Preparation and Characterization of Polycarbonate-Based Blend System with Favorable Mechanical Properties and 3D Printing Performance.

Recently, material extrusion (MEX) 3D printing technology has attracted extensive attention. However, some high-performance thermoplastic polymer resins, such as polycarbonate (PC), cannot be processed by conventional MEX printing equipment due to poor processing performance. In order to develop new PC-based printing materials suitable for MEX, PC/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends were prepared using a simple polymer blending technique. It was found that the addition of PBAT component significantly improved processing performance of the PC, making the blends processable at 250 °C. More importantly, the PC was completely compatible with the PBAT, and the PBAT effectively reduced the Tg of the blends, endowing the blends with essential 3D printing performance. Furthermore, methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (MBS) was introduced into the PC/PBAT blends to improve toughness. SEM observations demonstrated that MBS particles, as stress concentration points, triggered shear yielding of polymer matrix and absorbed impact energy substantially. In addition, the MBS had little effect on the 3D printing performance of the blends. Thus, a PC/PBAT/MBS blend system with favorable comprehensive mechanical properties and 3D printing performance was achieved. This work can provide guidance for the development of novel MEX printing materials and is of great significance for expanding the variety of MEX printing materials.

Fabrication of 3D Printed Polylactic Acid/Polycaprolactone Nanocomposites with Favorable Thermo-Responsive Cyclic Shape Memory Effects, and Crystallization and Mechanical Properties.

In this work, 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA)/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposites with favorable thermo-responsive cyclic shape memory effects (SMEs) and crystallization and mechanical properties were fabricated using a two-step method. First, an isocyanate-terminated PCL diol (PCL-NCO) was synthesized through the reaction between isocyanate groups of hexamethylene diisocyanate and active hydroxyl groups of PCL diol, and its physicochemical properties were characterized. A PLA/PCL blend with a PCL content of 50 wt% was fabricated via fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing, and the influence of the PCL-NCO on the SME of the PLA/PCL blend was studied. The results indicated that the PCL-NCO significantly improved the cyclic shape memory performance of 3D printed PLA/PCL blends and was proved to be an effective interface compatibilizer for the blend system. Subsequently, the structure and properties of 3D printed PLA/PCL nanocomposites were investigated in detail by adding cellulose nanocrystal-organic montmorillonite (CNC-OMMT) hybrid nanofillers with different contents. It was found that the hybrid nanofillers greatly enhanced crystallization and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites due to adequate dispersion. The modification of the PLA/PCL blend and the preparation of the 3D printed nanocomposite can not only prolong the service life of a shape memory polymer product, but also broaden its application scope in advanced fields.

Wear Performance of Circular Shim against Cam in Engine Bench Test.

Unlike the conventional engine, the valve train of a certain type of engine uses a circular shim instead of a tappet to wear against the cam. To verify the reliability of the shim, an engine bench test was used to test its wear performance. The total duration of the bench test was 1000 h, which was divided into three stages. In each stage, the test equipment was stopped, and the shims were disassembled to observe the surface morphology during the worn process. Precious long-term data were obtained. With the extension of the bench test time, weight loss increased. The maximum weight loss occurs 1000 h after worn, which is about twice that of 350 h. During the wear process, a plastic flow of material was found on the subsurface, and fatigue wear marks occurred on the surface. With an increase in test time, the wear marks increased, leading to material spalling and the formation of pits. The wear mechanism was the mixed wear of fatigue wear and adhesive wear.

Investigation of Friction and Wear Behavior of Cast Aluminum Alloy Piston Skirt with Graphite Coating Using a Designed Piston Skirt Test Apparatus.

A piston skirt friction and wear apparatus that simulates the contact and the relative motion of piston and cylinder liner in a real engine has been designed and constructed. With this apparatus, the friction and wear behavior of a cast aluminum alloy piston with a graphite coating under different loads was studied, and the effectiveness of the apparatus was confirmed. The total wear of the piston skirt was higher under a higher load, and the upper part of the skirt surface (around the height of the piston pin) was worn more severely. The wear mechanisms were studied and, based on the test results and surface analyses, three main wear modes were believed to occur in the wear process of the piston skirt: abrasive, adhesive, and fatigue wear. The effects of skirt profile design, coating, and surface texturing on the friction and wear behavior of the piston skirt can be investigated well using the proposed apparatus, which can truly reflect actual working conditions and is useful to improve the tribological performances of piston skirts.

Development and validation of a nomogram to predict survival in patients with metastatic testicular germ cell tumors.

BACKGROUND: To develop a nomogram to predict cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with metastatic testicular germ cell tumors (mTGCTs). METHODS: Data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to identify factors associated with CSS. Survival times between different groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test. A nomogram visualization model was established using the R language to predict survival rates. Harrell's concordance index (C-index), the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration plots were used to assess the performance of the model. RESULTS: We analyzed the data of 949 patients. The median follow-up time was 32 months (range 0 to 83 months), and 224 (23.60%) patients died before the last follow-up, of whom 193 (20.33%) died of mTGCTs. The site of distant metastases was an independent prognostic factor for CSS. Compared to patients without involvement of the corresponding organ, patients with bone, brain, liver, and lung involvement had worse CSS. We also found that age, histological type, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, metastatic site and insurance status affected the CSS of patients with mTGCTs. We used these prognostic factors to construct our nomogram. Harrell's C-index for CSS was 0.739. The AUC and calibration plots indicated good performance of the nomogram. CONCLUSIONS: A nomogram for predicting CSS in patients with mTGCTs has been developed, which can help patients and clinicians accurately predict mortality risk and recommend personalized treatment modalities.

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting survival in patients with non-metastatic primary adenocarcinoma of the bladder.

BACKGROUND: To develop a nomogram for predicting cancer-specific survival (CSS) of patients with non-metastatic primary adenocarcinoma of the bladder (NMACB). METHODS: We used a retrospective cohort study design. Patient data were obtained from the SEER database, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with CSS. A nomogram visualization model was established using R language software to predict survival rate. Harrell's concordance index (C-index), area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) in addition to calibration plots were used to assess the performance of the model. RESULTS: A total of 1,635 patients were included in the study. A multivariate Cox regression model indicated that age, histological type, grade, stage, and surgery were independent covariates associated with CSS. Using these prognostic factors, a nomogram was constructed. Harrell's C indices for CSS were 0.729 in the training cohort and 0.716 in the validation cohort. AUC values were 0.769, 0.735 and 0.724 for 1, 3, and 5-year in the training cohort, and 0.738, 0.727 and 0.713 for 1, 3 and 5-year in the validation cohort, respectively. The AUC values and calibration plots indicated that the nomogram provided good predictive performance. CONCLUSIONS: A nomogram for predicting CSS in patients with NMACB was developed to assist clinicians in the accurate prediction of mortality risk to allow them to recommend a personalized treatment modality.

Anti-Wear Property of Aluminum⁻Silicon Alloy Treated by Chemical Etching, Mechanical Honing and Laser Finishing.

To enhance the anti-wear property of aluminum-silicon (Al-Si) alloy, three processing technologies-chemical etching, mechanical honing and laser finishing-were compared in terms of their effects on anti-wear performance. The treated Al-Si alloy cylinder liner samples were worn against a piston ring by a reciprocating sliding tribotester; the anti-wear performance was represented by the friction coefficient and wear loss; and the wear mechanism was determined by establishing stress contact models. The results showed that the best time for both the chemical etching and mechanical honing treatments was 2 min, and the optimal laser power was 1000 W for the laser finishing treatment. The three processing technologies could all remove the aluminum layer and make the silicon protrude on the surface to avoid the plastic flow of aluminum during the friction process. The laser finishing could not only protrude the silicon particle but also make its edge rounded and smooth, which decreased the stress concentration. Therefore, the Al-Si alloy cylinder liner treated with laser finishing had the best anti-wear performance.

[Low-dose PDE5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction with subclinical metabolic syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of low-dose PDE5 inhibitors on metabolic parameters and erectile function in ED patients with subclinical metabolic syndrome (SCMS). METHODS: Totally, 132 ED patients, aged 21－61 (mean 34.5) years, were treated in the Andrology Clinic of the First Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from April 2017 to May 2018. According to the diagnostic criteria, we divided the patients into groups A (simple ED, n = 40), B (ED with SCMS, n = 34) and C (ED with MS, n = 58) to receive 3 months of oral administration of tadalafil at 5 mg qd at bedtime, and followed them up for 3 months after drug withdrawal. During the treatment, we advised the patients to keep a healthy diet, change bad habits, participate in regular physical exercise, and maintain psychological balance. Before and right after medication and at 3 months after drug withdrawal, we recorded the changes in the IIEF-5 scores, abdominal circumference, blood pressure and levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) of the patients. RESULTS: The IIEF-5 scores showed statistically significant differences at different time points between groups A and C (P < 0.01), remarkably higher right after treatment than before treatment and at 3 months after drug withdrawal in group B (19.71 ± 2.40 vs 10.21 ± 3.92 and 16.29 ± 2.41, P < 0.01). At 3 months after drug withdrawal, the abdominal circumference was significantly smaller in group A than in B and C (ï¼»78.10 ± 6.00ï¼½ vs ï¼»84.15 ± 8.17ï¼½ and ï¼»91.53 ± 11.49ï¼½ cm, P < 0.01) and the HDL level lower in group C than in A and B (ï¼»0.96 ± 0.15ï¼½ vs ï¼»1.27 ± 0.14ï¼½ and ï¼»1.16 ± 0.2ï¼½] mmol/L, P < 0.01). Systolic blood pressure exhibited statistically significant differences between any two time points in group C (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) but not in group A (P > 0.05) or B (P > 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure was markedly lower in group B right after medication and at 3 months after drug withdrawal than before treatment (ï¼»75.62 ± 10.70ï¼½ and ï¼»74.65 ± 9.90ï¼½ vs ï¼»78.00 ± 11.42ï¼½ mmHg, P < 0.05), and so was it in group C (ï¼»82.19 ± 10.36ï¼½ and ï¼»82.40 ± 10.09ï¼½ vs ï¼»86.71 ± 12.32ï¼½ mmHg, P < 0.05), but manifested no significant difference between any two time points in group A (P > 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the FBS level among different time points in groups A and C (P < 0.05) but not in B between post-treatment and 3 months after drug withdrawal (ï¼»5.34 ± 0.60ï¼½ vs ï¼»5.36 ± 0.40ï¼½ mmol/L, P > 0.05), and so were there in the TG level among different time points in groups A and C (P < 0.05) but not in B between pre- and post-treatment (ï¼»1.80 ± 0.98ï¼½ vs ï¼»1.64 ± 1.19ï¼½ mmol/L, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Periodic administration of low-dose sustained-release PDE5 inhibitors with health education and lifestyle guidance may reverse ED with SCMS and improve most of the related metabolic parameters.

[Diagnosis and treatment of male urethritis in urology and andrology: A status survey].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the status quo of the diagnosis and treatment of male urethritis (MU) in urology and andrology. METHODS: According to The Guidelines for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (2017), we designed 27 questions on the prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of MU. Using these questions, we conducted a questionnaire investigation among urological, andrological and other relevant clinicians with different professional titles, followed by an analysis of the compliance of the doctors to the Guidelines. RESULTS: Totally, 116 valid questionnaires were collected from 86 urological, 28 andrological and 2 other relevant doctors, including 22 professors, 36 associate professors, 40 attending doctors and 16 resident doctors. MU was found mostly in those aged 20－40 years and more than half of the patients had a history of unclean sex, gonococcal urethritis significantly less prevalent than non-gonococcal, with Ureaplasma urealyticum as the most common pathogen of non-gonococcal urethritis. As for the compliance to the Guidelines in the diagnosis of MU, 22.73% of the professors, 16.67% of the associate professors, 15.00% of the attending doctors and 12.50% of the resident doctors examined the eyes, mouth and perianus (P > 0.05), 40.91% of the professors, 58.33% of the associate professors, 40.00% of the attending doctors and 37.50% of the resident doctors conducted HIV and syphilis screening (P > 0.05), and 86.36% of the professors, 77.78% of the associate professors, 70.00% of the attending doctors and 75.00% of the resident doctors performed genital mycoplasma screening (P > 0.05). Concerning the treatment of MU, 50.00% of the professors, 47.22% of the associate professors, 22.50% of the attending doctors and 43.75% of the resident doctors used anti-Chlamydia trachomatis drugs for gonococcal urethritis (P > 0.05), 0.00% of the professors, 11.11% of the associate professors, 5.00% of the attending doctors and 31.25% of the resident doctors prescribed 1g single-dose oral azithromycin for non-gonococcal urethritis (P < 0.05), 13.64% of the professors, 33.33% of the associate professors, 17.50% of the attending doctors and 6.25% of the resident doctors medicated persistent or recurrent non-gonococcal urethritis for >4 weeks (P > 0.05), 63.64% of the professors, 83.33% of the associate professors, 57.50% of the attending doctors and 62.50% of the resident doctors treated asymptomatic trachomatis and mycoplasma infections according to the proposed medication in the Guidelines (P > 0.05). As regards the results of treatment, the cure rate of gonococcal urethritis was 100.00% by professors, 97.22% by associate professors, 95.00% by attending doctors and 81.25% by resident doctors (P > 0.05), and that of non-gonococcal urethritis was 86.36% by professors, 61.11% by associate professors, 62.50% by attending doctors and 37.50% by resident doctors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Urological and andrological clinicians do not strictly follow the Guidelines in the diagnosis and treatment of male urethritis. There are significant differences in the dosing of azithromycin and results of treatment of non-gonococcal urethritis among doctors with different professional titles, but not in the other aspects.

[Ningmitai Capsules relieve lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia : A short-term clinical observation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect and safety of the Chinese patent medicine Ningmitai Capsules (NMT) in relieving lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in the patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: We randomly assigned 40 BPH patients to an experimental and a control group of equal number to receive oral administration of NMT at 4 capsules tid and terazosin hydrochloride tablets at 2 mg qd, respectively, both for 14 days. At 7 and 14 days after medication, we recorded and compared the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), quality of life (QoL) scores, results of urinalysis and blood routine examination, and indexes of hepatic and renal function. RESULTS: Both NMT and terazosin significantly improved the total IPSS score, the IPSS scores in the storage and voiding phases, increased Qmax and urine output, reduced post-void residual urine (PVR), and improved the QoL of the patients. The patients of the NMT group showed a better relief of incomplete bladder emptying, more improved QoL and fewer adverse reactions, while those treated with terazosin achieved a better attenuation of weak urine stream and PVR. CONCLUSIONS: NMT is safe and effective in relieving LUTS in BPH patients. Each of NMT and terazosin has its own advantages in attenuating urinary tract irritation and obstruction, but whether their combination may produce a better effect on LUTS and the specific mechanisms of NMT improving acute symptoms of BPH are yet to be further studied.

[Efficacy and safety of phosphodiesterase inhibitors for erectile dysfunction in diabetic men: A meta analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors for erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with diabetes mellitus and provide some evidence for the clinical treatment of the disease. METHODS: We searched MedMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wan Fang Data, VIP and ZADL for randomized controlled trials on PDE-5 inhibitors for ED in diabetic men and evaluated the methodology of the included trials with the Jadad scale. We used the erectile function domain in the IIEF (IIEF-EF), IIEF questions (IIEF-Q) 3 and 4, SEP-2 and -3, and Global Assessment Questions (GAQ) as the main evaluation indexes and employed the Review Manager 5. 1. 0 software for meta analysis. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies were included, which were all high quality trials with Jadad score > 3. The IIEF-EF scores in 10 of the included studies were subjected to meta analysis using the random-effect model (REM), with a weighted mean difference (WMD) of 5.64 (95% CI 4.41 - 6.83, P < 0.001). The fixed-effect model (FEM) analysis of the IIEF-Q scores in 6 of the studies showed the WMD to be 0.96 (95% CI 0.83 -1.08, P < 0.001) for IIEF-Q3 and 1.11 (95% CI 0.98 - 1.25, P < 0.001) for IIEF-Q4. FEM analysis of the SEP-2 scores showed WMD = 17.67 (95% CI 12. 38 - 22. 97, P < 0.001) in 2 of the studies, and that of the SEP-3 scores WMD = 23.64 (95% CI 17. 49 - 29.79, P < 0.001) in 5 of the studies. The GAQ scores in 11 of the studies were subjected to REM analysis, with OR = 6. 20 and 95% CI 3.65 - 10.52 (P < 0.001). REM analysis was performed on the adverse reactions in 11 of the studies, with OR = 7.43 and 95% CI 4.11 - 13.44 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PDE-5 inhibitors can effectively and safely improve erectile function in patients with diabetes mellitus.

[Protective effect of tadalafil against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (tadalafil) on the testis following testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: Eighty-four healthy adult male SD rats were randomly and equally divided into groups A (sham operation), B (testicular torsion + low-dose tadalafil), C (testicular torsion + high-dose tadalafil), and D (testicular torsion + placebo). Models were established in the latter three groups by 7200 torsion of the right testis for 2 hours. The animals in groups A and B were treated by gavage with tadalafil at the dose of 0. 5 mg per kg per day, those in group C at 2 mg per kg per day, and those in group D with saline at the same dose. After 3, 7, and 14 days of treatment, the torsioned testes were harvested for evaluation of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the testis tissue. The pathological changes in the testis were observed under the light microscope. RESULTS: At 3, 7, and 14 days, the SOD activity was (254.46 +/- 7.43), (278.49 +/- 8.33), and (317.99 +/- 3.31) nU/mg prot in group B, and (277.12 +/- 8.80), (309.40 +/- 2.14), and (320.39 +/- 4.72) nU/mg prot in group C, all obviously higher than in D ([223.21 +/- 4.65], [231.45 +/- 4.16] and [248.28 +/- 5.74] nU/mg prot), while the MDA content was lower in the former two groups than in the latter. At 3 and 7 days, the SOD activity was significantly higher and the MDA level significantly lower in group C than in B (both P < 0.01) , while at 14 days, neither showed any remarkable differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). No obvious histopathological change was observed in the testis tissue of group A. At 3 and 7 days, pathological examination of the testis tissue revealed significant differences in the number of seminiferous epithelial layers, testicular histological score, and seminiferous tubule diameter in group B (P < 0.01), but the three indexes at 14 days in group B and at 7 days in group C exhibited no remarkable differences from those at 14 days in group A. CONCLUSION: Tadalafil can alleviate testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury following testis torsion/detorsion in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

Psychological distress, burnout level and job satisfaction in emergency medicine: A cross-sectional study of physicians in China.

BACKGROUND: Chinese physicians are not only facing heavy work overloads, but also abuse and injury because of patient mistrust of physicians. The primary objective of the present study was to measure psychological distress, burnout levels and job satisfaction among Chinese emergency physicians. METHODS: All the physicians from the EDs of three large general hospitals were recruited to undertake a questionnaire-based survey from March to April 2012. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire were used. Correlations between job satisfaction and psychological distress and burnout were calculated using the Pearson correlation. An outcome was considered statistically significant if P < 0.05. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were received from 205 (82.0%) physicians. The mean HADS anxiety subscale scores for the ED physicians and general population were 7.8 ± 3.4 and 4.7 ± 3.5, respectively (t = 1.526, P < 0.05). Additionally, the mean HADS depression subscale scores were 7.9 ± 3.6 and 4.7 ± 3.9, respectively (t = 1.567, P < 0.05). Fifty-two (25.4%) exhibited high levels of career burnout. All aspects of job satisfaction were significantly lower in the ED physicians compared with a previous report (P < 0.05). Burnout was significantly negatively correlated with intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction in the sampled population. CONCLUSION: Psychological distress is prevalent in this group of ED physicians, and it deserves attention from the whole society. Burnout and job satisfaction among ED physicians are at a 'moderate' level. Burnout is negatively associated with higher job satisfaction.

Efficacy of daily low-dose sildenafil for treating interstitial cystitis: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial--treatment of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome with low-dose sildenafil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of daily low-dose sildenafil for the treatment of nonulcer interstitial cystitis (IC) in women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight women with a clinical diagnosis of IC from 3 medical centers were randomly assigned to treatment with daily low-dose sildenafil (25 mg, n=24) or placebo (n=24) for 3 months. The O'Leary-Sant IC symptom and problem indices, visual analog scale scores, and a micturition diary with the interval of micturition, the frequency of nocturia, and urgency episodes were recorded before treatment, every 2 weeks after the treatment until 3 months. Patient Overall Rating of Improvement in Symptoms was assessed and regarded as effective when the value was above 50%. RESULTS: The IC symptom and problem indices scores and urodynamic index were significantly improved in sildenafil treatment group as compared with placebo group and baselines at week 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, as well as 3 months after treatment (P<.05). Urodynamic index including first desire to void, strong desire to void, and maximum cystometric capacity was significantly improved in sildenafil treatment group at week 12 and at 3 months after treatment (P<.05). The efficiency of treatment reached 62.5%. However, no significant change of the visual analog scale values was observed between 2 groups except at week 12 in the sildenafil treatment group (P<.05). All adverse events were mild to moderate and transient. CONCLUSION: Daily low-dose sildenafil is an easy, well-tolerated, and effective treatment for IC in women.

Comparison between zoledronic acid and clodronate in the treatment of prostate cancer patients with bone metastases.

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety between zoledronic acid (ZA) and clodronate (CA) in the treatment of bone metastases for prostate cancer patients. We conducted a prospective study in recruiting 137 prostate cancer patients with bone metastases from 2008 to 2010. All men were well responding to first-line hormone therapy (PSA < 2 ng/mL); Patients were randomly assigned to receive zoledronic acid (4 mg over a 30 min infusion) every 1 month or to take 4 tablets per day of clodronate (1,600 mg) for up to 3 years. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at femoral neck, lumbar spine, and total hip, together with visual analog scale score were evaluated on baseline and 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. Toxicity and skeletal-related events (SREs) happened in both groups during this period were recorded down and compared. The ZA group had better bone progression-free survival (BPFS) (31 months vs 22 months, P = 0.04), but no statistical evidence of benefit was observed in terms of overall survival rate. The ZA group significantly increased lumbar spine BMD (4.5 ± 2.3 % vs CA group 2.3 ± 3.9 % P = 0.03), had a better response on pain-relieve effect (92 vs 76 % P = 0.002) and a rapid pain palliation (9 months vs 13 months P = 0.03). The CA group reported more gastrointestinal cases. However, the ZA group required more dose modifications. As compared to clodronate, Zoledronic acid has advantages on extending BPFS, better bone pain control and lumbar spine BMD performance for prostate cancer patients with bone metastases. The overall survival rate and SREs rate are similar.

Expression and clinical significance of von Hippel-Lindau downstream genes: Jade-1 and ß-catenin related to renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of Jade-1 and ß-catenin and their effect in the development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: The expression of Jade-1 and ß-catenin in 11 normal kidney tissue specimens (normal group) and 60 RCC specimens (RCC group) was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Also, their effect on early relapses of RCC was analyzed after 5 years of follow-up. RESULTS: The expression of Jade-1 protein in the RCC group was significantly lower than that in the normal group (0.1655 vs 0.7438, P < .05), and the expression of ß-catenin protein was significantly greater than that in the normal group (0.2756 vs 0.0855, P < .05). The expression of Jade-1 mRNA in the RCC group was 0.202 times that in the normal group, which were lower (P < .05). The expression of ß-catenin mRNA was 1.014 times that in the normal group (P > .05). The expression of Jade-1 protein and ß-catenin protein in poorly differentiated RCC specimens was significantly lower and higher than the expression in the well-differentiated RCC specimen (P < .05), respectively. Patients with negative Jade-1 expression and positive ß-catenin expression were found to have shorter survival on univariate analysis (P < .05). CONCLUSION: RCC with a low expression of Jade-1 and high expression of ß-catenin is associated with a poor outcome and decreased survival.

[Effects of sildenafil on bladder compliance and endothelin-1 in rabbit model of partial bladder outlet obstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of sildenafil on bladder compliance and endothelin-1 in the rabbit model of partial bladder outlet obstruction. METHODS: A total of 24 adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into group A, group B, group C and group D (n = 6 each). The rabbit model of partial bladder outlet obstruction was established in groups C and D while groups A and B underwent a sham operation. Daily sildenafil (10 mg/kg) was dosed to groups B and C by lavage. Daily normal saline was dosed similarly to groups A and D. Bladder urodynamic examinations were conducted in each group at Week 16. Then bladder was isolated and weighed from each group. And ET-1 in bladder tissue was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Pressure thresholds for voiding (PT) in A-D groups were (10.6 ± 2.0), (11.6 ± 2.7), (14.0 ± 4.2) and (20.4 ± 6.1) cm H2O respectively. Compared with groups A, B and C, PT in group D was significantly higher (all P < 0.01). Bladder compliance in 4 groups were (2.75 ± 0.51), (2.78 ± 0.46), (4.98 ± 2.15) and (1.22 ± 0.25) ml/cm H2O respectively. Compared with groups A, B and C, bladder compliance was significantly lower in group D (all P < 0.01). Bladder compliance in group C was higher than that in groups A and B (both P < 0.01). The weights of bladder specimens in 4 groups were (5.0 ± 0.4), (4.6 ± 0.4), (8.2 ± 1.3) and (17.9 ± 2.3) g respectively. Compared with groups A and B, the weights of groups C and D were significantly heavier (all P < 0.01). And the weight of group D was much greater than that of group C (P < 0.01). The contents of ET-1 in bladder tissue of 4 groups were (72 ± 19), (69 ± 18), (76 ± 21) and (106 ± 29) pg/g respectively. Compared with groups A, B and C, ET-1 in bladder tissue was significantly higher in group D (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Daily sildenafil can effectively alleviate the damage of rabbit bladder compliance from partial bladder outlet obstruction and protect bladder functions. Its mechanism may be related with the down-regulation of ET-1 in bladder tissue of partial bladder outlet obstruction.

[High ligation of the spermatic vein and sperm DNA fragmentation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of high ligation of the spermatic vein (HLSV) on DNA fragmentation in varicocele (VC) patients. METHODS: Thirty-four VC patients underwent HLSV. Sperm motion indexes and the results of papanicolaou staining and DNA fragmentation detection were analyzed before and 3 months after the operation according to the WHO guidelines. RESULTS: Compared with pre-operation, HLSV achieved a significant increase in the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (P < 0.01), and remarkable decreases in DNA fragmentation, sperm deformity index (SDI) and multiple anomalies index (MAI) (P < 0.01). The patients also showed significant increases in sperm concentration and the percentages of grade b sperm (P < 0.05) and grade a and a + b sperm (P < 0.01) after the operation. The post-operative percentages of sperm DNA fragmentation in those with grades I - III VC were markedly lower (P < 0.01), but showed no significant difference from that in those with subclinical VC (P > 0.05). The percentage of big-halo sperm was significantly increased (P < 0.01), while those of the medium-, small- and non-halo sperm remarkably decreased (P < 0.01) after HLSV. CONCLUSION: HLSV can effectively improve the sperm quality of VC patients.