penile tissues: implications for erectile dysfunction.

Introduction: Previous studies have confirmed the gene transfer of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and the IGF-1 protein can improve the erectile function in aging rats. IGF binding protein (BP)-3 can regulates the availability of IGF-I. The higher expression of IGFBP-3 may play an important role in erectile dysfunction (ED).

Single-centre study comparing standard apical dissection with a modified technique to facilitate vesico-urethral anastomosis during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

A modified apical dissection of the prostate to improve the efficiency of vesico-urethral anastomosis (VUA) in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) was reported. A total of 42 patients were randomly selected and enrolled in this study. A standard LRP was performed in 21 patients (group 1), whereas a novel, modified apical dissection of the prostate in LRP was performed in another 21 patients (group 2).

A comparative study of clinical value of single B-mode ultrasound guidance and B-mode combined with color doppler ultrasound guidance in mini-invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy to decrease hemorrhagic complications.

Objectives: To compare the clinical value of single B-mode ultrasonography and B-mode combined with color Doppler ultrasonography in the guidance of mini-invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (m-PCNL) to decrease the incidence of hemorrhagic complications.

Methods: A total of 297 patients with renal stones who had undergone m-PCNL were retrospectively categorized into 2 groups. Group 1 (187 patients) underwent m-PCNL with single B-mode ultrasound guidance and group 2 (110 patients) underwent m-PCNL with combined B-mode and color Doppler ultrasound guidance.

Modified apical dissection of the prostate improves early continence in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: technique and initial results.

Objectives: Incontinence after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) is one of the greatest worries for all patients. One of the possible reasons for this urinary incontinence is a postoperative deficiency of the external striated urethral sphincter (EUS) complex and continence nerves. This study evaluated the application of a modified simple technique to dissection of the apical prostate in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and assessed the rate of urinary continence.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: oncological and functional results of 126 patients with a minimum 3-year follow-up at a single Chinese institute.

In this study we evaluate the oncological and functional results of the largest cohort of patients in China treated by laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and with at least 3 years of follow-up. 126 inconsecutive patients (range 56-78 years, median 62.5) who had an LRP were retrospectively analyzed.

Toll-like receptor 9 agonists promote IL-8 and TGF-beta1 production via activation of nuclear factor kappaB in PC-3 cells.

Chronic infection and resulting inflammation promote tumor development and progression, and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) may play an important role in this process. The aim of this study was to determine whether CpG oligonucleotides (CpG-ODN), which are Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonists, can promote inflammatory cytokines release from the prostate cancer PC-3 cells through activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Flow cytometry, semiquantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunofluorescence analysis were used to detect the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) release and NF-kappaB activation in PC-3 cells after CpG-ODN stimulation.

[Update of gene therapy for aging-related erectile dysfunction].

The incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) rises with the increase of age, for which gene therapy is a new option in the recent years. Different target genes, vehicles and therapeutic strategies have been tried and yielded good results. This paper offers an overview of the current advances in gene therapy for aging-related ED.

[Expression of TRPM and TRPV channel family mRNA in rat spermatogenic cells].

Objective: To investigate the expression of transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) and transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channel family genes in rat spermatogenic cells.

Methods: Rat spermatogenic cells were isolated by a mechanical procedure and the total RNA was extracted using TRIzol reagent. TRPM and TRPV channel family genes were amplified by RT-PCR and the presence of the target genes was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis.

[Dose and long-term effect of hIGF-1 injection for erectile dysfunction in aged rats].

Objective: 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.

Methods: 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).