Sexual Function after Non-Nerve-Sparing Radical Cystoprostatectomy: A Comparison between Ileal Conduit Urinary Diversion and Orthotopic Ileal Neobladder Substitution

Objective To compare the erectile function (EF) and sexual desire (SD) in men after radical cystoprostatectomy (RCP) who had either an ileal conduit urinary diversion or orthotropic ileal neobladder substitution. Materials and Methods Eighty one sexually active men with bladder cancer were enrolled in this prospective study. After RCP according to patients' preferences they underwent either ileal conduit urinary diversion (n = 41) or orthotropic ileal neobladder substitution (n = 40). EF and SD were assessed using International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Patients were assessed at 4-week before surgery and were followed up at 1, 6, and 12-month postoperatively using the same questionnaire. Results Postoperatively the EF and SD domains deteriorated significantly in both groups, but in a small proportion of the patients submitted to ileal neobladder they gradually improved with time (P = 0.006). At 12-month postoperative period, 4 (9.8%) and 14 (35.0%) patients in ileal conduit and ileal neobladder groups were able to achieve erections hard enough for vaginal penetration and maintained their erection to completion of intercourse, respectively (P = 0.006). Among patients in the ileal conduit and ileal neobladder groups, additional 4 (9.8%) and 7 (17.1%) patients were able to get some erection, but were unable to maintain their erection to completion of intercourse (P = 0.02). At 12-month follow up period 24.4% of the ileal conduit and 45.0% of the ileal neobladder patients rated their sexual desire very high or high (P = 0.01). Conclusion When performed properly, orthotopic ileal neobladder substitution after RCP offers better long-term results in terms of EF and SD. .

[Effect of metformin on the Pdx-1 gene expression during development of mouse pancreas]

Metformin, an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes, is a Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 [GLP-1] analogue, which has been demonstrated to stimulate the expression of Pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 [Pdx-1], Insulin and Glucose transporter 2 [Glut-2] genes. In this study, the regulatory effect of metformin on beta cells function through the expression of Pdx-1, Insulin and Glut-2 genes was investigated. Pregnant C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 2 groups. Normal saline was given to the control group and the experimental group received 75, 150 and 250 mg/kg metformin daily by intraperitoneal injection from day 8.5 of pregnancy. Half the pregnant animals were then sacrificed by cervical dislocation or day 19.5 of pregnancy and the pancreases of embryos were dissected. The other half of pregnant animals were allowed to deliver their pups and the pancreases of one day old mice were dissected. The dissected pancreases were then used for assessment of Pdx-1, Insulin and Glut-2 genes expression by semi-quantitative RT-PCR method. Results showed that the administration of various doses of metformin caused no changes in the expression of Pdx-1, Insulin and Glut-2 genes compared to the control group [P>0.05]. The regulatory effect of metformin on beta cells function might not be related to the expression of Pdx-1, Insulin and Glut-2 genes and may be related to the expression of gloconeogenesis pathway genes

Ecological study of rotifers from Kor river, Fars, Iran.

In the present study, water samples from 3 stations of Kor river, Iran were analyzed for seasonal fluctuation of physico-chemical parameters, i.e. air and water temperature, dissolved oxygen, BOD, COD, total nitrogen, total hardness, pH, alkalinity, acidity, total dissolved solid and water current. Effect of physico-chemical parameters on surface water density of rotifers was also studied. During one year study 13 species of rotifers belonging to 2 classes and 3 orders, 6 families and 10 genera were recognized. Maximum population density belongs to Lecane luna and the minimum population density was observed in Keratella valga and Monostyla lunaris. An inverse relationship between the population density of rotifera and the water current as wall as a direct relationship between the water temperature and the population density of rotifers was observed in all sampling stations and throughout the study period.