[Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel applied at different time-windows for premature ejaculation: A prospective single-center randomized controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel (CCLH) (Kamistad) applied at different time-windows on premature ejaculation (PE). METHODS: This prospective study included 72 PE patients treated by application of CCLH to the glans and penile body in our hospital from February to October 2021. According to the time of drug administration before insertion into the vagina, we randomly divided the patients into a 5-minute group (n = 39) and a 15-minute group (n = 33). Before and after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment, we compared the intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT), PE diagnostic tool (PEDT) score, quality of life, and adverse reactions between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Totally 62 of the patients completed the follow-up, 35 in the 5-minute group and 27 in the 15-minute group, and all showed significant improvement in IELT (P < 0.01) and PEDT score (P < 0.05) after treatment compared with the baseline. No allergic reactions, such as redness and swelling, developed at the application site in any of the patients, and no adverse significant effect was observed on the erectile hardness in 61 of the cases. Six cases showed increased erectile hardness instead. Fifty-seven of the patients experienced no obvious penile numbness or reduced sexual satisfaction, and all could complete their sexual activities. CONCLUSION: Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel applied at different time-windows is effective on PE, with a 5-minute rapid onset of action before intercourse, and no obvious adverse effects.

[Human urine-derived stem cell-derived exosomes improve diabetic erectile dysfunction in rats].

Objective: To investigate the improving effect of human urine-derived stem cell-derived exosomes (USC-Exo) on the endothelial function and erectile function of male rats with diabetic ED (DED) and explore their action mechanism. METHODS: USC-Exo were extracted from the culture medium of USC by ultracentrifugation and identified. Cavernous sinus endothelial cells (CCEC) were collected from SD male rats and cultured in endothelial cell growth medium-2 (EGM-2) (the normal control group), EGM-2 + L-glucose at 25 mM (the high glucose group), EGM-2 + L-glucose at 25 mmol/L) + USC-Exo at 10 µg/ml (the Exo group), and EGM-2 + L-glucose at 25 mmol/L + USC-Exo at 10 µg/ml) + 3-methyladenine at 2 mmol/L (the 3-MA group), respectively. Changes of the autophagic flux in the CCECs transfected with mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus were detected under the fluorescence microscope. The proliferation and tube-forming ability of the cells were assessed by CCK8 and Matrigel assays, respectively. DED was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin in 10 of the rats, which were equally and randomly divided into a DED and an Exo group, and another 5 normal male rats were taken as controls. The rats in the normal and DED groups were injected intracavernously with 100 µl of PBS, and those in the Exo group with 100 µl of USC-Exo at the concentration of 1 µg/µl. Four weeks after treatment, the maximum intracavernous pressure (ICPmax) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured, the endothelial marker CD31 detected by immunofluorescence assay, the expressions of the CD31, Beclin1 and LC3 I/II proteins examined by Western blot, and the number of autophagosomes in the cavernous endothelial cells determined under the transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: USC-Exo significantly increased the number of autophagosomes in the CCEC in the high glucose group compared with that in the normal controls (39.5 ± 6.2 vs 12.5 ± 5.4, P < 0.05). The expression of Beclin1 and proliferation of the CCEC were significantly higher in the Exo than in the high glucose group (P < 0.05). The autophagy inhibitor 3-MA evidently reversed the increasing effect of USC-Exo on the proliferation of the CCEC. The tube-forming ability of the CCEC was significantly increased in the Exo group compared with that in the high glucose group (15.3 ± 3.2 vs 6.3 ± 2.1, P < 0.05), which was also reversed in the 3-MA group. Both ICPmax and the ICPmax/MAP ratio were significantly higher in the Exo than in the DED group (ï¼»86.6 ± 12.6ï¼½ vs ï¼»37.9 ± 10.9ï¼½ mmHg, P < 0.05; 89.3 ± 14.1 vs 41.7 ± 11.5, P < 0.05), and so were the expressions of CD31, Beclin1 and LC3 I/II (P< 0.05) and the number of autophagosomes in the cavernosal endothelial cells (3.7 ± 0.6 vs 1.0 ± 1.0, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: USC-Exo can significantly improve the endothelial and erectile functions of DED rats by increasing the autophagy of cavernosal endothelial cells.

Sperm DNA fragmentation index influences assisted reproductive technology outcome: A systematic review and meta-analysis combined with a retrospective cohort study.

Studies have explored the influence of DNA damage in assisted reproductive technology (ART), but the outcome remains controversial. To determine whether sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) has any effect on ART outcomes, we collected detailed data regarding 1,333 IVF cycles performed at our centre, and the data of our retrospective cohort study were extracted for this meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Google Scholar and performed a systemic review and meta-analysis. Primary meta-analysis of 10 studies comprising 1,785 couples showed that live birth rate was no significantly different between low-DFI group and high-DFI group (p > 0.05). Secondary meta-analysis of 25 studies comprising 3,992 couples showed a higher miscarriage rate in high-DFI group than in low-DFI group (RR=1.57 [1.18, 2.09], p < 0.01). Meta-analysis of eight studies comprising 17,879 embryos revealed a lower good-quality embryo rate (RR=0.65 [0.62, 0.68], p < 0.01). Meta-analysis of 23 studies comprising 6,771 cycles showed that the high-DFI group had a lower clinical pregnancy rate than low-DFI group (RR=0.85 [0.75, 0.96], p < 0.01). Heterogeneity of included studies weakened our conclusions. Our study showed that DFI has adverse effects on ART outcome. More well-designed studies exploring the association between DFI and ART outcome are desired.

[Oxidative stress induces damage to epididymal epithelial tight junction protein ZO-1 and impairs epididymal function in varicocele rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate oxidative stress-mediated damage to the epididymal epithelial tight junction protein ZO-1 and its impact on epididymal function in varicocele rats. METHODS: We randomly divided 45 male adolescent SD rats into three groups of equal number: sham operation (left renal vein exposed and isolated), experimental (left renal vein constricted and collaterals of the left spermatic vein fully ligated), and treatment (60-day intragastric administration of vitamin E at 150 mg/kg/d after modeling). At 60 days after modeling, we observed the histological changes in the left epididymis, detected the expressions of ZO-1 and other tight junction-related proteins by real-time quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting, determined sperm motility, and measured the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), methylene dioxyamphetamine (MDA) and α-glucosidase (α-Glu) in the epididymal tissue of the rats. RESULTS: Compared with the rats of the sham operation group, those of the experimental group showed disorganized epithelial structure and decreased number of epithelial cells in the left epididymis, with some epithelial cells desquamated into the lumen. The expression of ZO-1 was significantly lower in the experimental than in the sham operation group (P < 0.05) but markedly upregulated after VE treatment (P < 0.05). In comparison with the sham operation group, the animals in the experimental group exhibited remarkably increased content of MDA in the epididymal tissue (ï¼»0.41 ± 0.05ï¼½ vs ï¼»1.21 ± 0.18ï¼½ nmol/mg prot, P < 0.05) but decreased levels of SOD (ï¼»814.65 ± 73.64ï¼½ vs ï¼»298.62 ± 67.84ï¼½ U/mg prot, P < 0.05), T-AOC (ï¼»0.84 ± 0.07ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.24 ± 0.04ï¼½ nmol/mg prot, P < 0.05) and α-Glu (ï¼»11.72 ± 2.72ï¼½ vs ï¼»5.82 ± 1.24ï¼½ U/mg prot, P < 0.05). VE treatment, however, remarkably reduced the content of MDA (ï¼»0.69 ± 0.12ï¼½ nmol/mg prot) and elevated the levels of SOD (ï¼»497.73 ± 48.03ï¼½ U/mg prot), T-AOC (ï¼»0.42 ± 0.06ï¼½ nmol/mg prot) and α-Glu (ï¼»9.11 ± 1.91ï¼½ U/mg prot) as compared with those in the experimental group (all P < 0.05). The percentage of progressively motile sperm was significantly lower in the experimental than in the sham operation group (ï¼»31.33 ± 6.32ï¼½% vs ï¼»71.21 ± 5.21ï¼½%, P < 0.05), but markedly increased after VE treatment (ï¼»60.68 ± 5.31ï¼½%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Varicocele reduces the expression of the EETJ protein ZO-1 and impairs epididymal function via oxidative stress, while vitamin E can effectively upregulate the ZO-1 expression and improve epididymal function by decreasing oxidative stress in the epididymis of varicocele rats.

[Protective effect of urine-derived stem cells on erectile dysfunction in rats with cavernous nerve injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of human urine-derived stem cells (USCs) on erectile function and cavernous structure in rats with cavernous nerve injury (CNI). METHODS: Sixty adult male SD rats with normal sexual function were randomly divided into four groups of equal number: sham operation, bilateral CNI (BCNI) model control, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and USC. The BCNI model was established in the latter three groups of rats by clamping the bilateral cavernous nerves. After modeling, the rats in the PBS and USC groups were treated by intracavernous injection of PBS at 200 µl and USCs at 1×106/200 µl PBS respectively for 28 days. Then, the maximum intracavernous pressure (mICP) and the ratio of mICP to mean arterial pressure (mICP/MAP) of the rats were calculated by electrical stimulation of the major pelvic ganglions, the proportion of nNOS- or NF200-positive nerve fibers in the total area of penile dorsal nerves determined by immunohistochemical staining, the levels of endothelial cell marker eNOS, smooth muscle marker α-SMA and collagen I detected by Western blot, and the smooth muscle to collagen ratio and the cell apoptosis rate in the corpus cavernosum measured by Masson staining and TUNEL, respectively. RESULTS: After 28 days of treatment, the rats in the USC group, as compared with those in the PBS and BCNI model control groups, showed significant increases in the mICP (ï¼»81 ± 9.9ï¼½ vs ï¼»31 ± 8.3ï¼½ and ï¼»33 ± 4.2ï¼½ mmHg, P <0.05), mICP/MAP ratio (0.72 ± 0.05 vs 0.36 ± 0.03 and 0.35 ± 0.04, P <0.05), the proportions of nNOS-positive nerve fibers (ï¼»11.31 ± 4.22ï¼½% vs ï¼»6.86 ± 3.08ï¼½% and ï¼»7.29 ± 4.84ï¼½% , P <0.05) and NF200-positive nerve fibers in the total area of penile dorsal nerves (ï¼»27.31 ± 3.12ï¼½% vs ï¼»17.38 ± 2.87ï¼½% and ï¼»19.49 ± 4.92ï¼½%, P <0.05), the eNOS/GAPDH ratio (0.52 ± 0.08 vs 0.31 ± 0.06 and 0.33 ± 0.07, P <0.05), and the α-SMA/GAPDH ratio (1.01 ± 0.09 vs 0.36 ± 0.05 and 0.38 ± 0.04, P <0.05), but a remarkable decrease in the collagen I/GAPDH ratio (0.28 ± 0.06 vs 0.68 ± 0.04 and 0.70 ± 0.10, P <0.05). The ratio of smooth muscle to collagen in the corpus cavernosum was significantly higher in the USC than in the PBS and BCNI model control groups (17.91 ± 2.86 vs 7.70 ± 3.12 and 8.21 ± 3.83, P <0.05) while the rate of cell apoptosis markedly lower in the former than in the latter two (3.31 ± 0.83 vs 9.82 ± 0.76, P <0.01; 3.31 ± 0.83 vs 9.75 ± 0.91, P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intracavernous injection of USCs can protect the erectile function of the rat with cavernous nerve injury by protecting the nerves, improving the endothelial function, alleviating fibrosis and inhibiting cell apoptosis in the cavernous tissue.

[A preliminary investigation on sexual arousal in blind males].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the perception of the female partner's beauty, stimulating factors for sexual arousal, and the acquisition of sexual knowledge in blind males and analyze the related influencing factors. METHODS: Using a self-designed questionnaire and with the help of the Disabled Persons' Federation and the Association for the Blind of Ganzhou, we conducted an investigation among 54 blind males at an average age of 33.5 years, who met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled according to the rosters provided by the above institutions. We convened the subjects in the appointed hospitals or other places for telephone or face-to-face question-and-answer interviews with qualified investigators trained previously. RESULTS: In the first phase, as the preliminary investigation, open-ended questions were asked of 21 of the subjects on the telephone or at a one-to-one interview. In the second phase, as the formal investigation, closed-ended questions were asked of the other 33 blind males at a face-to-face interview. The blind males perceived the beauty of their sexual partners mainly by the female's mild disposition and sweet voice (63.6% ï¼»21/33ï¼½), soft and satiny skin (51.5% ï¼»17/33ï¼½), sexy and well-shaped body (54.5% ï¼»18/33ï¼½), and intoxicating bodily scent (18.2% ï¼»6/33ï¼½). The stimulating factors for sexual arousal of the subjects included hearing the partner's soft and sweet voice (39.4% ï¼»13/33ï¼½), feeling her satiny skin (54.5% ï¼»18/33ï¼½), touching her sexy and well-shaped body (66.7% ï¼»22/33ï¼½), and the pleasant mood of the males (30.3% ï¼»10/33ï¼½). CONCLUSIONS: The blind males in Ganzhou perceive the beauty of their sexual partners mainly by their senses of hearing, touch and smell, and the stimulating factors for sexual arousal chiefly include the partner's sweet voice, satiny skin and well-shaped body as well as the pleasant mood of the males.

Who will benefit from surgical repair for painful varicocele: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of different surgical approaches and techniques for resolving varicocele-related pain and factors that predict surgical outcomes. METHODS: The PubMed and Embase databases were searched with the terms "varicocele", "varicocelectomy" and "pain". Manual searches by reviewing the references of included studies were performed. Studies were included when they focused on the influence of varicocele grade, pain quality, different surgical approaches or techniques on pain resolution. A meta-analysis was conducted with RevMan5.3 software. RESULTS: Twelve studies were identified in the analysis. No significant correlation was found between varicocele grade and pain resolution (P > 0.05). The resolution rate for dull pain was significantly higher than sharp pain [RR = 1.11, 95 % CI (1.02, 1.22), P = 0.02], and there were no other significant differences between the qualities of pain and pain resolution. The pain resolution rate was significantly higher after subinguinal varicocelectomy than after high or inguinal varicocelectomy [RR = 0.83, 95 % CI (0.76, 0.90), P < 0.00001 and RR = 0.92, 95 % CI (0.86, 0.99), P = 0.02]. The pain resolution rate was significantly higher after microsurgery than after laparoscopic varicocelectomy [RR = 0.77, 95 % CI (0.60, 0.99), P = 0.04]. CONCLUSION: Subinguinal varicocelectomy and microsurgical varicocelectomy are efficacious for resolving varicocele-related pain compared to other approaches and techniques. Pain quality is a factor that predicts surgical outcomes while varicocele grade is not. Additional controlled studies are warranted to clearly define this clinical problem.

[Anatomical variability of the left spermatic vein and establishment of the experimental left varicocele model in adolescent rats].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the anatomical variability of the left spermatic vein (LSV) and determine its effect on the induction of experimental left varicocele (ELV) in adolescent rats. METHODS: We equally randomized 30 adolescent male SD rats to groups A (LSV collaterals fully ligated and the left renal vein constricted), B (only the left renal vein constricted), and C (sham operation), observed the courses of the LSVs and measured their diameters. At 30 days after operation, we analyzed the changes in the left kidneys and the diameters of the LSVs. RESULTS: Irregular collaterals were observed in 90% of the LSVs and no abnormal changes were found in the left kidneys after surgery. The postoperative LSV diameter was remarkably increased in group A as compared with the baseline ([1.47 +/- 0.15 ] vs [0.16 +/- 0.08] mm, P < 0.01), but showed no significant difference in group B ([0.31 +/- 0.49] vs [0.15 +/- 0.07] mm, P > 0.05) and C ([0.17 +/- 0.07] vs [0.16 +/- 0.06] mm, P > 0.05), and it was significantly longer in A than in B (P < 0.01). The success rate of ELV induction was 100% in group A and 10% in group B, but no varicocele was observed in group C. CONCLUSION: Correct identification of the anatomical course of the LSV and ligation of its irregular collaterals are essential for the establishment of a stable and consistent ELV model.

[Qilin pills combined with levofloxacin for asthenospermia accompanied with accessory sex gland infection: a clinical observation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of the combination of Qilin Pills and levofloxacin in the treatment of asthenospermia accompanied with accessory sex gland infection. METHODS: We randomly assigned 80 asthenospermia patients with accessory sex gland infection to groups 1 and 2 of equal number, the former treated with Qilin Pills + levofloxacin, and the latter with levofloxacin only. Qilin Pills were administered at the dose of 6 g tid for 30 days, and levofloxacin at the dose of 0.5 g qd for 20 days. We obtained semen parameters, including the percentage of progressively motile sperm and peroxidase-positive white blood cell (WBC) count, before and after medication, and compared the clinical effects between the two groups. RESULTS: All the patients accomplished the clinical trial. The therapeutic effectiveness rates in improving progressive sperm motility were 60% in group 1 and 17.5% in group 2, with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). As for the peroxidase-positive WBC count in semen, the effectiveness rates were 87.5% and 82.5%, respectively, with no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: For the treatment of asthenospermia accompanied with accessory sex gland infection, Qilin Pills combined with levofloxacin is evidently better than levofloxacin alone in improving sperm motility, and it has no obvious adverse effects.

[Study on spatial-temporal variation of infected snail in bottomland areas after an integrated control strategy at village level in the marshland and lake regions based on geographic information system].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of an integrated control strategy and to quantify the spatial-temporal variation of infected snails in the bottomland areas after the strategy was implemented. METHODS: Based on the geographic database of infected snail distribution at the village level during 2004 - 2010 in Anxiang county, Hunan province, spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatial scan statistics were applied to analyze the spatial-temporal characteristics on the distribution of infected snails. RESULTS: The number of embankments with infected snails in Anxiang county decreased from 23 in 2004 to 10 in 2010, while the rate of frame with infected snail in embankments decreased from 4.32‰ in 2004 to 0.12‰ in 2010. The spatial distribution of infected snails was nonrandom, only in 2004 and 2005 with Moran's I = 0.21 (P < 0.10) and Moran's I = 0.13 (P < 0.10) respectively. Data from the local spatial auto-correlation analysis showed that the number of villages with H-H types of auto-correlation model had been gradually decreasing. The results of SaTScan statistics appeared the same as from the local spatial auto-correlation analysis, showing that the number of areas with increased risk was decreasing. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive measures with emphasis on infectious source control seemed effective for schistosomiasis control program. The current distribution characteristics provided us with evidence that the resource assignment could be more reasonably implemented so as to control schistosomiasis in a more effective way.

Tris[N-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridine-2-carboxamidato-kappa2N,N']cobalt(III) trihydrate: a novel meridional complex.

The title complex, [Co(C(12)H(8)FN(2)O)(3)].3H(2)O, has been synthesized for the first time. The complex comprises three bidentate ligands containing the pyridine-2-carboxamide stem. The distorted octahedral coordination around the Co atom is formed via the pyridine (py) N atom and the deprotonated amide N atom of each ligand, with the three pyridine rings in a meridional arrangement. For each ligand, the pyridine ring and the carbonyl group are nearly coplanar, with torsion angles in the range 0.4 (3)-4.8 (4) degrees. The Co-N(py) distances [1.9258 (16)-1.9656 (17) A] are shorter than the corresponding Co-N(amide) distances [1.9372 (17)-1.9873 (15) A]. In addition, the Co-N(py) distances are closely related to the magnitudes of the chelate angles, a shorter Co-N(py) distance corresponding to a larger angle. Five intermolecular hydrogen bonds, involving carbonyl O atoms of the ligands and lattice water molecules, lead to the formation of a mesh structure.

Synthesis and characterization of cobalt(III) complexes containing 2-pyridinecarboxamide ligands and their application in catalytic oxidation of ethylbenzene with dioxygen.

Four novel cobalt(III) complexes were found to have high catalytic activities and excellent selectivities in the oxidation of ethylbenzene to acetophenone using O2 as oxidant without need of solvent.