Instant ghost imaging: algorithm and on-chip implementation.

Ghost imaging (GI) is an imaging technique that uses the correlation between two light beams to reconstruct the image of an object. Conventional GI algorithms require large memory space to store the measured data and perform complicated offline calculations, limiting practical applications of GI. Here we develop an instant ghost imaging (IGI) technique with a differential algorithm and an implemented high-speed on-chip IGI hardware system. This algorithm uses the signal between consecutive temporal measurements to reduce the memory requirements without degradation of image quality compared with conventional GI algorithms. The on-chip IGI system can immediately reconstruct the image once the measurement finishes; there is no need to rely on post-processing or offline reconstruction. This system can be developed into a realtime imaging system. These features make IGI a faster, cheaper, and more compact alternative to a conventional GI system and make it viable for practical applications of GI.

[Blood biochemical indexes in ED patients with kidney deficiency or non-kidney deficiency: A comparative analysis of 156 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the blood biochemical characteristics of the ED patients with different types of kidney deficiency or non-kidney deficiency. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data on 156 ED patients treated in our Department of Andrology from May to July 2018 and, according to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes, divided them into four groups: kidney-yang deficiency (n = 48), kidney-yin deficiency (n = 34), kidney-yin+yang deficiency (n = 36) and non-kidney deficiency control (n = 38). We obtained and compared their blood biochemical indexes, including the levels of testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), cortisol (CORT), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), nitric oxide (NO), total nitric oxide synthase (tNOS), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the mean age, course of disease, IIEF-5 score and erection hardness score (EHS) among the four groups of patients. Pairwise comparison showed that, compared with the non-kidney deficiency controls, the patients in the kidney-yin deficiency group exhibited a dramatically higher level of CORT (ï¼»87.97 ± 45.59ï¼½ vs ï¼»121.78 ± 41.87ï¼½ µg/L, P = 0.002) and those in the kidney-yang deficiency group a remarkably lower level of FT3 (ï¼»5.44 ± 0.38ï¼½ vs ï¼»5.11 ± 0.54ï¼½ pmol/L, P = 0.008). The iNOS level was significantly higher in the kidney-yin deficiency group (14.42 ± 2.49 U/ml) than in either the control (12.71 ± 2.58 U/ml) (P = 0.039) or the kidney-yang deficiency group (13.05 ± 2.17 U/ml) (P =0.049). CONCLUSIONS: ED patients with different types of kidney deficiency syndromes have different blood biochemical indexes, which may help clarify the biological basis of the TCM syndromes of kidney deficiency in ED patients.

[Factors influencing recovery from childhood inguinal herniorrhaphy-induced vas deferens obstruction after microscopic vasovasostomy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors influencing the recovery from childhood inguinal herniorrhaphy (IH)-induced vas deferens obstruction following microscopic vasovasostomy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 41 cases of microscopic vasovasostomy for obstructive azoospermia in our hospital from July 2015 to September 2018. All the patients had a history of inguinal hernia treated by IH in the childhood. We performed scrotal ultrasonography, semen analysis and seminal plasma biochemistry to confirm vas deferens obstruction preoperatively. If sperm was observed for ≥2 times in semen examination after vasovasostomy, we considered the vas deferens successfully unobstructed. RESULTS: Microscopic vasovasostomy was successfully completed in 39 of the cases, of which2 were lost to follow-up, with a follow-up rate of 94.8% (37/39). The patients, at the mean age of (25.54 ± 2.85) years and with body mass index (BMI) of (24.92 ± 2.79) kg/m2 and post-IH time of (18.97 ± 2.58) years, were followed up for (13.05 ± 3.74) months. Successful recovery from vas deferens obstruction was observed in 78.4% (29/37) of the patients after IH, 80.0% (16/20) in the < 26-year-olds, 76.5% (13/17) in the ≥26-year-olds (P = 0.795), 75.0% (12/16) in those with BMI < 24.92 kg/m2 , 81.0% (17/21) in those with BMI ≥24.92 kg/m2 (P = 0.807), 78.6% (11/14) in those with post-IH time of < 19 years, 18.3% (18/23) in those with post-IH time of ≥19 years (P = 0.982), 60.0% (12/20) in those with sperm and 82.4% (14/17) in those without sperm found intraoperatively (P = 0.428), 42.9% (3/7) in those treated by unilateral and 82.4% (26/30) in those by bilateral vasovasostomy (P = 0.027). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a close correlation between the operation side and postoperative recovery from vas deferens obstruction (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: For male patients undergoing microscopic vasovasostomy for childhood IH-induced vas deferens obstruction, the operation side is an independent factor influencing postoperative recovery, while age, BMI, post-IH time, and intraoperative presence or absence of sperm are not significantly correlated with it.

[Correlation of male libido with the levels of serum reproductive hormones].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between male libido and the levels of serum reproductive hormones. METHODS: We collected the clinical data on 134 men complaining of low or decreased sexual desire at our clinic of andrology from January 2013 to July 2018. According to the scores on the 13-item Self-Rating Libido Scale for Males (SRLS-M), we divided the subjects into a low libido (n = 68) and a normal libido group (n = 66), none with thyroid and adrenal diseases, liver and kidney diseases, or administration of drugs affecting sexual function and reproductive hormones in the past two weeks. We compared the age, history and course of disease, SRLS-M scores, levels of serum T, E2, LH, FSH and PRL, and T/E2 ratio between the two groups, and analyzed the correlation of the parameters obtained with the SRLS-M scores of the patients by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the males of the normal libido group, the low-libido patients showed a significantly longer course of disease (ï¼»1.83 ± 0.44ï¼½ vs ï¼»2.91 ± 0.08ï¼½ yr, P < 0.05), but lower SRLS-M score (31.47 ± 1.28 vs 19.56 ± 0.89, P < 0.01), T level (ï¼»17.51 ± 3.68ï¼½ vs ï¼»11.46 ± 1.62ï¼½ nmol/L, P < 0.01) and T/E2 ratio (17.27 ± 3.94 vs 12.42 ± 1.38, P < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were found between the normal and low libido groups in age (ï¼»32.22 ± 2.29ï¼½ vs ï¼»31.98 ± 2.19ï¼½ yr) or the levels of E2 (ï¼»103.97 ± 15.70ï¼½ vs ï¼»94.45 ± 10.37ï¼½ pmol/L), FSH (ï¼»9.98 ± 5.26ï¼½ vs ï¼»7.43 ± 3.84ï¼½ IU/L), LH (ï¼»5.70 ± 3.17ï¼½ vs ï¼»5.20 ± 3.37ï¼½ IU/L), or PRL (ï¼»281.96 ± 82.68ï¼½ vs ï¼»371.85 ± 243.38ï¼½ mIU/L). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the SRLS-M scores of the patients in the normal and low libido groups were positively correlated with the T level (r = 0.329 and 0.535, P<0.01) and T/E2 ratio (r = 0.542 and 0.603, P<0.01), and so was the T level with E2 (r = 0.743 and 0.644, P<0.01) and T/E2 (r = 0.387 and 0.618, P<0.01). The areas under the ROC curves for T, E2 and T/E2 were 0.660, 0.527 and 0.669, respectively. A T/E2 ratio of 12.15－15.73 exhibited a relatively high sensitivity (>0.5) and specificity (>0.5) in the diagnosis of low libido. CONCLUSIONS: The T level and T/E2 ratio are important factors, and E2 may also be a factor, influencing male libido, which, however, is more correlated with T/E2. A T/E2 ratio of 12.15－15.73 may be an indicator of normal libido, while a lower or higher T/E2 ratio may suggests low libido.

[Efficacy and safety of regular use of sildenafil in the treatment of penile erectile dysfunction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of regular oral use of sildenafil in the treatment of ED. METHODS: We randomly divided 334 ED patients into three groups to be treated orally with sildenafil tablets at 50 mg qd (sildenafil regular), sildenafil tablets at 100 mg 30 minutes before intercourse (sildenafil on-demand), and tadalafil tablets at 10 mg qd (tadalafil regular), all for 3 months. Then we recorded the IIEF-5 score and penile erection hardness score (EHS) and adverse reactions and compared them among the three groups of patients. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups of patients in age, body mass index, education, ED duration, or baseline IIEF-5 and EHS (P > 0.05). After 3-month medication, both IIEF-5 score and EHS were significantly improved in the three groups of patients as compared with the baseline (P < 0.05), with no statistically significant difference in the IIEF-5 score among the sildenafil regular, sildenafil on-demand and tadalafil regular groups (15.15 ± 2.05 vs 15.55 ± 2.36 vs 15.54 ± 2.27, P > 0.05), but the EHS markedly higher in the sildenafil on-demand than in the sildenafil regular group (3.48 ± 1.80 vs 3.12 ± 1.52, P < 0.05). The effectiveness rates in the sildenafil regular, sildenafil on-demand and tadalafil regular groups were 76.2%, 62.4% and 80.8%, respectively, significantly lower in the sildenafil on-demand than in the other two groups (P < 0.05). Adverse reactions were mild and showed no statistically significant difference in the incidence rate among the three groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Regular use of sildenafil has a therapeutic effect similar to that of tadalafil but better than that of sildenafil on-demand, without more adverse effects.

[Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy for the treatment of vesiculitis with hemospermia:A report of 64 cases].

Objective: To explore the treatment of vesiculitis with hemospermia by transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy. Methods: We treated 64 cases of vesiculitis with hemospermia by transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy. During the operation,we removed the stones and inflammatory substances and collected seminal vesicle fluid to be cultured for bacteria,ureaplasma urealyticum(UU),chlamydia trachomatis(CT),and mycoplasma hominis(MH),followed by infusion of levofloxacin at 0. 3 g/100 ml into the seminal vesicle. Regular follow-up was conducted post-operatively. Results: All the operations were successfully accomplished, the operation time averaging(40 ± 15) min(25- 50 min). The ejaculatory duct opening was observed on the verumontanum surface in the posterior urethra in 2 cases, abnormal passages found in the prostatic utricle in 8 cases, and seminal vesicle fenestration from the prostatic utricle conducted in the other 54 cases(32 by seminal vesiculoscopy and 22 with holmium laser). Stones were seen in the prostatic utricle in 5 cases, in the seminal vesicle in 6 cases, and in both the prostatic utricle and seminal vesicle in 2 cases. Culture of the seminal vesicle fluid showed the acinetobacter to be positive in 1 case and UU, CT, and MH to be negative. At 3 months after surgery, hemospermia was cured in 52 cases, relieved in 8,and unimproved in 4. Conclusion: Seminal vesicle fenestration drainage by transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy for the treatment of vesiculitis with hemospermia has the advantages of short operation time, high effectiveness and no obvious complications and can also be employed for the examination of the seminal vesicle as well as removal of stones and inflammatory substances.

Safety and efficacy of a novel plastic stent coated with stone-dissolving agents for the treatment of biliary stones in a porcine model.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: We previously reported on a plastic stent that was coated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and sodium cholate, which dissolved common bile duct (CBD) stones ex vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of such stents on biliary stones in a live porcine model. METHODS: Stents without coating or with degradable membranes containing 0 % or 50 % EDTA and sodium cholate were inserted together with human CBD stones into the porcine CBD. Serum laboratory variables, histological examinations of the bile duct, and the weight change in stones were compared during and after stent placement for 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 16 pigs were included (5 no coating, 5 0 % coating, 6 50 % coating). Biliary stones showed decreased weight in all groups; however, stones in the group with 50 % coated stents showed a greater reduction in weight compared with the no coating and the 0 % coating groups (269 ±â€Š66 mg vs. 179 ±â€Š51 mg [P = 0.09]; 269 ±â€Š66 mg vs. 156 ±â€Š26 mg [P = 0.01], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The plastic stent coated with 50 % agent enhanced CBD stone dissolution in vivo and may be a promising tool for patients with difficult biliary stones.

The effect of a novel drug-eluting plastic stent on biliary stone dissolution in an ex vivo bile perfusion model.

BACKGROUND: Temporary plastic stent insertion has been considered a safe and effective bridge therapy for difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones. Infusing chemicals to directly dissolve stones through the bile duct might also be effective. However, there are no studies on the efficacy of the combination of these 2 approaches. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of a novel ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and sodium cholate-eluting plastic stent on biliary stones. DESIGN: Ex vivo model by using different doses of active ingredient. SETTING AND INTERVENTIONS: An ex vivo bile duct model perfused with porcine bile was created. Stents coated with degradable membranes containing various concentrations of EDTA and sodium cholate were placed in the model with CBD stones. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The change in the weight of stents and stones was measured every week during perfusion until the coated membranes were completely biodegraded. RESULTS: The time that the stents required to be fully degraded and the efficiency of stone dissolution were positively correlated with the percentage of EDTA and sodium cholate in the stent membrane. However, the 50% EDTA and sodium cholate stents achieved the greatest percentage of stone weight loss when the drugs were completely released. LIMITATIONS: Ex vivo study. CONCLUSIONS: The EDTA and sodium cholate-eluting plastic stent effectively dissolved CBD stones and has prospect in the therapy for patients with difficult CBD stones.

[Application of gene knockout technology in spermatogenesis-associated gene study].

The gene approach to the pathogenesis of male infertility may bring about some strategies for the diagnosis and manage of the condition. Gene knockout technology is the mainstream method currently used in the study of gene function. Screening and identification of testis-specific genes and insights into their features and functions in spermatogenesis are significant for a further understanding of testicular functions and searching for new therapeutic targets for male reproductive disorders. This review focuses on the application of gene knockout technology in the study of spermatogenesis-associated genes.

Combined traditional Chinese medicine therapy for the treatment of infertility with polycystic ovary syndrome: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) infertility has attracted great attention from researchers due to its high incidence. Numerous studies have shown that Chinese medicine is effective in treating this disease, but there is a wide variety of Chinese medicine therapies available, and there is a lack of comparative evaluation of the efficacy of various Chinese medicine combination therapies in the clinic, which requires further in-depth exploration. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a combined traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS using network meta-analysis (NMA). METHODS: In PubMed, web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang Data, VIP Database, China Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed) databases, searchs were conducted for information about the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of combined TCM therapy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS. Quality evaluation was performed using the Cochrane 5.3 risk of bias assessment tool, and NMA using Stata 16.0. RESULTS: This study comprised 28 RCTs using 8 combined TCM therapies in total. The results of the NMA showed that moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, acupuncture + herbal, electroacupuncture + herbal, and acupoint application + herbal improved the clinical pregnancy rate better than acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy (P < .05). Additionally, ear point pressure + herbal enema + herbal, acupuncture and moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, and acupuncture + herbal improved the ovulation rate better than acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy (P < .05). Moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, and acupuncture + herbal are the 3 most effective therapies for improving the clinical pregnancy rate. Fire acupuncture + herbal, acupuncture + herbal, and ear point pressure + herbal enema + herbal are the 3 most effective therapies for improving the ovulation rate. CONCLUSION: The combined TCM therapy demonstrated better efficacy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS compared to acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy. However, the optimal treatment therapy varied depending on the outcome indicators. Further large sample, high-quality, and standardized RCTs are needed to verify these findings.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis in newly diagnosed patients with ketosis-onset diabetes: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The features of carotid atherosclerosis in ketosis-onset diabetes have not been investigated. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis in newly diagnosed Chinese diabetic patients with ketosis but without islet-associated autoantibodies. METHODS: In total, 423 newly diagnosed Chinese patients with diabetes including 208 ketosis-onset diabetics without islet-associated autoantibodies, 215 non-ketotic type 2 diabetics and 79 control subjects without diabetes were studied. Carotid atherosclerosis was defined as the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in any of the carotid vessel segments. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), carotid atherosclerotic plaque formation and stenosis were assessed and compared among the three groups based on Doppler ultrasound examination. The clinical features of carotid atherosclerotic lesions were analysed, and the risk factors associated with carotid atherosclerosis were evaluated using binary logistic regression in patients with diabetes. RESULTS: The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis was significantly higher in the ketosis-onset diabetic group (30.80%) than in the control group (15.2%, p=0.020) after adjusting for age- and sex-related differences, but no significant difference was observed in comparison to the non-ketotic diabetic group (35.8%, p=0.487). The mean CIMT of the ketosis-onset diabetics (0.70±0.20 mm) was markedly higher than that of the control subjects (0.57±0.08 mm, p<0.001), but no significant difference was found compared with the non-ketotic type 2 diabetics (0.73±0.19 mm, p=0.582) after controlling for differences in age and sex. In both the ketosis-onset and the non-ketotic diabetes, the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis was markedly increased with age (both p<0.001) after controlling for sex, but no sex difference was observed (p=0.479 and p=0.707, respectively) after controlling for age. In the ketosis-onset diabetics, the presence of carotid atherosclerosis was significantly associated with age, hypertension, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and mean CIMT. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and risk of carotid atherosclerosis were significantly higher in the ketosis-onset diabetics than in the control subjects but similar to that in the non-ketotic type 2 diabetics. The characteristics of carotid atherosclerotic lesions in the ketosis-onset diabetics resembled those in the non-ketotic type 2 diabetics. Our findings support the classification of ketosis-onset diabetes as a subtype of type 2 diabetes.

[Radiation-induced oxidative stress and claudin-11 mRNA expression in the testis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of claudin-11, a tight junction component of Sertoli cells, in spermatogenic dysfunction induced by oxidative stress in mice exposed to local radiation. METHODS: We randomly allocated 48 male Kunming mice to a blank control group (A) and three radiation groups (B, C and D) of equal number, the latter three exposed to local radiation of the lower abdomen with 2 Gy, 6 Gy and 10 Gy of 60Co-gamma-ray, respectively, to induce oxidative stress. Four weeks later, we killed the animals, obtained their body and testis weights, observed the histological changes of the testis by HE staining, measured the levels of serum FSH, testosterone and LH by ELISA, and determined the mRNA levels of claudin-11 and inhibin beta B in Sertoli cells by real time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: After exposure to 60Co-gamma-ray radiation, the testis weights were (129.4 +/- 10.81), (87.5 +/- 16.83) and (56.1 +/- 12.36) mg in groups B, C and D, significantly decreased as compared with (182.9 +/- 8.43) mg in group A (P < 0.05); the testis indexes were (3.39 +/- 0.57), (2.46 +/- 0.46) and (1.63 +/- 0.44) mg/g in groups B, C and D, remarkably lower than (4.28 +/- 0.31) mg/g in group A (P < 0.01). Histological analysis revealed obviously decreased diameters of seminiferous tubules, reduced seminiferous epithelia and disarranged spermatogenic cells in the three radiation groups. The tubule differentiation indexes (TDI) were markedly lower in groups B, C and D than in A (P < 0.01). The levels of serum FSH were (6.74 +/- 1.95), (8.41 +/- 2.44) and (10.93 +/- 3.16) IU/L in groups B, C and D, 1.9 times higher in D than in A. With increased dose of radiation, the mRNA levels of inhibin beta in the testis tissue were descended, while the transcription levels of claudin-11 elevated, significantly higher in groups C and D than in A (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Local radiation-induced testicular oxidative stress can decrease the mRNA level of inhibin beta , increase serum FSH, damage Sertoli cells and elevate the expression of claudin-11 in the testis tissue. Increased claudin-11 and serum FSH may delay the cyclical restitution of hemo-testicular barrier and reduce the number of meiotic spermatocytes in the seminiferous epithelium, which consequently leads to male infertility.

[Protective effects of puerarin on 60Co-gamma-induced acute injury of sertoli cells of testis in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effects of puerarin on 60Co-y-induced acute injury of sertoli cells of testis in mice and the mechanisms for its radiation protection. METHODS: Forty male Wistar mice were randomly divided into four groups, i. e., the normal group, the model group, the low dose puerarin group, and the high dose puerarin group, respectively, 10 in each. The lower abdomen and scrotal area of mice were irradiated with a single dose of 8 Gy 60Co-gamma ray for 517 s in the model and two puerarin groups. Twenty-four h after modeling, different concentrations of puerarin (at the daily dose of 230 and 450 mg/kg respectively) were given to mice in the low and high dose groups by gastrogavage, once daily for two successive weeks. Equal volume of physiological saline was given to mice in the normal group and the model group, once daily for two successive weeks. The morphology of the testicular tissues was observed. The levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and inhibin beta were determined by ELISA. The relative expressions of Inhibin beta mRNA in the testicular tissues were determined by Real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells were injured at different degrees in the model group. They were improved in the low and high dose puerarin groups, more obviously in the high dose puerarin group. Compared with the normal group, the level of serum FSH in the model group was significantly improved, while the serum level of Inhibin beta and the expression of Inhibin beta mRNA obviously decreased, showing statistical difference (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the levels of serum FSH, Inhibin beta, and the expression of Inhibin beta mRNA were significantly improved in the low and high dose puerarin groups (P<0.05), more obviously in the high dose puerarin group (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Chinese medicine monomer of puerarin had certain protective effects on 60Co-gamma-induced acute injury of Sertoli cells in mice.

Meta-Analysis of the Association Between Asthma and the Risk of Stroke.

Introduction: Asthma and stroke share many risk factors. Previous meta-analysis has indicated that asthma is associated with an increased risk of stroke. However, this study were limited by the small number of articles included and the lack of subgroup analyses of different stroke types and different populations. This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence systematically to investigate the impact of asthma on stroke. Methods: We searched Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science and EMBASE databases and manually identified eligible studies (inception dates to December 25, 2021) that analyzed the association between asthma and stroke. We conducted quality assessment to evaluate the risk of bias of studies and sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of results. Results: We included 8 cohort studies and 10 cross-sectional studies comprised 3,011,016 participants. We found patients with asthma had a higher risk of stroke than patients without asthma [relative risk (RR): 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-1.47]. Moreover, asthma significantly increased the risk of ischemic stroke (RR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.06-1.47) without increasing the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (RR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.87-1.34). Asthma increased the risk of stroke in both men (RR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.10-1.32) and women (RR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.12-1.48) with no significant difference between the sexes. We also found that patients with inactive asthma, child-onset asthma, or no smoking history did not have an increased risk of stroke. Conclusions: These results supported the finding that asthma could significantly increase the risk of stroke, but this impact was not consistent in different populations. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=290745, identifier: CRD42021290745.

Analyzing the Clinical Efficacy of a Type 5 Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor Combined With Ziyin Baihuo Granules in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction.

The study explored the clinical efficacy of a type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE5i) combined with Ziyin Baihuo granules in the treatment of patients suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) with yin deficiency and fire-hyperactivity syndrome. A total of 163 patients with erectile dysfunction were divided into observation and control groups. The observation group took tadalafil (Cialis) and Ziyin Baihuo granules orally, and the control group took only tadalafil orally, for 12 weeks. An additional 40 healthy people were selected as a normal group for comparison of the sex hormone levels before and after treatment of the participants in the erectile dysfunction group. After treatment, the symptoms of dry throat and tongue, tidal fever and night sweats, liking cold and avoiding heat, and waist pain showed significant improvement in the observation group (p < .05). Compared with before treatment, the clinical indexes of erectile function in the control group and the observation group were improved after treatment (p < .05). After treatment, Ziyin Baihuo granules combined with tadalafil restored the abnormal indexes of blood (p < .05) in the observation group. Our research shows that PDE5i combined with Ziyin Baihuo granules could effectively improve erectile function.

[Passive leg raising predicts volume responsiveness in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of passive leg raising (PLR) test in predicting volume responsiveness in severe sepsis and septic shock patients. METHODS: Thirty severe sepsis and septic shock patients in intensive care unit (ICU) of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital were prospectively observed from February 2009 to January 2010. The hemodynamics including stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were measured non invasively by ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) device in the supine position, during PLR and after volume expansion (VE), and invasive arterial blood pressure and central venous pressure (CVP) were monitored consecutively. Responders were defined by the appearance of an increase in SV (ΔSV) ≥ 15% after VE. The role of PLR for predicting volume responsiveness was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The CVP (cm H(2)O, 1 cm H(2)O=0.098 kPa) during PLR was increased compared with that at supine position in both responder group ( n =15) and non responder group ( n =15, 13.6 ± 6.6 vs. 12.1 ± 6.0, 11.9 ± 5.5 vs. 10.8 ± 5.2 , both P <0.01). ΔSV was higher in responder group than in non responder group during PLR [(16.6 ± 5.5)% vs. (3.8 ± 8.2)%, P=0.000].ΔSV during PLR was highly correlated to ΔSV after VE (r =0.681 , P =0.000).The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for PLR predicting volume responsiveness was 0.944 ± 0.039 ( P =0.000). The ΔSV>11% during PLR was found to predict volume responsiveness with a sensitivity of 86.7%, specificity of 93.3%, positive predictive value of 92.9% and negative predictive value of 87.5%. CONCLUSION: PLR can be used generally to predict volume responsiveness accurately in severe sepsis and septic shock patients, and it can be used to direct clinical practice.

Methionine as a methyl donor regulates caste differentiation in the European honey bee (Apis mellifera).

Nutrition contributes to honey bee caste differentiation, but the role of individual nutrients is still unclear. Most essential amino acid contents, except that of methionine (Met), are greater in royal jelly than worker jelly. After ∼3.5 d, the Met content in the latter was slightly greater than in the former. Met is the major raw material used in the synthesis of S-adenosyl-L-methionine, an active methyl donor for DNA methylation, which is an epigenetic driver of caste differentiation. Here, we tested whether Met regulates caste differentiation in honey bees by determining its effects on the caste development of bees receiving four diets: the basic, basic + 0.2% Met, basic + 0.2% Met + 20 mg/kg 5-azacytidine, and basic + 20 mg/kg 5-azacytidine. The presence of Met decreased the adult bee body length and the numbers of ovarioles, indicating that Met may direct the development of female larvae toward worker bees. The upregulated expression of SAMS, Dnmt1, and Dnmt3 caused by Met exposure in 4-d-old larvae indicated that the worker-inductive effects of Met may occur through the promotion of DNA methylation. We investigated the co-effects of Met and glucose on bee development, and found that the effects of an increased glucose level on the number of ovarioles and body length did not strengthen the worker-inductive effects caused by Met. Our results contribute to caste development theory and suggest that Met-as a methyl donor-plays a regulatory, but not decisive, role in caste differentiation.

Echocardiographic findings on congenital left ventricular diverticulum and aneurysm: two rare cases and literature review.

Congenital diverticulum and aneurysm are rare cardiac abnormalities. Given their very low incidence especially in adult patients and the few cases reported, the diagnosis might be ignored when the cardiac malformation is seen for the first time. This article presents two adult cases of congenital diverticulum and aneurysm, which were first detected by echocardiography. The relevant literature is reviewed.

[Chinese medicinal monomer and compound for 60Co-gamma-induced spermatogenic disturbance in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of the monomer and compound of the Chinese herbal drugs resveratrol, lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) and icariin on 60Co-gamma-induced spermatogenic disturbance in mice based on the theory of modern Chinese medicine. METHODS: A total of 105 male Kunming mice were randomly divided into seven groups, with 15 in each. Group A were normally raised and Groups B, C, D, E, F and G irradiated by 60Co-gamma 6 Gy followed by 60Co-gamma 4 Gy at the interval of 7 days. A week later, Groups C, D, E, F and G received intragastrically the suspension of resveratrol, resveratrol + LBP, resveratrol + icariin, resveratrol + LBP + icariin and resveratrol + LBP + icariin + L-carnitine, respectively, at the dose of 80 mg/(kg x d) for 60 days. The general condition, physical signs and body weight changes of the mice were recorded, and 24 hours after the intragastric medication, their testes were harvested to obtain the testicular weight and indexes, the levels of FSH, LH, T and E2 determined by ELISA, the T/E2 ratio calculated, and the histology of the testis tissues observed under the microscope. RESULTS: The testicular indexes of the mice were decreased by radiation-induced damage, but restored to some extent after intragastric medication, especially in Groups E, F and G. The levels of FSH, LH and T were obviously improved by LBP. The T level and testis weight were increased by Icariin. The level of T/E2 was elevated in Groups E, F and G. The best results were achieved in Group F, which exhibited almost complete recovery from reproductive endocrine disorder and spermatogenic damage. CONCLUSION: The Chinese medicinal monomer is effective for 60Co-gamma-induced spermatogenic disturbance in mice, and the compound suspension of resveratrol + LBP + icariin produces the best result.

Association of acute kidney injury and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 in Shenzhen, China: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) was found in some patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and accompanied with poor outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of AKI with clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: In this cohort study, we reviewed electronic medical data from patients with COVID-19 in Shenzhen from January 11 to February 19, 2020. Clinical features and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients with and without AKI were analyzed. Further, we evaluated the association between AKI development and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: In this study, 9.6% patients developed AKI during hospitalization. Those with AKI presented older age, severer pneumonia, more comorbidity and lower lymphocyte count. Totally, more patients (77.5%) had primary composite outcomes (intensive care unit (ICU) admission, use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and mechanical ventilation) in AKI group compared to non-AKI group (2.9%) during the observation period. The median length of stay (LOS) and ICU stay were longer among those with AKI. After adjusted for related covariates, AKI development was independently correlated with LOS (ß (95% CI): 9.16 (3.87-14.46)), rather than primary outcomes (HR (95% CI): 1.34 (0.56-3.21)) in COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The development of AKI was not one of the reasons for ICU admission, use of HFNC and mechanical ventilation, but a kind of manifestation of severe illness in COVID-19 hospitalized patients.