MALAT1 is involved in type I IFNs-mediated systemic lupus erythematosus by up-regulating OAS2, OAS3, and OASL

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease associated with an aberrant activation of immune cells partly due to the dysfunction of cytokines such as type I interferons (IFNs). Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 has been found to play a pathogenic role in SLE; however, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Bioinformatics analysis showed the up-regulation of type I IFN downstream effectors OAS2, OAS3, and OASL (OAS-like) in CD4+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, and CD33+ myeloid cells in patients with active SLE compared to healthy participants. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), CD19+ B, and CD4+ T cells were isolated from active SLE patients and healthy participants. PCR was performed to quantify MALAT1, OAS2, OAS3, and OASL expression in immune cells. MALAT1, OAS2, OAS3, and OASL were knocked down in CD4+ T cells to investigate the regulatory effect of MALAT1 on the effectors and their involvement in type I IFNs-mediated inflammation. Results showed higher OAS2, OAS3, and OASL expression in active SLE patients. MALAT1 expression was positively correlated to OAS2, OAS3, and OASL expression in CD19+ B or CD4+ T cells. MALAT1 knockdown decreased OAS2, OAS3, and OASL expression. Treatment with IFN-α-2a increased the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-α in CD4+ T cells. However, knockdown of MALAT1, OAS2, OAS3, and OASL alone inhibited the effect of IFN-α-2a on TNF-α and IL-1β. This study suggested the involvement of MALAT1 in type I IFNs-mediated SLE by up-regulating OAS2, OAS3, and OASL.

Multiglycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii increase sperm apoptosis in male rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of multiglycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW) on sperm apoptosis in male rats and its possible mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen male SD rats were equally assigned to two groups to receive GTW and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) intragastrically, both at 20 mg/(kg x d) for 6 weeks. Then the epididymal sperm was collected for the measurement of the apoptosis rate, sperm membrane lipid fluidity and the contents of NO, MDA and SOD by flow cytometry and spectrophotometric determination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 6 weeks of medication, the GTW group showed a significant increase in sperm apoptosis and contents of NO and MDA (P < 0.01) and a remarkable decrease in sperm membrane lipid fluidity (P < 0.05) and SOD content (P < 0.01) as compared with the CMC control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GTW can damage sperm membrane lipid peroxidation and sperm membrane structure, increase sperm apoptosis, and reduce sperm membrane lipid fluidity.</p>

Regional anatomy of the dorsal penile nerve and its clinical significance / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the number, course and distribution of normal dorsal penile nerves and their clinical significance for selective neurectomy of the dorsal penile nerve in the treatment of primary premature ejaculation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We dissected 38 cadaveric adult penises and recorded the number, course and distribution of the dorsal penile nerves. A total of 314 cases of primary premature ejaculation underwent selective neurectomy of the dorsal penile nerve. The patients ranged between 20 and 45 years in age and from 1 to 22 years in disease course.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The dorsal penile nerves were distributed in parallel bilaterally in all the cadaveric penises and branched into the ventral side in 4 of them. The total number of dorsal penile nerves was (3.6 +/- 1.2) in the 38 cadaveric penises, 7 in 1 case, 6 in 1 case, 5 in 6 cases, 4 in 9 cases, 3 in 14 cases and 2 in 7 cases, while that of the 314 patients with primary premature ejaculation was (7.0 +/- 1.9), 5 in 64 cases, 6 in 56 cases, 7 in 52 cases, 8 in 40 cases, 9 in 33 cases, 10 in 28 cases, 11 in 25 cases, 12 in 11 cases and 13 in 5 cases. Selective neurectomy of the dorsal penile nerve achieved an intravaginal ejaculation latency of (4.31 +/- 1.87) minutes and sexual satisfaction rate of (61 +/- 17) %, significantly different from those before the operation ([1.24 +/- 0.32] min, [23 +/- 6] %; all P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The abnormal increase of dorsal penile nerves possibly lies at the bottom of the pathogenesis of primary premature ejaculation. Selective neurectomy of the dorsal penile nerve is safe and effective for the treatment of primary premature ejaculation.</p>

Sleeve circumcision and preputioplasty with modified incision / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the sleeve circumcision and preputioplasty with modified incision for the treatment of patients with phimosis or redundant prepuce.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five hundred and seventy-six patients with phimosis or redundant prepuce underwent operations of sleeve circumcision or preputioplasty with modified incision. The conventional incision was modified and changed into two opposite tortuous incisions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operation with modified incision had the following advantages: less blood loss, slight postoperative edema, no secondary bleeding or infection, quick recovery and good appearance of the penis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The sleeve circumcision and preputioplasty with modified incision is an excellent therapeutic option for phimosis and redundant prepuce.</p>