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Objective:To investigate the application value of auditory steady-state response (ASSR) combined with short sound auditory brainstem response (ABR) for hearing assessment in children with sensorineural hearing impairment, providing evidence for clinical diagnosis of the disorder.Methods:A total of 90 children with sensorineural hearing impairment who received treatment at Jiaxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2020 to June 2021 were included in this prospective study. These children were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group ( n = 45 per group). The children in the control group underwent ABR testing, while those in the observation group underwent ASSR testing in addition to ABR thresholds testing. The hearing impairment was compared between the two groups. The ABR and ASSR thresholds were compared among children with different degrees of hearing impairment. The correlation between ABR and ASSR at 2 and 4 kHz carrier frequencies was analyzed in the observation group. Results:The abnormal rate of hearing in the observation group was 68.89% (31/45), which was significantly higher than 44.44% (20/45) in the control group ( χ2 = 5.48, P = 0.019). At a carrier frequency of 0.5 kHz, the ASSR thresholds of children with moderate and severe hearing impairment in the observation group were (63.11 ± 6.82) dB nHL and (84.65 ± 5.31) dB nHL, respectively, which were significantly higher than the ABS thresholds (56.12 ± 4.63) dB nHL and (76.87 ± 5.15) dB nHL ( t = 2.94, 2.78, both P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between ABR and ASSR thresholds at 2 and 4 kHz carrier frequencies in children with different degrees of hearing impairment in the observation group ( r = 0.896, 0.901, both P < 0.05). Conclusion:The combination of ABR and ASSR testings is more accurate in judging the degree of hearing impairment in children with sensorineural hearing impairment than the ABR testing, and can provide a reliable basis for later clinical treatment.
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Objective:To investigate the effects of miR-363-5p on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and the possible mechanism.Methods:miR-363-5p expression in human normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells NP-69 and nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells 5-8F was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Proliferation and apoptosis of 5-8F cells overexpresing miR-365-5p were determined. At the same time, Caspase3 and BRD4 protein expression in 5-8F cells were also detected.Results:miR-365-5p expression in 5-8F cells (0.71 ± 0.45) was significantly lower than that in NP-69 cells ( t = 2.68, P < 0.05). After overexpressing miR-363-5p, the proliferation of 5-8F cells was significantly decreased ( F = 22.68, P < 0.05). The apoptotic rate in the 5-8F cells was significantly higher than that in the control group [(24.45 ± 5.38)% vs. (18.23 ± 2.41)%, t = 4.13, P < 0.05]. Bax and Caspase3 protein levels in the 5-8F cells were (1.35 ± 0.24) and (1.44 ± 0.34) respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the NP-69 cells [(1.00 ± 0.08), (1.00 ± 0.23), t = 3.12, 5.12, P < 0.05]. BRD4 protein level in the 5-8F cells was significantly lower than that in the control group [(0.42 ± 0.24) vs. (1.00 ± 0.37), t = 2.98, P <0.05]. Conclusion:miR-365-5p can inhibit proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and promote their apoptosis. The negative regulatory effects of miR-363-5p on tumor cells are achieved possibly through inhibiting BRD4 protein expression.
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Multiple measurements of nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) are widely accepted as a method to differentiate psychogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) from organic ED. However, direct evidence remains limited regarding the first-night effect on NPTR measurement using the RigiScan. Here, we evaluated the first-night effect on the results of NPTR measurement to validate the necessity of NPTR measurement for two consecutive nights, particularly when abnormal first-night measurements are recorded in a laboratory setting. We retrospectively reviewed 105 patients with a complaint of ED, who underwent NPTR measurement using the RigiScan in the Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China), for two consecutive nights, during the period from November 2015 to May 2016. NPTR parameters were collected and analyzed. We found that more effective nocturnal erections were detected during the second night than during the first night (P <0.001). Twenty percent of all patients had no effective erection during the first night, but exhibited at least one effective erection during the second night. The negative predictive value of NPTR measurement during the first night was 43.2%; this was significantly lower than that on the second night (84.2%; P = 0.003). Most NPTR parameters were better on the second night than on the first night. The first-night effect might be greater among patients younger than 40 years of age. In conclusion, two consecutive nightly measurements of NPTR can avoid a false-abnormal result caused by the first-night effect; moreover, these measurements more accurately reflect erectile capacity, especially when the first-night record is abnormal in a laboratory setting.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Young Adult , Diagnosis, Differential , Diagnostic Techniques, Urological , Erectile Dysfunction/etiology , Penile Erection , Predictive Value of Tests , Reproducibility of Results , Retrospective Studies , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/diagnosis , Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological/diagnosis , SleepABSTRACT
<p><b>Background</b>Treatment of myoclonic seizures in myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRFs) has been empirical and ineffective. Guideline on this disease is not available. Additional trials must be conducted to find more suitable treatments for it. In this study, the antimyoclonic effects of monotherapies, including levetiracetam (LEV), clonazepam (CZP), valproic acid (VPA), and topiramate (TPM) compared to combination therapy group with LEV and CZP on MERRF, were evaluated to find a more advantageous approach on the treatment of myoclonic seizures.</p><p><b>Methods</b>Treatments of myoclonic seizures with VPA, LEV, CZP, and TPM were reported as monotherapies in 17 MERRF patients from Qilu Hospital between 2003 and 2016, who were diagnosed through clinical data and genetic testing. After 1-4 months of follow-up (mean: 82.9 ± 28.1 days), 12 patients that exhibited poor responses to monotherapy were given a combined treatment consisting of LEV and CZP subsequently. The follow-up period was 4-144 months (mean: 66.3 ± 45.3 months), the effective rates of monotherapy group (17 patients) and combination therapy group (12 patients) were analyzed by Chi-square test.</p><p><b>Results</b>The m.8344 A>G mutation was detected in all patients. There were four patients with partial response (4/17, two in the CZP group and two in the LEV group), ten patients with stable disease (10/17, six in the CZP group, three in the LEV group, and one in the TPM group), and three patients with progressive disease (3/18, two in the VPA group and one in the TPM group). Twelve of the patients with LEV combined with CZP showed a positive effect and good tolerance (12/12), eight of them demonstrated improved cognition and coordination. There was a significant difference between the monotherapy group and combination therapy group in the efficacy of antimyoclonic seizures (χ = 13.7, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>LEV in combination with CZP is an efficient and safe treatment for myoclonic seizures in patients with this disease exhibiting the m.8344A>G mutation.</p>
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Twenty-four-month-old male C57BL/6 mice with low serum testosterone levels were used as a late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) animal model for examining the effects of velvet antler polypeptide (VAP) on sexual function and testosterone synthesis. These mice received VAP for 5 consecutive weeks by daily gavage at doses of 100, 200, or 300 mg kg-1 body weight per day (n = 10 mice per dose). Control animals (n = 10) received the same weight-based volume of vehicle. Sexual behavior and testosterone levels in serum and interstitial tissue of testis were measured after the last administration of VAP. Furthermore, to investigate the mechanisms of how VAP affects sexual behavior and testosterone synthesis in vivo, the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) in Leydig cells was also measured by immunofluorescence staining and quantitative real-time PCR. As a result, VAP produced a significant improvement in the sexual function of these aging male mice. Serum testosterone level and intratesticular testosterone (ITT) concentration also increased in the VAP-treated groups. The expression of StAR, P450scc, and 3β-HSD was also found to be enhanced in the VAP-treated groups compared with the control group. Our results suggested that VAP was effective in improving sexual function in aging male mice. The effect of velvet antler on sexual function was due to the increased expression of several rate-limiting enzymes of testosterone synthesis (StAR, P450scc, and 3β-HSD) and the following promotion of testosterone synthesis in vivo.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Aspermia caused by exogenous testosterone limit its usage in late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) patients desiring fertility. Saikokaryukotsuboreito (SKRBT) is reported to improve serum testosterone and relieve LOH-related symptoms. However, it is unclear whether SKRBT affects fertility. We aimed to examine the effects of SKRBT on spermatogenesis and fertility in aging male mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty aging male mice were randomly assigned to three groups. Mice were orally administered with phosphate-buffer solution or SKRBT (300 mg/kg, daily) or received testosterone by subcutaneous injections (10 mg/kg, every 3 days). Thirty days later, each male mouse was mated with two female mice. All animals were sacrificed at the end of 90 days. Intratesticular testosterone (ITT) levels, quality of sperm, expression of synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SYCP3), and fertility were assayed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the SKRBT-treated group, ITT, quality of sperm, and expression of SYCP3 were all improved compared with the control group (ITT: 85.50 ± 12.31 ng/g vs. 74.10 ± 11.45 ng/g, P = 0.027; sperm number: [14.94 ± 4.63] × 106 cells/ml vs. [8.79 ± 4.38] × 106 cells/ml, P = 0.002; sperm motility: 43.16 ± 9.93% vs. 33.51 ± 6.98%, P = 0.015; the number of SYCP3-positive cells/tubule: 77.50 ± 11.01 ng/ml vs. 49.30 ± 8.73 ng/ml, P < 0.001; the expression of SYCP3 protein: 1.23 ± 0.09 vs. 0.84 ± 0.10, P < 0.001), but fertility was not significantly changed (P > 0.05, respectively). In the testosterone-treated group, ITT, quality of sperm, and expression of SYCP3 were markedly lower than the control group (ITT: 59.00 ± 8.67, P = 0.005; sperm number: [4.34 ± 2.45] × 106 cells/ml, P = 0.018; sperm motility: 19.53 ± 7.69%, P = 0.001; the number of SYCP3-positive cells/tubule: 30.00 ± 11.28, P < 0.001; the percentage of SYCP3-positive tubules/section 71.98 ± 8.88%, P = 0.001; the expression of SYCP3 protein: 0.71 ± 0.09, P < 0.001), and fertility was also suppressed (P < 0.05, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SKRBT had no adverse effect on fertility potential in aging male mice.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Mice , Aging , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Fertility , Hypogonadism , Drug Therapy , Nuclear Proteins , Sperm Count , Sperm Motility , Spermatogenesis , Testis , Pathology , Testosterone , BloodABSTRACT
A series of isoindoline derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their double inhibitory activities. All of them were new compounds, and their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR and HR-MS. Preliminary in vitro pharmacological tests showed that all compounds exhibited 5-HT or NE reuptake inhibition activity. Among the tested compounds, compound I-3 exhibited potent inhibitory activity against 5-HT and NE reuptake in vitro, and exhibited potent antidepressant activity in vivo. These compounds designed can be further optimized for finding more potent 5-HT/NE dual reuptake inhibitors and antidepressant candidates as well.
Subject(s)
Antidepressive Agents , Chemistry , Biological Transport , Drug Design , Isoindoles , Chemistry , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors , Chemistry , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the etiology and individualized treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in young adult men.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Included in the investigation were 110 young adult men with ED, at the mean age of 28 (ranging from 22 to 39) and with the average disease course of 24 months (ranging from 6 to 48). The etiology of ED was determined for each patient by history inquiry, medical examination, laboratory investigation and erectile function test, and then individualized therapies were administered accordingly.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of all the diagnosed cases of ED, 42 (38.2%) were psychogenic, 36 (32.7%) organic and 32 (29.1%) of the mixed type. Four cases of schizophrenia were transferred elsewhere, 4 pelvic fracture induced cases gave up treatment, and the other 102 received individualized therapies, with the average effectiveness rate of 88.2%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Determination of the etiology of ED and the corresponding individualized treatment is the linchpin for improving the therapeutic effect of ED in young adult men.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Clinical Laboratory Techniques , Erectile Dysfunction , Diagnosis , Therapeutics , Physical Examination , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the causes and outcome of conversion from tacrolimus (FK506) to cyclosporine-A (CsA) in recipients after liver transplantation.Methods 317 consecutive liver transplantation recipients in our department received anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody,FK506, mycophenolate mofetil and corticoid for prophylaxis of cellular rejection.The blood FK506 trough level was (10-15)?g/L within the first 30 days,(8-12)?g/L within next 60 days,and (5-8)?g/L was kept during 90 to 180 days after transplantation.All recipients reveived a follow-up of 6 months. Remits Sixteen out of 317 recipients (5.05%) required conversion from FK506 to CsA.The clinical indications for conversion included:neurological adverse effect of FK506 in 5 cases (31.25%),hema- tological adverse effect in 2 cases (12.5%),gastrointestinal effect in one case (6.25%),not capable of reaching therapeutic window concentration in 3 cases (18.75%),refractory hyperglycemia in 2 ca- ses (12.5%),and economic factor in 3 cases (18.75%).The majority of recipients demonstrated clinical improvement after the switch,except 2 of 16 patients (12.5%) had to be reconverted to FK506 due to renal disadvantage.No dead recipient and adverse effect correlated to immunosuppres- sive agent conversion were seen.Conclusion If necessary,conversion from FK506 to CsA in patients undergoing liver transplantation is safe and effective.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression and significance of caspase-1 in normal and hyperplastic prostate tissues.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-eight paraffin-embedded sections, including 21 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 7 normal prostate tissue samples, were investigated immunohistochemically for caspase-1.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rate of caspase-1 expression in the BPH tissues was 71.4% (15/21 ) while that in the normal prostate tissues was 100%. The expression level of caspase-1 in both epithelial cells and interstitial cells of the hyperplastic prostate tissues was obviously lower than that of the normal prostate tissues (P < 0.01). Within the BPH tissues, the expression level of caspase-1 in the epithelial cells was higher than in the interstitial cells, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of caspase-1 is dramatically reduced in the hyperplastic prostate tissues, which indicates that the decline of caspase-1-dependent apoptosis might be involved in the progress of benign prostatic hyperplasia.</p>