Circadian disturbance induces erectile dysfunction by impairing endothelial function.

ABSTRACT: In order to explore the impact of circadian disturbance on erectile function, we randomly divided 24 adult male rats into groups of control (light on at 8:00 a.m. and off at 8:00 p.m.), dark/dark (DD; constant dark), light/light (LL; constant light), and shift dark/light (DL; light off at 8:00 a.m. and on at 8:00 p.m.). Four weeks later, erectile function was measured and corpora cavernosa were harvested for analysis. The maximum intracavernous pressure (mICP) and mICP/mean arterial pressure (MAP) ratio in the DD, LL, and DL groups were significantly lower than that in the control group. The LL and DL groups showed significantly attenuated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), while DD, LL, and DL showed reduced neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) at both mRNA and protein levels. The production of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) was inhibited by altered light/dark cycles to varying degrees. Circadian disturbance impaired endothelial function and contributed to erectile dysfunction. For the core circadian elements, mRNA expression of circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (Clock) and brain/muscle aryl-hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein 1 (Bmal1) was elevated in the DL group, but their protein expression was not significantly changed. DD, LL, and DL increased period 1 (Per1) and Per3 levels, while LL and DL increased PER1 levels. No significant difference was found for Per2 levels, and PER2 and PER3 concentrations were not significantly changed. Moreover, LL and DL significantly increased cryptochrome-1 (CRY1) and CRY2 at both mRNA and protein levels. The altered light/dark rat model showed that circadian disturbance contributed to erectile dysfunction probably by impairing endothelial function. Meanwhile, the core circadian elements were detected in the corpora cavernosa, but these were disrupted. However, which circadian element regulates erectile function and how it works need further analysis.

Structure bionic topology design method based on biological unit cell.

The mechanical structure topology design based on substructure always adopts the traditional substructure design method, which often comes from the experience and is limited by the inherent or stereotyped design thinking. A substructure design method based on biological unit cell (UC) is proposed, which draws inspiration from the biological efficient load-bearing topology structure. Especially, the thought of the formalized problem-solving of extension matter-element is introduced. Through the matter-element definition of UC substructure, the process model for the structure bionic topology design method based on biological UC is formed, which avoids the random or wild mental stimulation of the structure topology design method based on traditional substructure. In particular, in this proposed method, aiming at the problem about how to achieve the integration of high-efficiency load-bearing advantage of different organisms, furthermore, a biological UC hybridization method based on the principle of inventive problem solving theory (TRIZ) is proposed. The typical case is used to illustrate the process of this method in detail. The results from simulations and experiments both show that: the load-bearing capacity of structure design based on biology UC is improved than the initial design; on this basis, the load-bearing capacity of structure design is improved further through UC hybridization. All these show the feasibility and correctness of the proposed method.

Hepatoprotective lignans and triterpenoids from the roots of Kadsura longipedunculata.

Two new tetrahydrobenzocyclooctabenzofuranone lignans (1-2), a new dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan (3) and three new schiartane-type triterpenoids (4-6), together with six known compounds (7-12), were isolated from the roots of Kadsura longipedunculata. Their structures were elucidated by extensive NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic data analysis. The absolute configurations of these compounds were determined by comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Compound 12 exhibited moderate hepatoprotective activity against N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP)-induced toxicity in HepG2 cells with cell survival rates of 53.04%.

Clinical features of 10 cases of eyelid sporotrichosis in Jilin Province (Northeast China).

OBJECTIVE: Sporotrichosis is a common subcutaneous mycosis caused by an infection with dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii. We present a series of patients with eyelid sporotrichosis and study the clinical and histopathological presentation, microbiology, treatment options, and outcome. METHODS: A retrospective case-series study of patients with a clinical diagnosis of eyelid sporotrichosis. Records were examined to obtain information regarding patient demographics, presenting symptoms and signs, histopathological examination, microbiology, management, and outcomes. RESULTS: Ten patients (4 men, 6 women; mean age 46.5 years, range 3-81 years) were included. Based on their clinical manifestations, eyelid sporotrichosis was classified into 3 major forms: (i) fixed cutaneous (6/10 cases), (ii) lymphocutaneous (3/10 cases), and (iii) eyelid abscess (1/10 cases). All the cases were treated with a terbinafine 12-week regimen. Nodules, papules, and abscesses regressed after treatment. No recurrence was discovered after a 12-week follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Eyelid sporotrichosis has typical features of clinical manifestations. Histopathological examination and tissue culture are helpful for diagnosis. Confirmed cases normally require long-term systematic treatment with antifungal agents, but surgical removal is normally unnecessary.