Spinal Mechanisms of Itch Transmission / 神经科学通报·英文版

Peripheral itch stimuli are transmitted by sensory neurons to the spinal cord dorsal horn, which then transmits the information to the brain. The molecular and cellular mechanisms within the dorsal horn for itch transmission have only been investigated and identified during the past ten years. This review covers the progress that has been made in identifying the peptide families in sensory neurons and the receptor families in dorsal horn neurons as putative itch transmitters, with a focus on gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)-GRP receptor signaling. Also discussed are the signaling mechanisms, including opioids, by which various types of itch are transmitted and modulated, as well as the many conflicting results arising from recent studies.

Promotion of mental health and prevention of mental disorders: priorities for implementation

There is compelling evidence from high-quality studies that mental health promotion and primary prevention interventions can reduce the risk of mental disorders, enhance protective factors for good mental and physical health, and lead to lasting positive effects on a range of social and economic outcomes. This paper reviews the available evidence in order to guide the implementation of mental health promotion and prevention interventions in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The paper identifies a number of priority areas that can generate clear health and social gains in the population and be implemented and sustained at a reasonable cost. The interventions cover population groups across the lifespan from infancy to adulthood and include actions delivered across different settings and delivery platforms. "Best practices" were identified as interventions for which there is evidence not only of their effectiveness but also of their feasibility within resource constraints. The implications of the findings for capacity development are considered

Epidemiological features of prostate cancer in the Republic of Guinea

To define the epidemiological features of prostate cancer in the Republic of Guinea. This retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Urology and Andrology of Conakry University Hospital between January 2000 and December 2006. The parameters studied were the incidence of prostate cancer, the patients' age at the time of diagnosis, as well as the patients' geographical origin, social level, profession, marital status and urological history. Data are presented as mean values, range and percentage. In total, 3895 men were hospitalized at our Department of Urology during the study period. Of these, 5% were treated for prostate cancer. We noted a marked yearly increase of the number of cases with a mean incidence of 29 cases per year. Our patients' mean age was 70.3 [range 52 - 91] years. The majority of our patients originated from the coastal region [46%, n = 93], while only few came from Upper Guinea and the forest areas. Farmers formed the largest socio-professional group in our study, namely 51.2% [n = 104]. The majority of our patients were polygamous [70.4%]. Ninety-four patients reported a history of purulent urethritis. Although several possible risk factors, such as age, exposure to carcinogenic products at work, and sexual predisposing factors [especially sexually transmitted infections [STI]] have been suggested in this study, none of them has been proven to be responsible for the development of prostate cancer. Therefore, studies on large patient groups will be necessary to confirm these theories

[Bilharzial prostatitis: a case report and review of the literature]

Male genital lesions due to Schistosoma haematobium are rare in our environment. However, they were already reported by Chaker in 1889 and by Lortet and Vialleton who described the first lesions in seminal vesicles. We herein describe one case of schistosomal prostatitis discovered accidently in a 65-year-old patient after transurethral resection

[Traumatic rupture of the posterior urethra. Analysis of 87 cases at the Conakry University Hospital]

To report on our experience in the management of traumatic rupture of the posterior urethra. Eighty-seven patients with traumatic rupture of the posterior urethra were treated at the Department of Urology and Andrology of the Conakry University Hospital between January 1988 and December 2004. Trauma was caused by a car accident in 68 [78.2%] and by 72 hours after the accident. The others presented at a stage where urethral structure had already developed. Pelvic fracture was observed in 56 [64.4%] patients. The predominant presenting symptom was urinary retention in 62 [71.3%] patients, followed by bleeding per urethram in 59 [67.8%] and perineal hematoma in 23 [26.4%] patients. Treatment consisted of immediate realignment with a guiding catheter, deferred urethroplasty between the 8th and 10th day, or delayed urethroplasty, depending on the time elapsed after the injury. Good results were achieved in 32 [36.8%] and satisfactory results in 29 [44.8%] cases. Erectile dysfunction was noted in 19 [21.8%] patients. Treatment of ruptures of the posterior urethra remains controversial. Due to the fact that in our environment endoscopic realignment is not possible, deferred emergency end-toend urethrorraphy remains the method of choice for ruptures not associated with other serious lesions. In case of associated serious injuries, these are given priority as a life-saving measure before urethral repair

[Clinical features of cancer of the prostate in Guinea. Results of a study covering the period between 2000 and 2006]

To describe the clinical features of prostate cancer in a Guinean population. This retrospective study was carried out at the Department of Urology and Andrology of the Ignace Deen University Hospital, Conakry, between January 2000 and December 2006. In total, 203 patients were included in the study. The following parameters were evaluated: the patients' age at diagnosis, the reasons for consultation, the findings on digital rectal examination [DRE], total PSA value, prostate volume on ultrasound, tumor stage according to the 2002 TNM classification and Gleason score. The statistical evaluation aimed at finding significant relationships among the collected parameters. The mean patient age was 70,3 years [range: 52 -91 years]. The presenting symptoms consisted of irritative and obstructive urinary symptoms in 96.3% of the cases. DRE suggested malignancy of the prostate in 600% of the patients. The mean PSA value was 120.8 ng/m1 [range:0.1 - 6354 ng/ml]. The mean prostate volume on ultrasound was 77.2 cc. Localized tumors [T1 andT2] were found in21.2% of the patients, with a preponderance of T2 tumors [18.2%], and well differentiated tumors in 44.8% of the patients. The knowledge of these clinical features allows better understanding of the necessity for early diagnosis of prostate cancer in Guinea. Men should be evaluated starting from the age of 50 in order to reduce mortality