Colloidal PbS Quantum Dot Photodiode Imager with Suppressed Dark Current.

Lead sulfide (PbS) colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) for photodetectors (PDs) have garnered great attention due to their potential use as low-cost, high-performance, and large-area infrared focal plane arrays. The prevailing device architecture employed for PbS CQD PDs is the p-i-n structure, where PbS CQD films treated with thiol molecules, such as 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT), are widely used as p-type layers due to their favorable band alignment. However, PbS-EDT films face a critical challenge associated with low film quality, resulting in many defects that curtail the device performance. Herein, a controlled oxidization process is developed for better surface passivation of the PbS-EDT transport layer. The dark current density (Jd) of PbS CQD PDs based on optimized PbS-EDT layer shows a dramatic decrease by nearly 2 orders of magnitude. The increase of carrier lifetime and suppression of carrier recombination via controlled oxidation in PbS-EDT CQDs were confirmed by transient absorption spectra and electrochemical impedance spectra. The device based on the optimized PbS-EDT hole transport layer (HTL) exhibits a specific detectivity (D*) that is 3.4 times higher compared to the control device. Finally, the CQD PD employing oxidization PbS-EDT CQDs is integrated with a thin film transistor (TFT) readout circuit, which successfully accomplishes material discrimination imaging, material occlusion imaging, and smoke penetration imaging. The controlled oxidization strategy verifies the significance of surface management of CQD solids and is expected to help advance infrared optoelectronic applications based on CQDs.

Porcine deltacoronavirus E protein induces interleukin-8 production via NF-κB and AP-1 activation.

Infection induces the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Although they facilitate local antiviral immunity, their excessive release leads to life-threatening cytokine release syndrome, exemplified by the severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In the present study, we found that interleukin-8 (IL-8) was upregulated by PDCoV infection. We then demonstrated that PDCoV E protein induced IL-8 production and that the TM domain and the C-terminal domain of the E protein were important for IL-8 production. Subsequently, we showed here that deleting the AP-1 and NF-κB binding motif in porcine IL-8 promoter abrogated its activation, suggesting that IL-8 expression was dependent on AP-1 and NF-κB. Furthermore, PDCoV E induced IL-8 production, which was also dependent on the NF-κB pathway through activating nuclear factor p65 phosphorylation and NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IκBα) protein phosphorylation, as well as inducing the nuclear translocation of p65, eventually resulting in the promotion of IL-8 production. PDCoV E also activated c-fos and c-jun, both of which are members of the AP-1 family. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of PDCoV-induced IL-8 production and help us further understand the pathogenesis of PDCoV infection.

Cation-Exchange Enables In Situ Preparation of PbSe Quantum Dot Ink for High Performance Solar Cells.

Lead selenide (PbSe) colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are promising candidates for optoelectronic applications. To date, PbSe CQDs capped by halide ligands exhibit improved stability and solar cells using these CQDs as active layers have reported a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 10%. However, PbSe CQDs are more prone to oxidation, requiring delicate control over their processability and compromising their applications. Herein, an efficient strategy that addresses this issue by an in situ cation-exchange process is reported. This is achieved by a two-phase ligand exchange process where PbI2 serves as both a passivating ligand and cation-source inducing transformation of CdSe to PbSe. The defect density and carrier lifetime of PbSe CQD films are improved to 1.05 × 1016  cm-3 and 12.2 ns, whereas the traditional PbSe CQD films possess 1.9 × 1016  cm-3 defect density and 10.2 ns carrier lifetime. These improvements are translated into an enhancement of photovoltaic performance of PbSe solar cells, with a PCE of up to 11.6%, ≈10% higher than the previous record. Notably, the approach enables greatly improved stability and a two-month stability is successfully demonstrated. This strategy is expected to promote the fast development of PbSe CQD applications in low-cost and high-performance optoelectronic devices.

Stromal Antigen 2 Deficiency Induces Interferon Responses and Restricts Porcine Deltacoronavirus Infection.

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a recently discovered enteropathogenic coronavirus and has caused significant economic impacts on the pork industry. Although studies have partly uncovered the molecular mechanism of PDCoV-host interaction, it requires further research. In this study, we explored the roles of Stromal Antigen 2 (STAG2) in PDCoV infection. We found that STAG2-deficient cells inhibited infection with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and PDCoV, whereas restoration of STAG2 expression in STAG2-depleted (STAG2-/-) IPEC-J2 cells line restored PDCoV infection, suggesting that STAG2 is involved in the PDCoV replication. Furthermore, we found that STAG2 deficiency results in robust interferon (IFN) expression. Subsequently, we found that STAG2 deficiency results in the activation of JAK-STAT signaling and the expression of IFN stimulated gene (ISG), which establish an antiviral state. Taken together, the depletion of STAG2 activates the JAK-STAT signaling and induces the expression of ISG, thereby inhibiting PDCoV replication. Our study provides new insights and potential therapeutic targets for unraveling the mechanism of PDCoV replication.

Innate Immune Evasion of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus through Degradation of the FBXW7 Protein via the Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) causes a porcine disease associated with swine epidemic diarrhea. Different antagonistic strategies have been identified, and the mechanism by which PEDV infection impairs the production of interferon (IFN) and delays the activation of the IFN response to escape host innate immunity has been determined, but the pathogenic mechanisms of PEDV infection remain enigmatic. Our preliminary results revealed that endogenous F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBXW7) protein, the substrate recognition component of the SCF-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, is downregulated in PEDV-infected Vero E6 cells, according to the results from an isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) analysis. Overexpression of FBXW7 in target cells makes them more resistant to PEDV infection, whereas ablation of FBXW7 expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly promotes PEDV infection. In addition, FBXW7 was verified as an innate antiviral factor capable of enhancing the expression of RIG-I and TBK1, and it was found to induce interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), which led to an elevated antiviral state of the host cells. Moreover, we revealed that PEDV nonstructural protein 2 (nsp2) interacts with FBXW7 and targets FBXW7 for degradation through the K48-linked ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Consistent with the results proven in vitro, FBXW7 reduction was also confirmed in different intestinal tissues from PEDV-infected specific-pathogen-free (SPF) pigs. Taken together, the data indicated that PEDV has evolved with a distinct antagonistic strategy to circumvent the host antiviral response by targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation of FBXW7. Our findings provide novel insights into PEDV infection and pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE To counteract the host antiviral defenses, most viruses, including coronaviruses, have evolved with diverse strategies to dampen host IFN-mediated antiviral response, by interfering with or evading specific host regulators at multiple steps of this response. In this study, a novel antagonistic strategy was revealed showing that PEDV infection could circumvent the host innate response by targeted degradation of endogenous FBXW7 in target cells, a process that was verified to be a positive modulator for the host innate immune system. Degradation of FBXW7 hampers host innate antiviral activation and facilitates PEDV replication. Our findings reveal a new mechanism exploited by PEDV to suppress the host antiviral response.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus nsp15 Antagonizes Interferon Signaling by RNA Degradation of TBK1 and IRF3.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) causes a porcine disease associated with swine epidemic diarrhea. The type I interferon (IFN-I or IFN α/ß) is a key mediator of innate antiviral response during virus infection. Different antagonistic strategies have been identified and determined as to how PEDV infection inhibits the host's IFN responses to escape the host innate immune pathway, but the pathogenic mechanisms of PEDV infection are not fully elucidated. Our preliminary results revealed that endogenous TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), the key components in the IFN signaling pathway were downregulated in PEDV infected IPEC-J2 cells by iTRAQ analysis. In this study, we screened nsp15 as the most important viral encoded protein involved in TBK1 and IRF3 reduction. Endoribonuclease (EndoU) activity has been well determined for coronavirus nsp15. Three residues (H226, H241, and K282) of PEDV nsp15 were identified as critical amino acids for PEDV EndoU but not D265, which was not well correlated with published results of other coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV). Moreover, PEDV nsp15 can directly degrade the RNA levels of TBK1 and IRF3 dependent on its EndoU activity to suppress IFN production and constrain the induction of IFN stimulated genes (ISGs), by which PEDV antagonizes the host innate response to facilitate its replication. Collectively, these results have confirmed that PEDV nsp15 was capable of subverting the IFN response by the RNA degradation of TBK1 and IRF3.

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks as reservoir and vector of 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos' in China.

'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos' is an emerging pathogen in the genus Mycoplasma. The Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus tick has been suspected to be the vector of 'C. M. haemobos'. To determine the role of R. (B.) microplus in transmission of 'C. M. haemobos', we tested the competence of R. (B.) microplus larvae to acquire 'C. M. haemobos' from positive female ticks and to serve as a 'C. M. haemobos' vector in mice. Using PCR and sequencing, we also analyzed the epidemic strains of 'C. M. haemobos' among R. (B.) microplus ticks collected from goats and sheep in southern Henan Province, central China. Our results identified three epidemic strains of 'C. M. haemobos', and the positive female ticks naturally infected could pass 'C. M. haemobos' at egg and larval stages. Furthermore, 'C. M. haemobos' infected larvae could transmit the pathogens to mice during feeding, and the negative larvae could acquire 'C. M. haemobos' from infected mice. Our study shows that R. (B.) microplus ticks could serve as a vector and reservoir of 'C. M. haemobos'.

The Relationships between Process Parameters and Polymeric Nanofibers Fabricated Using a Modified Coaxial Electrospinning.

The concrete relationship between the process parameters and nanoproduct properties is an important challenge for applying nanotechnology to produce functional nanomaterials. In this study, the relationships between series of process parameters and the medicated nanofibers' diameter were investigated. With an electrospinnable solution of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and ketoprofen as the core fluid, four kinds of nanofibers were prepared with ethanol as a sheath fluid and under the variable applied voltages. Based on these nanofibers, a series of relationships between the process parameters and the nanofibers' diameters (D) were disclosed, such as with the height of the Taylor cone (H, D = 125 + 363H), with the angle of the Taylor cone (ɑ, D = 1576 - 19ɑ), with the length of the straight fluid jet (L, D = 285 + 209L), and with the spreading angle of the instable region (θ, D = 2342 - 43θ). In vitro dissolution tests verified that the smaller the diameters, the faster ketoprofen (KET) was released from the HPMC nanofibers. These concrete process-property relationships should provide a way to achieve new knowledge about the electrostatic energy-fluid interactions, and to meanwhile improve researchers' capability to optimize the coaxial process conditions to achieve the desired nanoproducts.

Noninvasive ventilation for acute lung injury a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and standard oxygen therapy on treating acute lung injury (ALI). METHODS: A search on PubMed, Embase, Springer, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Clinical Trials was carried out up to Nov 2015 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with NIV as cases and standard oxygen therapy as controls. Risk ratios and weight mean difference were used for estimation. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included seventeen RCTs. Results showed NIV significantly reduced the intubation rate, length of ICU stay and hospital mortality. The length of hospital stay and ICU mortality were not different. High heterogeneity was found across the studies of intubation rate. The types of acute respiratory failure might be a source of heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that NIV is effective for ALI in reducing the intubation rate, hospital mortality and length of ICU stay than the standard oxygen therapy.

Identification of differentially expressed genes associated with burn sepsis using microarray.

The aim of the present study was to identify the potential target biomarkers associated with burn sepsis using microarray. GSE1781 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus and included a collective of three biological replicates for each of the three conditions: Sham­Sham, Sham­cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and Burn­CLP. Subsequently, limma was applied to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Additionally, functional annotations were predicted by pathway enrichment. Furthermore, the transcription factors were screened according to the transcriptional regulation from patterns to profiles database. Furthermore, the interaction associations of the proteins were obtained from the STRING database and the protein­protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using Cytoscape. Finally, the gene co­expression analysis was conducted using CoExpress. In total, compared with Sham­Sham, a total of 476 DEGs and 682 DEGs were obtained in Sham­CLP and Burn­CLP, respectively. Additionally, 230 DEGs were screened in Burn­CLP compared with Sham­CLP. Acadm, Ehhadh and Angptl4 were significantly enriched in the PPAR signaling pathway. Additionally, Gsta3, Gstm2 and Gstt1 in Burn­CLP were significantly enriched in glutathione metabolism. In the PPI network, the transcription factor Ppargc1a interacted with Angptl4, while Acadm interacted with Ehhadh. The gene co­expression analysis showed that Ehhadh could be co­expressed with Aqp8. In conclusion, Acadm, Ehhadh, Aqp8, Gsta3, Gstm2, Gstt1, Ppargc1a and Angptl4 may be potential target genes for the treatment of burn sepsis.

Identification of crucial genes in ventilator associated pneumonia through protein-protein interaction network.

PURPOSE: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is still an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. This research aimed to investigate the genes related to VAP and potential diagnosis targets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gene expression profiles data of GSE30385 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus, which included 10 samples of patients with VAP and 10 samples of patients without VAP. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between two types of patients were identified by limma package and the functions and pathways of DEGs were predicted by Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Next, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) pairs of all genes in the samples were obtained from STRING database. Then we searched genes related to VAP in NCBI, and constructed a PPI network of these genes. Subsequently, the overlapped genes between genes in the PPI network and DEGs were searched, followed by expression patterns analysis. Furthermore, genes in PPI network were subjected to function and pathway enrichment analysis, and transcription factors were screened on the basis of TRANSFAC database. RESULT: A total of 69 DEGs were screened between two types of patient samples, and 7 genes related to VAP were obtained. The overlapped genes (e.g. LTF, MAPK14) were enriched in MAPK cascade and immune system-related processes. In addition, MAPK14 was enriched in MAPK signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: The VAP-related genes (MAPK14 and LTF) might be the crucial genes in the pathogenesis of VAP, and be served as potential diagnostic targets.

Elevating circulation chemerin level is associated with endothelial dysfunction and early atherosclerotic changes in essential hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVES: Chemerin is a new adipokine elevated in states of obesity and metabolic syndromes. In this study, we investigated the association of increased chemerin on endothelial function, arterial stiffness and early atherosclerosis in essential hypertensive patients. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-seven newly diagnosed essential hypertensive patients were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements and plasma parameters were examined, including BMI, waist circumference, glucose, serum insulin, lipid profiles, chemerin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-4. Vascular health was assessed with brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). RESULTS: In hypertensive patients, plasma chemerin levels were higher in women than in men (P < 0.05). In univariate analysis, the plasma chemerin level was positively correlated with baPWV (men: r = 0.58, P < 0.01; women: r = 0.51, P < 0.01) and carotid IMT (men: r = 0.17, P = 0.01; women: r = 0.20, P = 0.01), and inversely correlated with FMD (men: r = -0.54, P < 0.01; women: r = -0.44, P < 0.01). The associations for FMD and baPWV, but not IMT, remained significant in multivariable models adjusted for age, sex, glucose homeostasis, lipid profiles, inflammation markers and adipokines. More importantly, logistic regression analysis revealed that high chemerin level was an independent predictor of impaired endothelial function (FMD odds ratio 1.58, 95% confidence interval 1.28-3.30, P = 0.03) and increased arterial stiffness (baPWV odds ratio 3.75, 95% confidence interval 1.36-5.28, P < 0.01), even after adjustment for metabolic variables, inflammatory markers and adipokines. CONCLUSION: Chemerin levels were independently associated with the index of arterial function and early atherosclerosis in essential hypertension.

Presence of anterior temporal artery associates with good outcome in acute atherosclerotic M1-middle cerebral artery occlusion.

INTRODUCTION: We aim to investigate the correlation between presence of anterior temporal artery (ATA), the first major branch of middle cerebral artery (MCA), on conventional angiography and clinical outcome in patients with acute atherosclerotic M1-MCA occlusion. METHODS: Consecutive patients with acute atherosclerotic M1-MCA occlusion from Nanjing Stroke Registry Program (NSRP) between January 2007 and December 2012 were included in this study. All patients underwent MRI followed by conventional angiography. From their data, we analyzed baseline characteristics, infarction patterns, DWI-ASPECTS, and collateral circulation. The correlation of ATA presence and good clinical outcome, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤ 2, at 3 months was also calculated. RESULTS: In 98 patients meeting entry criteria, the presence of ATA was found in 44 patients. Patients with ATA present were found to have less hypertension (p = 0.042), lower baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (p = 0.043), more small infarcts in perforating artery territory (p = 0.013), and a higher number of DWI-ASPECTS ≥ 7 (p = 0.034). Binary logistic regression analysis showed an adjusted odds ratio of 4.45 for a good outcome in patients with ATA presence (95% CI 1.52 to 13.03, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The presence of ATA can be used as a predictor of good outcome in patients with acute atherosclerotic M1-MCA occlusion.

Chemerin is associated with inflammatory markers and metabolic syndrome phenotypes in hypertension patients.

BACKGROUND: Chemerin is a new adipokine elevated in states of obesity and metabolic syndrome. In order to identify the role of chemerin in hypertension, we conducted a case--control study to evaluate the role of chemerin in hypertension. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-seven new-diagnosed essential hypertensive (EH) patients and one hundred and ten normotensive healthy subjects (NT) were enrolled. After an overnight fasting, participants underwent an oral glucose-tolerance test (OGTT). Anthropometric measurements and serum analyses were checked, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, glucose, chemerin, hs-CRP, TNF-α and IL-6. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, subjects with hypertension had significantly higher chemerin serum levels (p < 0.001). In hypertensive patients, chemerin level was significantly associated with metabolic characteristics including BMI, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose and insulin, OGTT 2-hour glucose, plasma triglycerides, plasma total cholesterol, HOMA-IR and markers of inflammation including hs-CRP, TNF-α and IL-6, independent of age and gender. Only gender, HOMA-IR, TNF-α and TG were independently related factors to plasma chemerin level after multiple regression analysis. In logistic regression analysis, high chemerin level was an independent predictor of the presence of hypertension (OR: 1.045, p < 0.001) when metabolic variables were adjusted for. However, the association was lost when further adjustment for inflammatory markers including hs-CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 (OR: 1.022, p = 0.289). CONCLUSIONS: Chemerin is strongly associated with markers of inflammation and components of the metabolic syndrome in hypertensive subjects and was independently associated with hypertension after adjustment for age, gender and metabolic risk factors.

Treating adrenal tumors in 26 patients with CyberKnife: a mono-institutional experience.

BACKGROUND: CyberKnife (CK) is a novel stereotactic radiosurgery system for treating tumors in any part of the body. It is a non-invasive or minimally invasive tumor treatment modality that can deliver high doses of spatially precise radiation and minimize exposure to neighboring healthy tissues or vital organs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of CK in the treatment of adrenal tumors. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 26 patients with adrenal tumors who had been treated with CK in the radiotherapy center of our hospital between March 2009 and March 2012. Eight patients had primary adrenal tumors and 18 patients had metastatic adrenal tumors. In addition to CK, 4 patients received chemotherapy and 2 patients received immunotherapy. The average tumor volume was 72.1 cm(3) and the prescribed radiation dosage ranged from 30 to 50 Gy and was fractionated 3 to 5 times with a 58% to 80% isodose line. Abdominal CT was performed between 1 to 3 months after the CK treatment to evaluate the short-term efficacy with follow-up examinations once every 3 months. Three patients had complete remission, 12 patients had partial remission, 5 patients had stable disease, and 6 patients had progressive illness. The effective rate of pain relief was 93.8% and the disease control rate was 77% with a median overall survival of 17 months and a median progression-free survival of 14 months. Treatment Related toxicity was well-tolerated, but preventative measure need to be taken for radiation enteritis. CONCLUSIONS: CK is safe and effective for treating adrenal tumors with few adverse reactions. Nonetheless, its long-term effects requires further follow-up.

Interaction between IGF-IR and ER induced by E2 and IGF-I.

Estrogen receptor (ER) is a nuclear receptor and the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptor (IGF-IR) is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor. Estrogen and IGF-I are known to have synergistic effects on the growth of breast cancer cells. Recently, non-nuclear effects of ER have been under investigation. To study the mechanism involved in this process, we have used MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines transfected with IGF-IR anti-sense cDNA (SX13, MCF-7(SX13)) that resulted in 50% reduction of IGF-IR. In MCF-7 cells, estradiol (E2) and IGF-I induced the rapid association of ER to IGF-IR, however, the interaction was abrogated in MCF-7(SX13) cells. In addition, NWTB3 cells (NIH3T3 cells overexpressing IGF-IR) were transiently transfected with ERα, the ER-IGF-IR interaction was induced by both E2 and IGF-I. Moreover, ERα regulated the IGF-I signaling pathways through phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt and the interaction of ER-IGF-IR potentiated the cell growth. Finally, E2 and IGF-I stimulated translocation of ER from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Taken together, these findings reveal that the interaction of the ER and IGF-IR is important for the non-genomic effects of ER.

[Protective effect of L-carnitine combined with sildenafil on the reproductive endocrine function of diabetic male rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of L-carnitine (LC) combined with sildenafil on the reproductive endocrine function of male rats with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: A total of 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, group A taken as normal controls, and groups B, C, D and E made into DM models by injection of streptozotocin at 65 mg/kg. Then the rats in groups A and B were treated with normal saline, C with sildenafil at 5 mg per kg per d, D with LC at 300 mg per kg per d, and E with sildenafil at 5 mg per kg per d plus LC at 300 mg per kg per d, all via gastric gavage for 6 weeks, followed by determination of the levels of testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the serum of the rats. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of treatment, the T, FSH and LH levels were (25.25 +/- 2.67) nmol/L, (5.78 +/- 0.61) IU/L and (625.21 +/- 43.45) ng/L in group A, (9.63 +/- 1.71) nmol/L, (1.98 +/- 0.42) IU/L and (479.89 +/- 27.62) ng/L in group B, (18.98 +/- 3.07) nmol/L, (5.08 +/- 0.33) IU/L and (586.57 +/- 31.72) ng/L in group C, (16.18 +/- 2.65) nmol/L, (4.63 +/- 0.30) IU/L and (540.78 +/- 25.52) ng/L in group D, and (23.65 +/- 2.66) nmol/L, (5.59 +/- 0.48) IU/L and (621.53 +/- 36. 40) ng/L in group E. The three parameters were significantly lower in B than in the other four groups (P < 0.01), and so were they in C and D than in A and E (P < 0.05), but showed no significant differences either between C and D (P > 0. 05) or between A and E (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Six-week medication of either sildenafil or LC alone could increase the levels of T, FSH and LH in the serum of DM rats, but the combination of the two had an even more obvious increasing effect, which indicates a still better protective effect on the reproductive endocrine function of diabetic male rats.

Association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with cognitive decline in very elderly men.

AIM: To determine the change in cognitive function in very elderly men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) over a 3-year period relative to age-and education-matched controls. METHODS: In this hospital-based, prospective case-control study, we evaluated a consecutive series of 110 very elderly men with COPD and 110 control subjects who were hospitalized between January and December 2007. All the subjects performed cognitive tests at baseline and underwent annual evaluations (for 3 years), which included the Mini-Mental State Examination, word list recall, delayed recall, animal category fluency, and the symbol digit modalities test. RESULTS: In mixed-effects models adjusted for hypertension and coronary heart disease, COPD was associated with a more rapid rate of cognitive decline based on the Mini-Mental State Examination, word list recall, delayed recall, animal category fluency, and the symbol digit modalities test (all p < 0.01) compared to controls. CONCLUSION: COPD is associated with a more rapid rate of cognitive decline in very elderly persons.