ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a herbal formula that mainly consists of Cornus officinalis for treating erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients suffering with erectile dysfunction were enrolled in this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. The average duration of erectile dysfunction of the herbal formula group(n=40) vs. the placebo group(n=40) were 19.33+/-18.13 months vs. 19.33+/-25.62 months, respectively. The safety variables we examined were the history, physical examination, vital signs, EKG, clinical laboratory tests and hormonal tests. Efficacy assessments included the International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF), the sexual encounter profile(SEP) diary and Global Assessment Questions(GAQ). RESULTS: No significant changes in the laboratory values, hormone tests and blood pressure were observed in both groups. In comparison with the placebo group(6.57+/-11.72), the herbal formula group experienced a significant improvement of the IIEF(11.13+/-11.83)(por=50) of the herbal formula group significantly improved their IIEF score(p<0.05). The herbal formula group significantly improved their GAQ score(p<0.05). The herbal formula was well tolerated. The common adverse events were headache(2.5%) and nausea(5%). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the herbal formula that mainly consists Cornus officinalis was not only effective at improving erectile function, but it was also safe for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Blood Pressure , Cornus , Electrocardiography , Erectile Dysfunction , Physical Examination , Treatment Outcome , Vital SignsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) is a kind of functional imaging technique and it is also an up-to-date technique for conducting electroencephalography (EEG) analysis. We tried to investigate the locations on the cerebral cortex that are activated by visually stimulated sexual arousal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three male volunteers (age range: 24.7+/-1.7 years) among all the right-handed medical students at our university were enrolled in this study. The EEGs included the segments recorded during resting, watching a music-video, intermission and watching a porno-video. The LORETA images of the cross-spectral analysis were obtained with using segments of LORETA-KEY (KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, Switzerland) software. RESULTS: In the statistical nonparametric maps (SnPM) of each spectrum and the delta, theta and alpha waves did not show the increased current density. The beta 1, 2 and 3 activity showed the point of maximal current densities in the anterior parahippocampal gyrus of the left limbic lobe and the superior temporal gyrus of both temporal lobes, the superior temporal gyrus of the right temporal lobe, the precuneus of the right parietal lobe, the medial frontal gyrus of the left frontal lobe, the middle occipital gyrus of the right occipital lobe, the superior temporal gyrus of both temporal lobes and the superior frontal gyrus of the right frontal lobe. CONCLUSIONS: The sexual arousal by visual stimulation may activate the anterior parahippocampal gyrus of the left limbic lobe, the superior temporal gyrus of both temporal lobes, the precuneus of the right parietal lobe, the medial frontal gyrus of the left frontal gyrus, and the middle occipital gyrus of the right occipital lobe.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Arousal , Brain , Cerebral Cortex , Electroencephalography , Frontal Lobe , Magnets , Occipital Lobe , Parahippocampal Gyrus , Parietal Lobe , Photic Stimulation , Students, Medical , Temporal Lobe , VolunteersABSTRACT
A Schwannoma is a tumor originating from the neural sheath of Schwann cells, and is also known as a neurilemmoma, neurinoma or fibroblastoma. It can be either a benign or malignant tumor arising from the associated nerve sheath. Here, a case of a Schwannoma, originated from the obturator nerve of the pelvic cavity, in a patient with urinary frequency is reported, with a brief review of the literature.
Subject(s)
Humans , Neurilemmoma , Obturator Nerve , Pelvis , Schwann CellsABSTRACT
Malignant melanomas of the genitourinary tract are uncommon, accounting for less than 1% of all cases of melanoma and only a small percentage of penile carcinoma. In industrialized counties, penile cancer is an uncommon malignancy, with a reported annual incidence of 1 per 100,000 men. Malignant melanoma of the penis is a rare lesion and will be encountered infrequently during urological practice. Here in, we report a case of primary malignant melanoma of the penis and a brief review of the literature.