Application of Intermediate Mesoderm-like Cells in Kidney Regeneration / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To induce adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to differentiate into intermediate mesoderm (IM)-like cells ,with IM-like cells for recellularizing kidney scaffolds,and then to obtain a tissue-engineering kidney with renal structures and functions through co-culture.Methods After inguinal fat pads of Wistar rats were surgically harvested,the primary ADSCs were isolated,induced,and cultured for stem cell identification. ADSCs were inducted to differentiate into IM-like cells by adding glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitor (CHIR99021) and fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) at different stages. Seven days later,the IM-like cells were identified. The induced IM-like cells and well-prepared kidney decellularized scaffolds were co-cultured for 10 days to obtain recellularized tissue-engineered kidneys and their differentiation was identified.Results The ADSCs harvested had osteogenic and adipogenic abilities and could express the stem cell surface markers. After 7 days of induction,the positive expressions of odd-skipped related 1 and paired-box 2 were observed in IM-like cells by immunofluorescence technique. After 10 days of co-culture with kidney decellularized scaffolds,the positive expressions of Wilms'tumor 1,GATA-binding protein-3,and E-cadherin were observed by immunofluorescence technique.Conclusion ADSCs can be induced into IM-like cells,and renal cell differentiation can be observed through combining the induced IM-like cells with kidney decellularized scaffolds.

Sexual function and sexual life quality of chronic prostatitis patients: a clinical investigation / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the sexual function and the quality of sexual life in patients with chronic prostatitis (CP), and to analyze the correlated factors and their influence on the quality of life (QOL) of the CP patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We randomly selected 148 CP patients as the CP group and 71 healthy men as controls, asked them to fill out a questionnaire on sexual function and the quality of sexual life, obtained their scores on NHI-CPSI, and comparatively analyzed the results. We also made analyses on the influence of age, disease course, CP symptom scores and EPS level on sexual function and the quality of sexual life, as well as the impact of CP symptoms, sexual dysfunction and sexual life quality on the QOL of the CP patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No retro-ejaculation was found in either of the two groups. The mean score on sexual function and sexual life quality was 38.1 +/- 7.9 and 47.8 +/- 3.1 in the CP and the control group, respectively, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Compared with the controls, the CP patients showed significantly decreased scores on libido, erectile function, ejaculation, orgasm frequency, self-confidence in sexual life, sexual satisfaction, and the partners' orgasm frequency and sexual satisfaction (P < 0.05). The indexes of sexual function and the QOL score were significantly correlated with CP symptoms, but not with the disease course and the WBC and lecithin counts in the prostatic fluid. The age of the patients was significantly correlated with the score of libido but not with other indexes of sexual function. CP symptoms, including pain, micturition and reduced sexual function and sexual life quality, along with the decreased orgasm frequency and sexual satisfaction of the patients' spouses, remarkably influenced the patients' QOL.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CP symptoms significantly decrease the indexes of sexual function of the patients and, in turn, their sexual life quality and QOL. Sexual dysfunction and reduced sexual life quality of CP patients are significantly correlated with CP symptoms, but not with the course of the disease, the age of the patient and the results of EPS detection.</p>

Alpha-blockers and bioflavonoids in men with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (NIH-IIIa): a prospective, placebo-controlled trial / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The National Institutes of Health (NIH) category IIIa chronic prostatitis syndromes (non bacterial chronic prostatitis) were common disorders but with few effective therapies. Alpha-blockers and bioflavonoids had recently been reported in randomized controlled trials to improve the symptom of these disorders in a significant proportion of men. The aim of this study was to confirm these findings in a prospective randomized, placebo-controlled trial.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five men with category IIIa chronic non bacterial protatitis were randomized into three groups as follows: (1) placebo; (2) phenoxybenzamine-hydrochloride:10 mg two times a day for one month; (3) flavoxate HCI-neptumus: 200 mg three times a day for one month. The NIH chronic prostatitis symptom score was used to grade symptoms at the beginning and conclusion of the study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients in three groups completed the study except three dropout patients in placebo group because of sever symptoms. The three groups were similar in age, duration of symptoms and initial symptom score. Patients taking placebo had a mean improvement in NIH-CPSI from 21.85 to 19.55 (not significant), while the phenoxybenzamine-hydrochloride group had a mean improvement from 21.95 to 13.75 (P < 0.01), and those taking flavoxate HCI-neptumus had a mean improvement from 21.75 to 16.95 (P < 0.05). The decrease in NIH-CPSI was associated with significant improvement in patients' clinical manifestations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Therapy with alpha-blockers was well tolerated with significant symptomatic improvement in most men having chronic non-bacterial chronic protatitis while the bioflavonoids group had no significant improvement. Mechanism of both medicines needs further study.</p>